RV Delivery Services to Help You Relocate Your Travel Trailer with Ease

Patrick MacFarland Patrick MacFarland · Updated May 31, 2023

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An RV delivery service transporting a vehicle on an Italian highway.

Ah, the great outdoors! Whether going for a walk or trekking to a national park to enjoy the woods and scenery, the outdoors is nature’s palace. RV road trips are a staple of good ol’ Americana. There are many reasons why you would buy an RV in the first place. That ultimate RV road trip when you retire is one, or maybe you just like camping and taking the RV to a national park is something you like doing on weekends.

Whatever your reason, you may be in need of hauling or relocating your travel trailer to another destination. If you just bought one, but the RV is located somewhere else, then you may need to hire a company to ship it to where you live. Or maybe you’re moving, and you need to ship all of your belongings to your new home and you don’t have enough hands and feet to do it yourself.

Hiring an RV delivery company is a smart thing to do and something becoming more popular, too. What we’ll do in this article is give you the ins and outs of how that process works, what to look after and some alternative and affordable solutions for your RV transportation needs.

Benefits of RV Delivery Services

There are several methods of RV shipping. You can always do it yourself and haul that trailer, but it takes time and sometimes it can cost more money than it should. The other method is hiring an RV delivery service to do it for you. The bottom line, it’s easier and more convenient with this option, but let’s take a look at why.

Convenience: A Time-Saving Solution for RV Owners

Reason #1 to use an RV delivery company to haul your RV to another location: convenience. Let’s face it, it takes time to drive your RV somewhere else. Sometimes you may not be able to due to work. Sometimes it’s just a hassle getting it to the new location because you have to traverse tough terrain. Maybe you just want to explore Yosemite National Park without having to drive to Yosemite and back. It saves you time by hiring a professional RV hauling company.

Cost-Effective: Saving Money in the Long Run

Reason #2 to use an RV delivery company to transport your beloved Rhonda Vee somewhere else: cost-effective. The reality of the matter is that hiring a professional for your RV hauling is actually cost-effective. According to NerdWallet, RV delivery is becoming more popular with people preferring to have the RV delivered instead of doing treacherous drives in tough terrain. They end up saving the money of the gas, accommodations and other factors by doing the simple hire and delivery service. In the long run, it could save you thousands of dollars by going this route.

Reduced Wear and Tear: Protecting Your Investment

Reason #3 to use an RV delivery service to transport your RV to another destination: you protect your investment. The RV you bought was expensive. According to Camper Report, the average cost of an RV can be between $30,000 to $300,000 depending on the model and type of RV. That is quite an expensive investment. By hiring a professional RV hauler, you cut down on the wear and tear of your vehicle, ensuring you don’t spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on replacement parts. At the end of the day, you protect your RV.

Finding the Best RV Hauler for your Needs

There are three types of RV hauling methods available. The one you choose is ultimately up to you, however there are some limitations based on the RV you have. Let’s take a look at the types of RVs and the three methods of hauling them.

Determine the Type of RV Hauler You Need Based on Your RV’s Size and Weight

Based on your RV’s size and weight, you will need a particular RV hauler. Not all shipping companies may have the hauler that you need for your RV, so you have to know the dimensions and type of RV you have.

There are many types of RV. Which one do you own?

  • Lightweight Trailer
  • Travel Trailer
  • Fifth Wheel
  • Toy Hauler
  • Expandable Trailer
  • Class A Motorhome
  • Class B Camper Van
  • Class C Motorhome

Based on the type of travel trailer you have, you will need to haul it using one of only three methods.

Method 1: Drive-Away Shipping

Drive-away shipping is basically just what it sounds like. When you hire an RV shipping company, a driver will usually arrive to take your RV to where you want it relocated. The RV of course has to be operational and in good condition for it to be driven by a professional RV hauler.

Method 2: Flatbed Shipping

This type of shipping involves a truck with a flatbed. The RV goes on the flatbed and sometimes there’s multiple RVs the truck is hauling (which can definitely make your RV shipping costs decrease). This method is also usually used for more long distance moves, whereas drive away shipping is more short distance relocations. With this method, it might take longer for the delivery to arrive.

Method 3: Tow-Away Shipping

Tow-away shipping is just what it sounds like. A truck with specialized equipment will tow your RV to its new location. This type of shipping method is more safe than the others. Because of this, it’s also quite pricier than the other methods. The cost of transporting will also depend on the RV’s size, weight, dimensions and other factors.

Cost Shipping Factors

There are various factors that affect the cost of shipping your beloved RV to another location. Let’s take a look at what they are.

The factors include:

  • Distance
  • Location-specific variables
  • Method of shipment
  • Size, model, weight and dimensions of RV
  • The vehicle’s condition
  • Season or time of year
  • Cost of gas
  • Requests for expedited shipping
  • Additional services

Research and Compare Different RV Delivery Companies

In order to find the best RV Hauler in your area, you have to do some research. It’s best to start online and get as many companies on your browser as possible. Read each one and take notes to determine which one you like best. There are some qualities to look after.

  • The best RV delivery service is one where they can take any type of RV.
  • It’s important that all RV delivery services adhere to the rules and regulations required by the federal and state governments and if one does not, steer clear of them even if their price is lower.
  • Communication is essential for your peace of mind. If the RV delivery company provides regular updates, that’s a good sign.
  • Excellent customer service means that the RV delivery company will take care of your trusted second home as if it were their own.

And here are some tips of which RV delivery companies to avoid:

  • Make sure they don’t add surprise hidden fees. Have them give you a final quote before you begin the process.
  • Know the scams these fake RV delivery companies like to practice: the lowest price scams, the price switch scams and the hidden free scams.
  • These fake delivery companies look trustworthy. Do your research to ensure it’s a legitimate company.

Check for Licenses, Insurance and Permits

A reputable RV delivery company will have its appropriate licenses and permits to do what they’re being hired to do. They are registered with the appropriate government agencies, as well. It’s smart to look for their licenses and registration on their website. This is a good way to weed out the fake RV delivery companies from the real ones.

A good RV company should also have a strong insurance policy. While accidents are rare, having your RV covered by the required insurance amounts gives you peace of mind that in a worse-case scenario, you’ll be compensated.

Getting a Quote for RV Shipping

Once you’ve done your research and you have whittled down the number of companies from a million to about five, it’s time to send out quotes. Make sure you have the information of your RV handy to plug it in and give the companies the requested info.

Requesting Free Shipping Estimates or Quotes

When you have your list of five reputable companies on your browser, start requesting free shipping estimates or quotes. Some companies may charge you for a quote (so just avoid them). The company’s website may also have an option to punch in your RV’s information and transport needs on a form page.

What comes next is the companies will start to send out estimates or quotes to you. At that time, you have to do some research on which company you will ultimately choose.

Comparing Multiple RV Shipping Companies

When you have multiple RV shipping companies that you are looking for, the best thing to do is compare them to see which one fits your needs the most. If you follow these tips below, you’ll make your decision faster and be satisfied that you made the right choice.

Read Reviews and Testimonials from Previous Customers

RV Shipping Company Experience

RVs are vehicles that must be taken care of properly, including when it comes to transporting them.

  • The best RV shipping companies have years of experience transporting the vehicles.
  • They have a proven track record of successfully providing domestic RV shipping services.

Customized Shipping Solutions Offered by RV Haulers

The best RV haulers will offer customized shipping to their customers. For example, when you use CitizenShipper, you can chat with transporters before booking to make sure every detail is hammered out.

  • You may want to ship your RV during a particular time of year.
  • You may want your RV transported in a certain way.
  • When customization is possible, it means the RV shipping company cares about its customers.

Alternative Solutions

If you find yourself in a pickle because the traditional RV delivery companies are too expensive, don’t fret! There is an alternative solution to your problem. One where there won’t be hidden fees, where the quotes will be more affordable and where everything will be safe and reliable.

Consider using an RV transport marketplace like CitizenShipper. Because multiple transporters compete for your business, you may be able to find rates that aren’t offered by traditional RV haulers. Posting a listing and receiving quotes is easy:

  1. Create a listing on CitizenShipper. Simply add your contact info, the details about your RV, the pick-up and drop-off locations and your preferred transport dates. It’s free to post a listing!
  2. Your listing is visible to a network of vehicle transportation professionals. Every driver on CitizenShipper has passed a stringent background check.
  3. The drivers submit bids on your listing — usually bids are submitted within minutes! It’s free to look over your quotes, chat with drivers and read reviews.
  4. When you choose the driver you like best, you can book your trip!

We pride ourselves in having excellent customer service and making RV delivery run safe, seamless and stress-free. Your second home, that beloved Rhonda Vee, will be in good hands with our qualified transporters, who can provide frequent updates through our internal messaging system.

Navigate to the RV transport page, plug in your RV’s info and get quotes faster than being stuck in the mud during a thunderstorm!