Moving from one house to another can be a tremendous undertaking, especially when you consider all the belongings, tools, and vehicles that need to go. While it might be fun to drive your RV to its new location and enjoy the journey, it might not always make sense. Maybe it is too far or you don’t have the time. Or maybe you have decided to head overseas! In this case, shipping your RV might be the best solution.
Different Ways to Ship an RV Across the Country
Whether you’re shipping your RV within the U.S. or overseas, shipping a vehicle weighing up to 9,000 pounds is certainly not easy. You must be familiar with the requirements and costs of importing an RV into a new state. What happens if your RV gets damaged during the transportation process? Or what should you do if your RV needs repairs? As you can see, there’s a lot to think about.
There are three main types of RV shipping services:

- Flatbed services – Flatbed services, as the name implies, use a truck with a flatbed on which your RV would be placed. A larger truck hauls the flatbed trailer, which can carry various loads, from cargo to heavy and bulky vehicles.
- Tow-away services – These require a towing truck, which will tow your RV like a trailer. The towing company would have to use special professional equipment, which varies according to the type and size of the towed vehicle.
- Drive-away services – Drive-away services refer to hiring a professional driver to drive your RV to the desired destination personally. This type of transportation doesn’t require additional vehicles or professional equipment.
There are other types of trailers you can use to ship your RV across the country. These include step-deck trailers, low-boy trailers, extendable drop trailers, and vessel trailers.
The best way to ship your RV across the country is by hiring an RV transportation company. The best transportation companies offer all three shipping services, letting you choose. The trick is to find the right RV carrier that can meet all your needs and fit into your budget.
Before You Ship Your RV Across the Country
Depending on your destination, it usually takes eight to 11 days to ship an RV across the country. Make sure to hire a carrier a few weeks in advance. This also gives you plenty of time to prepare your RV for the transfer and the entire move as well.
There are many things that you can do to make the entire RV shipping process easier for your family and the moving company. The trick is to prepare in advance and break down the preparation process into smaller tasks. These are some of the things you can do before you ship your RV across the country:

- Make sure the latches on all doors, windows, and cabinets are secured.
- Check if your tow bar and hitch are in good condition.
- All the appliances and non-essential electronic devices inside the RV must be turned off.
- If there is anything hanging on the walls inside the RV, these items must be taken down.
- Don’t forget to disconnect the gas line and the power supply.
- Examine the fluid levels and make sure there are no leaks.
- Check if the battery is working.
- Make sure the brakes are working well.
- Inspect the tires and wheels and replace them if necessary.
- Remove any personal or important items from the RV to make sure they don’t get damaged.
- All the signal lights must be working properly.
By doing many of these tasks, you will make sure your RV remains in good condition during the entire transportation process. Another thing you can do is prepare a list of instructions to give to the carrier company or driver in case something should go wrong.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship an RV Across the Country?
The cost of shipping RV’s across the country varies depending on several factors. The most important ones include the distance between the starting point and the endpoint and the size and weight of your RV. Other factors that can influence the total price include the time of the year, current gas prices, the condition of your RV, and the current demand for vehicle shipping.
Most carriers charge by the mile. Keep in mind that some vehicle shipping companies may offer special discounts for long-distance moves. In other words, the further you go, the less the price per mile will be. For instance, if your new home is 100 miles away, one mile usually costs $3 to $4. However, if the destination is more than 100 miles away, shipping your RV can cost $1 to $3 per mile.
Many vehicle transportation companies offer free quotes, so you’ll have a general idea about the total price, and you’ll be able to plan your budget accordingly.
Shipping an RV Overseas
The most common method of shipping an RV overseas is the roll-on roll-off method, which is otherwise known as “RoRo” vehicle shipping. It requires a vessel that’s especially used for shipping wheeled cargo across the seas. Since you will need to drive your RV into the vessel, the vehicle needs to be in working condition. You can also ship your RV to the port, which is referred to as the port-to-port method.
Another option is a flat-rack container, which is similar to a flatbed truck. Since a flatbed container can hold up to 88,000 pounds, you will be able to store more items inside your RV. On the other hand, container shipping is more expensive than the RoRo method.
Since you’re shipping your RV overseas, this process will naturally require more time and money. The price is usually based on the size of your RV, in which case, one foot can cost $100 to $300. So, for example, if your RV has 30 square feet, it can cost from $3,000 to $9,000 to ship it overseas.
Leave It to the Carriers
Hiring a vehicle transport company to ship your RV across the country is the best and most stress-free solution. You can choose from various shipment methods and get an estimate of the total price. Most importantly, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing your RV is in safe hands. You can find more information about how to prepare your RV for a move and how to ship it across the country at The Virtual Campground. You’ll find various blog posts, forums, and real stories of people who are living the RV life full.
Guest blogger, Chris Ward has always been an avid camper since a very young age. He enjoyed fishing and camping with his family as a kid and continues to take yearly camping trips. His favorite part of camping is sitting around the campfire with good company taking in the fresh air.
Leave a Reply