Seeking experienced driver to tow our art car

[caroline]

Looking for a driver with experience towing heavy/large loads to tow our art car to and from Burning Man, from the SF Bay Area.

We own a Big Tex trailer that can be used. The art car and trailer combined weigh 6,600 lbs, and the total length is 29 ft.

PM me for more details, and we'll work something out. Thank you!


-Caroline

[gyre]

What is your tow vehicle?

[mgb327]

It appears that is what they are looking for........

[caroline]

To clarify, we can provide the trailer but cannot provide the truck/tow vehicle.

[Captain Goddammit]

This isn't to be "snarky" or anything, but I've been wondering - who has a trailer like that but nothing to pull it with??

Really this is the hidden expense and logistic issue with bringing a Mutant Vehicle to Burning Man - first you have to be able to haul it!

[caroline]

Trailer was gifted to us, in previous years we have used a rental truck to tow it but this year we're looking for other options.

[Captain Goddammit]

Aha, ok. Thanks, it's none of my business but it was driving me nuts trying to figure out how that could happen

[Savannah]

[Token]

I wish you luck on this quest.

You might get some more traction if you post what reasonable expenses and incentive you can offer for this type of service.

Us guys and galls that invested big into rigs that can tow understand very well what towing does to our beloved workhorses and paying for gas is likely not gonna get it done.

If anyone offers to tow with 1/2 ton truck (1500 anything), say no. Doesn't meet the 'experienced' or 'smart' qualification.

And finally, if you find the right person with the right truck and they don't insist you trailer gets inspected, services, greased, re-bearing-ed, and get a new set of break pads and possibly new tires, walk away.

[Savannah]

Note: The OP fully expects to compensate the driver, but she cannot list the financial aspect publicly.

If anyone is interested, please send her a PM with your questions.

[GreyCoyote]

Is the trailer a bumper-pull or a 5th wheel?

[Captain Goddammit]

You can tow a 6600 pound trailer with a decent half-ton truck.
Sure a 3/4 or 1-ton is better.
I'd want a weight-distributing hitch (I even use one on my 1-ton dually crew-cab where I don't really need to) and I'd definitely want the trailer brakes in good shape.

[MikeGyver]

Is the trailer a bumper-pull or a 5th wheel?

She(?) said they usually pull it with a rental truck so I would guess it is bumper-pull. Pretty hard to find Goose-neck/5th wheel trucks to rent.

[Token]

You can tow a 6600 pound trailer with a decent half-ton truck.

Sure you can, did it for years and chewed up 2 transmissions in the process. Even on a truck with 4.10:1 final drive.

Then I got smart and went big diesel with and Allison.

Anyway, just giving the OP some info to consider and evaluate all the risks.

SF to playa means Donner Pass, and that hill eats transmissions like nobody's business.

Did they finish the construction on I80 yet?

[Dr. Pyro]

The very least you can offer is to pay for their gas to and from the playa. That's what we do, but then again we're not a bunch of beggers.

[Savannah]

Note: The OP fully expects to compensate the driver, but she cannot list the financial aspect publicly.

If anyone is interested, please send her a PM with your questions.

HEY EVERYBODY HEY.

She is happy to compensate the driver, but she cannot list prices on ePlaya.

Thank you.

[Captain Goddammit]

I disagree with putting out a blanket statement that no 1/2 ton trucks are suitable for that trailer.
My last 1/2 ton, typical of the old manual-trans trucks, had the same bullet-proof NP435 manual trans that my 1 ton dually has. It even had the big radiator, because it was a big-block truck.
A 1/2 ton with a light-duty automatic trans run at full throttle up hills with a heavy trailer will cook itself, sure.
They're not all the same. The right one would have no problem at all.

[caroline]

Hi Everyone!

As mentioned above, we are offering great compensation- PM me and I will provide all of the details. I had details listed in the post, but it was removed by the moderators.

We fully understand this is a big job, and puts wear on the truck used to tow the car. If you have experience towing large loads but do not have a vehicle to use, PM me and we can likely work something out.

The trailer is a tandem axle car trailer, bumper-pull style.