How to ship an RV across Canada can be a mystery since it’s something most people do rarely. This guide will show what you need to consider to get the best price for transporting an RV, camper, trailer, or boat across Canada. Not all services are the same and there are ways to reduce the cost and get better service.
Ready to ship your RV? Call Red Foot Haulers at 1-800-492-7713 to get a quick quote and all of your transport questions answered. We look forward to speaking with you, thanks!
Know Your Shipping Options
Depending on your specific type of RV, you will have several options available to you.
These are the different types of RVs you may be trying to ship:
- Motorhomes
- Camper van
- Fifth-wheel trailers
- Camper trailers
- Pop-up trailer / camper
- Teardrop trailer
- Class A, B, or C RV
Tow Behind a Truck
Trailer-type RVs such as campers and fifth wheels have the option of being towed behind a suitable truck.
This is typically the fastest and least expensive option since there are more trucks available to transport these units.
The main consideration for this to be a good option is that the trailer must be road-worthy with good tires, axels, and bearings.
If the RV has been sitting for a long time then we suggest having the vehicle looked at by a mechanic and having these parts replaced, if necessary.
It’s worth doing because if you intend to use the RV you would need to have this done anyway before using the trailer.
Some may not prefer this option because of the mileage and wear and tear that would be added to the vehicle.
This is usually the least expensive and quickest option for those who would like their vehicle transported as quickly as possible.
Load on a flat deck trailer
The best option when transporting your RV is to load the vehicle on top of a flat deck truck or “low boy” step-deck trailer.
These are flat deck trailers that are low enough to the ground so that the RV can be rolled on and off the trailer when loading / unloading.
RVs that cannot roll freely will need to be loaded with a forklift, crane, or other equipment. This would factor into the cost and make transport more expensive.
Sometimes an RV cannot be transported by flat deck trailer because they are too tall or oversized.
An oversized trailer is more expensive to transport because they require extra permits from each province.
An RV that is too tall will need to be rerouted to avoid low bridges and overpasses. This adds extra mileage to the transport which results in a higher cost, due to the extra driving time and fuel costs.
When Red Foot Haulers gives you a shipping quote, we factor in all taxes, fuel cost, and fees into the quote. This way you can get a professional and completely insured service for a simple all-in price.
Have your RV professionally driven by commercial driver
Some RVs are extremely large and towing or loading them on a trailer is unpractical and costly. Very large RVs such as tour buses would fit this description.
Therefore, some choose to have their RV driven by a commercial driver. The driver would need to be compensated for their time and travel expenses to and from the pickup and delivery locations.
Ready to ship your RV? Call Red Foot Haulers at 1-800-492-7713 to get a quick quote and all of your transport questions answered. We look forward to speaking with you, thanks!
Timeframe for Shipping Your RV
The final big factor will be your schedule for shipping the RV. Generally, being flexible will result in a better rate than being in a hurry.
Transport carriers have their own schedules for moving vehicles. This impacts what kind of equipment is available and where that equipment is located.
Transport companies want to operate their trucks as efficiently as possible, therefore they schedule their shipments to minimize fuel costs and a driver’s time on the road.
If you are very flexible with your schedule it will result in lower prices. However, if you are willing to pay more, transport companies may able to change the schedule to get you faster service.
Plan to book your transport at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
If you want to get ahead of other orders and have a more secure timeframe, plan to book your shipment 3-5 weeks before your intended pick up date.
Depending on the distance, you would then want to add several days, up to 10-14 days, for your vehicle to be transported.
These are the main considerations you will want to keep in mind to get the best service (and best prices) when shipping your RV, boat, camper, or trailer.