Just purchased 46 Dodge Flatbed on ebay

[David Maxwell]

Sort of an impulse, but should actually be practical if I can get it running quickly. Tough part is I need to get it shipped here (Santa Maria, CA) from Nebraska. Anyone know of a good shipping option for this?

Thanks!

David

[PatS....]

Fly out and drive it home???

[oldmopar]

What model size is it 1.5-2 ton? Looks bigger then my 46 wd21 (1 ton). No real help on transport but you could try posting check over at the power wagon forum

http://www.dodgepowerwagon.com/wwwboard/index.html

[builtfercomfort]

There are just two ways of doing this semi-economically, the 1-person / flatbed / open trailer method, or the car hauler that tries to get a number of cars together on a trip. Hiring a helicopter is just not so efficient, and the winds blow the wrong direction for a huge cargolifter hot air balloon.

Back in 1989 I paid lots of money for a car hauler to bring me a running car, a classic mercedes benz from Calif. They parked it so there was something rubbing against the oil pan, all the oil leaked out, ruined the motor driving it off the trailer. A huge hassle, got my car insurance to cover part of it but the hauler was worse than useless.

There is a good review site, check out http://www.transportreviews.com/ - read the negative reviews from the highest rated companies, they are all the same. They company you deal with is a broker, it takes a deposit (I think that is their cut) and the remainder is COD (not credit cards, not checks, cash). They try to find a reputable hauler, but it's partly a crap shoot. Of course the better companies have better brokers who try to do more when something goes wrong, but it's out of their control. Many of the hauler seem to lie about the insurance they have.

Things I learned reading the reviews:

• The closer the car is to a major east-west interstate, the better chance you will have - they send it out for bid so add this distance to description if you can.
  
• If it runs it will cost less, so they can drive it on and off the hauler (which is a danger point, tired truck drivers moving your car to get to someone else's don't care about damage)
  
• Be flexible on the time, it's 'within a week or two' timing.
  
• Pick a highly rated firm with recent good scores and cross your fingers.
  

I ended up paying more for a single car hauler (BenD for those who know him from the HAMB) but he mostly works the midwest-to-east coast routes.

[greg g]

Well that looks like it has some character. Very solid looking vehicle. If it were mine, I would get it mechanically sound and leave it looking just the way it is. Mabe sime new planks for the flat bed. That is a really neat looking old truck.

Drive the P15 over to Neb, load it up on the back of the truck. Then drive the truck home. Everybody will be so busy looking at your beautiful car, they won't notice the truck is unregistered.

[rearview]

Glad someone here got that one. I had my eyes on it too, but had no way to get it home safely.

Bob

[kevinanderson]

David

There is a web site, can't think of it now, that hooks people wanting to transport things up with truckers with empty loads or just people traveling in a certain direction and just hauling for a few extra bux. There were anything from pets, cars, furniture you name it. I was surfing and ran across it just a couple of weeks ago. Looked like a cool way of doing cheap shipping. Now that I think of, there were a shipping companies that actually bid low for jobs.

And before anyone says anything, check it before jumping in.

[Plymouthy Adams]

truckers.com I think it was or something to that effect...allows you to view truckers in the area of your consignment..even breaks it down into those who car car haulers...you place you consignment and window of deliverly...they solicit bids to you...

[BobT-47P15]

David.....you might check with Ben D on the HAMB. He lives not far from here in Crane, MO and hauls vehicular stuff around the country for people. Think he has a flatbed truck with a trailer. Whether he can take anything big as the item you bought might be another question.

This link will take you to his hamb profile and you can PM him for info.

No idea on cost. He sometimes waits till he has a full load to make the run.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=96

[David Maxwell]

I haven't decided on a method yet, so please, keep the suggestions coming!!

To those who suggested I drive it home, I would wholeheartedly agree except for one small thing; it's not running Oh well, I have my master mechanic friend lined up to help me and he swears we'll have it running in under 48 hours Of course I have to get it here first

I will check out the links and sources provided so far.

Thanks!!!

[Brendan D25]

Congratulations on your new purchase David. Looks like we will have another interesting restoration to follow. Brendan.

[bob_amos]

Proof positive the the "Bay" can be addicting. David, Margie asks, "What does Lydia think about it?" Personally, I think it's cool but what in the world are you going to do with it?

[splat1955]

Hey David,

How long you lived in Santa Maria...I lived there for about 22 years before moving up here to Northern Cal 5 1/2 years ago. Grew up and graduated in Lompoc....lived in Santa Barbara, Isla Vista and Goleta for a lot of years....even Casmalia for a year or two. Los Alamos, Nipomo too. Anyway, I get down there from time to time, still have some family in the area. I plan on driving my '48 Dodge that way, hopefully soon, before winter on it's maiden " long " run. Anyway, good to see someone here from the place I still call home.

Brian

[greg g]

Here is the email for the fellow who says he is a rust trucker by profession;

mailto:tandatransport@gmail.com

[David Maxwell]

...hauling, bringing building supplies and moving a 5000 gal. water tank from my father's home in Santa Barbara to my lot. Aside from that, it's just cool!

Brian, you and I seem to have lived in nearly all the same spots. I started my California life at age 3 in Lompoc. Moved onto base (my father was a Lt. Col. at VAFB) for a couple of years and then my father retired. We moved to Goleta where I spent the next 13 years. Then it was to Santa Barbara where I graduated from high school. Moved with my wife to Chico for 4 years then back to Goleta and Santa Barbara. We then bought our home in Orcutt just south of Santa Maria where we have lived for the past 20 years. I bought some property in Tehachapi a few years ago and have been slowly preparing it to build our eventual retirement home. That's some ways off though lol. If you're coming through Santa Maria, shoot me an email a couple of days in advance. It would be great to see you and your 48.

[Jeff Ivan]

Nice truck, body looks in great condition. You would rarely if ever find one that nice and rust-free here in SW PA. We can't wait to see the new tattoo!

[Don Coatney]

David;

Best make several trips with the water as I dont think your truck will haul 20 tons:D

Are you going to give this truck the same treatment as you gave your P-15 or just make it a dependable driver?

[splat1955]

Hey Dave......Yeah, guess we are old SB County boys. I know Orcutt real well....and VAFB....my father was a missle planner for McDonnel Douglas. Have you ever been out to Jalama Beach? You must have if you were in Lompoc. My family lived on Jalama Rd from the time we moved into the area....I think I was just a couple months old. Anyway, my parents finally moved off of Jalama Ranch about 10 years ago....been out there for over 40 years. I'll get in touch via email before I make the trip down! Would love to see your new old truck.

...hauling, bringing building supplies and moving a 5000 gal. water tank from my father's home in Santa Barbara to my lot. Aside from that, it's just cool!

Brian, you and I seem to have lived in nearly all the same spots. I started my California life at age 3 in Lompoc. Moved onto base (my father was a Lt. Col. at VAFB) for a couple of years and then my father retired. We moved to Goleta where I spent the next 13 years. Then it was to Santa Barbara where I graduated from high school. Moved with my wife to Chico for 4 years then back to Goleta and Santa Barbara. We then bought our home in Orcutt just south of Santa Maria where we have lived for the past 20 years. I bought some property in Tehachapi a few years ago and have been slowly preparing it to build our eventual retirement home. That's some ways off though lol. If you're coming through Santa Maria, shoot me an email a couple of days in advance. It would be great to see you and your 48.

[Plymouthy Adams]

David..your truck is very much like the one I have looked at here near the house..still available as I see it daily as I go to and fro work..it has the two speed rear gear also...I would love to find a wrecked roll back and get the set up to make this into a decent wrecker...to me that would be the ideal set up for my vintage iron I am dragging home all the time.

[David Maxwell]

Jeff, got the next tattoo ready. Just waiting to see if I get picked for LA Ink.

Don, wouldn't that be something? Hauling 20 tons of water LOL! I ain't the smartest man alive, but reckon I'll empty the tank first. As much as I would love to totally restore this puppy (I actually planned that whole process in my head), I don't think I could sell the idea to my wife. She's having enough trouble believing this thing will actually benefit us at our lot. I think it will be really cool having a good working flatbed at the property and, believe me, I've got plenty of work lined up for it.

Brian, love Jalama Ranch and the beach. Yep, spent lots of time there when we lived in Lompoc/VAFB. Still go there on occasion. Our fathers may have crossed paths. My father was an ICBM trainer for the Air Force from `60 to `65.

Tim, I'm not too familiar with this truck yet. I've ordered a manual for it and hope to learn as much as possible before it arrives. Your wrecker idea sounds cool. That's one I don't think my wife would buy. Glad I have the acreage to clear and some boulders to move LOL!

[Paul Beard]

Most car haulers would not be able to haul that truck unless they wanted to put it on the top rear deck and then drop that deck down for clearance. The flat bed is probably to wide to fit inside the frame of the portable parking lot. Would have to be hauled on a flatbed or on a rollback.

[RobertKB]

Lots of people ship vehicles by train. Check it out.

[builtfercomfort]

As for width, a flatbed hauler guy could take off the outer tires and probably get all four wheels on the flatbed of his hauler. His flatbed would probably be about the same width as your '46 Dodge flatbed.

The more I think about it, the more I think a one-man hauler is what you will need to do. Every other option assumes more normal sized vehicles. See what BenD is up to, he sometimes makes west coast runs, or see if he has any suggestions for you.

If I was still young and foolish (and had the time to spare), I'd grease up the front wheel bearings, put the back wheels on a car dolly trailer, and tow it backwards using a U-haul type car dolly. Luckily I'm not that foolish anymore, getting over Wolf Creek Pass that way would be, um, 'interesting'. But with a good strong tow vehicle it could be done.