ted-
Here's a repeat of a post from last month where we were dealing with the cost per mile to transsport a boat from
So. California to Alaska:
I checked the transport service above and they wanted $1064 to transport a vehicle from Barstow to my home in Redding, a distance of 575 miles. This equals $1.85 per mile. It would be quite a bit more for a large trailer, or one with a boat on it. (It's harder to load on a trailer than a vehicle that can be driven on the transporter.)
For purposes of comparison, to do this for someone with a private vehicle, you'd have to divide the 575 miles by , say, 14 miles per gallon, equaling 41 gallons of gas. This fuel would cost you $109 at $2.65 per gallon.
You'd also have to have 10 hours of wages, which at $14.00 (or more) an hour, would equal $140.
And you'd also have to stay at a motel every day on longer trips, equaling $80 or so.
Then there's wear and tear on the tow vehicle and your insurance costs (if you want to figure the ins. into it):
$25,000 vehicle divided by 150,000 miles = $0.18 per mile, and that plus service costs, etc. So 575 miles times 18 cents per mile= $103 + service work and repairs, say = $125.
Cost =$109 +$140 + $80 + $125 = $454, (one way).
The above assumes you're going to get paid both ways (not freewheeling on the return trip. If you have to freewheel it back, figure double the costs, or $908. This equals $1.58 per mile.
That truck transport is startin' to look pretty good!
Joe.