u/derricktysonadams

Hello, traveltrailers Community!

My wife and I recently purchased a 1969 Kencraft M-350. The trailer is in really great condition, and it's location is currently in California, and we are in Washington State.

After all of the pros and cons, and after many conversations about it, I was wanting to know if anyone had any recommendations, insights, thoughts, ideas or even help with getting this trailer towed to us on a flatbed truck, from a trustable source?

There is there broker stuff, and we've gone over this subject quite often. I personally would rather have it towed on a flatbed trailer versus hauled via the road, because I look at that as a protective measure of something that we just purchased, and I don't want to risk any problems otherwise. I know that it would be a massive stress test for a trailer this old, and here are other concerns:

1. Unknown Wheel Bearings: If a dry or worn 55-year-old bearing seizes at 65 mph on I-5, it can tear the axle apart.
2. Tire Integrity: Even if the tires have good tread, old rubber is prone to sudden blowouts at highway speeds, which can rip through the fiberglass or aluminum siding of the wheel wells.
3. Suspension and Frame Fatigue: Decades of sitting or minimal use mean the leaf springs and frame haven't been tested under the sustained bouncing and vibration of a multi-day highway trip.
4. Electrical/Braking: You have no guarantee the trailer brakes or brake lights will sync correctly with your father-in-law's tow vehicle for a thousand-mile mountain journey.

Of course, "saving money" is the main issue, but I feel like paying a little more for flatbed shipping would make it so that 1) I don't have to go down there (which I don't want to do) with my father-in-law to connect it to a truck to be lugged here via the road, and 2) we're protecting our investment.

Any thoughts or ideas? Also, I keep reading negative reviews that make me weary of UShip and places like this, so what other options do I have?

I would appreciate any feedback, whenever time allows! Thank you.

Hello, RVLiving Community!

My wife and I recently purchased a 1969 Kencraft M-350. The trailer is in really great condition, and it's location is currently in California, and we are in Washington State.

After all of the pros and cons, and after many conversations about it, I was wanting to know if anyone had any recommendations, insights, thoughts, ideas or even help with getting this trailer towed to us on a flatbed truck, from a trustable source?

There is there broker stuff, and we've gone over this subject quite often. I personally would rather have it towed on a flatbed trailer versus hauled via the road, because I look at that as a protective measure of something that we just purchased, and I don't want to risk any problems otherwise. I know that it would be a massive stress test for a trailer this old, and here are other concerns:

1. Unknown Wheel Bearings: If a dry or worn 55-year-old bearing seizes at 65 mph on I-5, it can tear the axle apart.

2. Tire Integrity: Even if the tires have good tread, old rubber is prone to sudden blowouts at highway speeds, which can rip through the fiberglass or aluminum siding of the wheel wells.

3. Suspension and Frame Fatigue: Decades of sitting or minimal use mean the leaf springs and frame haven't been tested under the sustained bouncing and vibration of a multi-day highway trip.

4. Electrical/Braking: You have no guarantee the trailer brakes or brake lights will sync correctly with your father-in-law's tow vehicle for a thousand-mile mountain journey.

Of course, "saving money" is the main issue, but I feel like paying a little more for flatbed shipping would make it so that 1) I don't have to go down there (which I don't want to do) with my father-in-law to connect it to a truck to be lugged here via the road, and 2) we're protecting our investment.

Any thoughts or ideas? Also, I keep reading negative reviews that make me weary of UShip and places like this, so what other options do I have?

I would appreciate any feedback, whenever time allows! Thank you.