Long Distance Transport Ideas?

[jjaj823]

Hi all!

My mother finds herself in a situation where her 2000 Gulfstream RV blew a head gasket about 300+ miles from home.

The place it was towed to wants like $10K before parts or anything and says they need to pull the entire engine.

I'm wondering if there is some kind of transport service other than a tow truck that might be available to get it back to the general vicinity of home...my uncle and I can handle the fix, we just can't go to Tennessee to do it

Any options other than a traditional tow truck? Thanks!

[fo4imtippin]

Uship.com. They can put it on a flatbed trailer and haul it like machinery.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

look for any heavy haul or lowboy service.
i know it blew a head gasket but does it still move under its own power?
the last question decides your trailering options?
if its drive able up ramps? or if it needs to be pulled up ramps?
yes a blown head gasket is bad if you know for a fact that is your problem but you can still drive on a trailer if its not to far gone?
if the motor is gone then you will pay more the tow then what the RV is worth?
thats an opinion?
where is momma at and why the top dog price without knowing the true issue of the engine?
what engine?
so many questions?
rebuild or replace makes a difference as well as figuring out the single problem and fixing it?
sounds like the shop is going for everything they can get out of it.
you say you can do it so trailer it home and do it.

[Sehnsucht]

Driveaway companies are those which deliver vehicles that cannot be trailered or it's less cost effective than simply driving them under their own power. Within that market some of them are the ones you see where they have 3-4 trucks piggybacking so only one is actually being driven but all get delivered. The rigging they use for this is a type of tow rig which connects to a semi tractor's fifth wheel and then connects low under the front axle of the towed vehicle. The benefit is the towed vehicle is only a few inches off the ground especially when it's a big sleeper semi which is already near maximum legal height. The same could be said for an RV with the added caveat that too much lift could drag the tail. I'd check into this sort of company either they'll have someone deadheading past where the RV is broke down or at least they'll likely quote you better than a tow truck which will charge you both ways since they have to return home. If you're not in a hurry also time can be on your side and one of these driveaway companies might be able to get to you later but for much cheaper if it's already on their way.

[jjaj823]

Thanks!

I’ll give them a shout.

[La Camioneta]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BlueDevil...lant/145465894

Change the oil if it has coolant mixed in (milky) and follow the instructions

[jjaj823]

Originally Posted by La Camioneta

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BlueDevil...lant/145465894

Change the oil if it has coolant mixed in (milky) and follow the instructions

That's an interesting idea...hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

[LargeMargeInBaja]

Originally Posted by La Camioneta

https://www.walmart.com/ip/BlueDevil...lant/145465894

Change the oil if it has coolant mixed in (milky) and follow the instructions

.
a)
!!! STOP !!!
.
If the head-gasket is bad -- or on some intake-manifolds -- coolant can leak into a cylinder... between the piston and the cylinder-head.
Unlike a gaseous compound -- such as atomized petroleum plus air -- coolant cannot compress.
.
* Attempting to start an engine with coolant trapped in a cylinder can bend at least one connecting-rod... requiring an in-frame re-build of the entire engine, including re-straightening the crank-shaft and replacing all the bushings and bearings.
* Attempting to start an engine with coolant trapped in a cylinder can strip the teeth on the fly-wheel... requiring removal of the transmission to replace the fly-wheel and probably the starter.
.
An automatic transmission uses a flex-plate instead of a fly-wheel; the concept is identical.
.
b)
As a diagnostic:
If I was me, I would remove the injectors.
This opening gives an escape path for any trapped fluid.
I would 'bump' the ignition-switch for a split-second to slightly rotate the engine without starting it.
.
This starter 'bump' could be enough to expel some coolant from a defective area of the innerds.
That gives a beginning for checking the potential for me to dig into it.
.
On a V-8 or V-10 -- gasoline or diesel -- you may be able to repair only one head.
.
c)
There is a reason for the failure.
Unfortunately, the head may need to be re-surfaced or repaired.
.
Worst-Case:
The block may be cracked... requiring another engine?
.
d)
A typical motorhome -- nearing a quarter-century old -- may not be worth repairing.
The industry term is 'Economically Unfeasible'.
.
In that situation, a partially-functional engine has some core value.
An engine with bent rods and a warped crank is pretty much scrap-value at the smelters.
.
The exception would be a Caterpillar 3406 mechanical or a Cummins Big-Cam mechanical... neither are likely in your vintage.