Posted by Michael(KCMO) on March 19, 2004 at 21:16:56:
They were already on the home. To rent a wheel would’ve been $35, I think. Don’t know what it would’ve been to rent an axle. At the time it was done my set-up guy said the home had one of the widest frames they made and the axles and from this particular home would be good ones to have. So now the axles and tires sit outside behind my garage - ready for whenever they might be needed. 
Buying a toter - Posted by Dan(MD)
Posted by Dan(MD) on March 17, 2004 at 21:06:59:
Of the 14 homes I bought last year, 10 have been moves from other parks for a total bill to my mover for $17,310 (OUCH, that’s the first time I’ve looked that number up). I have a deal with him for $1200.00 a move which is about half price, but it’s still eating into my profits.
So I have been thinking about buying a toter (trying to follow KenS’ example).
What kind of licencing would I need if I bought a toter, a CDL?
What kind of insurance would I need?
What about crossing state lines? transporting on freeways? fees at weigh stations?
Would I need a trail vehicle with a WIDE LOAD sign?
I’ve never driven a commercial truck (though I have a lot of exp with a F-250 hauling a VERY large horse trailer, not quite the same but better than nothing I guess)
What’s the downside to buying one?
I’m planning on moving 1-2 homes a month right now using my current mover, but I could double that if I did my own moves.
I have been doing all the tear down and the build up of the homes (part of the reason why I’ve been getting a discount with my mover), so the labor side of it doesn’t bother me, just the licencing, purchase price, maintenance and insurance.
Thanks
Dan
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by KenS(WV)
Posted by KenS(WV) on March 19, 2004 at 07:13:17:
Dan,
The biggest thing besides the cost of the toter is insurance. You will pay anywhere from about $16-33K for a good toter. You probably want a 6 way hitch which is what pushes the price up to the higher end (they cost 15K by themselves). Insurance is around $700 per month. Add in fuel, apportionments, and taxes and it will cost about $2-3K just to get the thing on the road.
If you are going to drive outside the state of MD then you will have to get your federal transport licenses (USDOT and MCC). You will be audited for safety and record keeping. At the end of each month you must do fuel tax reporting if you drive across state boundries.
Next, you must have a driver that will drive the oversize loads. When I first advertised it was impossible to find one. First, most truck drivers don’t like to get out of the drivers seat. Hauling a MH requires some manual effort to hook up, move, and set a home. It took a while to find the right people to be my driver’s.
As for escorts, you must typically have 2, one in front and one in back, for non-4 lane roads. If you drive in VA, then the escorts must be certified by the state.
To really make buying a toter worth the cost, you must decide to really get into the toter business all the way. Down time costs will kill you because of the heavy fixed costs in this business. I have a full time person that just pulls the permits, does the scheduling, and processes all the reporting for the toter business.
Hope this helps you with your analysis.
Good luck,
Ken
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Gary
Posted by Gary on March 18, 2004 at 21:49:26:
I’d look for another mover. I’m paying probally an average of $400.00 a move. I almost bought a cheap one a while back but the seller reniged on equipment that he had said would go with it. You can’t do it all and this way he has all the responsibility.
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Michael (KCMO)
Posted by Michael (KCMO) on March 18, 2004 at 06:56:43:
Just one quick observation . . . I’ve only moved one home but my costs varied quite a bit from what you said you’re paying. The tear down and set-up were about $1,100 while the actual move w/ the toter was only about $450. I don’t know how far you’re moving yours or what size they are so that probably is a factor. Mine was a 16X60 being moved about 60 miles.
Here in FL… - Posted by Greg Meade
Posted by Greg Meade on March 18, 2004 at 06:53:22:
insurance is 800 per month. If you cross state lines that number goes up dramatically. I, too, would love to own my own…cost is prohibitive for my small operation. I only move 6-7 per month at average cost of 3-400 each. To keep a driver busy, i would have to farm him out. Perhaps I will buy one this year if biz continues to expand. KenS can sure fill in the blanks!
Greg
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by DougO_NM
Posted by DougO_NM on March 18, 2004 at 06:52:21:
I think you’ve got a pretty good list of things that you need to look into. It’s been my observation over the years that if you want to do this, you need to do it with the intention of making it a business of it’s own. You can be it’s primary customer, and the other business should pay the overhead. I know a family that had been in the business YEARS and now sells MH parts and supplies. If you are interested, he might be willing to talk to you about it. Let me know and I can hook you up
Best regards,
Doug
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Michael (KCMO)
Posted by Michael (KCMO) on March 18, 2004 at 06:41:35:
Just one quick observation . . . I’ve only moved one home but my costs varied quite a bit from what you said you’re paying. The tear down and set-up were about $1,100 while the actual move w/ the toter was only about $450. I don’t know how far you’re moving yours or what size they are so that probably is a factor. Mine was a 16X60 being moved about 60 miles.
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Joe C. (AR)
Posted by Joe C. (AR) on March 17, 2004 at 22:44:21:
From what I’ve been told the insurance is the killer. You’ll need the CDL or a driver with one. In most states there are also “permit” fees for oversize loads. Each state has there own “special” requirements as well covering flag cars, sinage etc. I would check the insurance costs before anything else. Don’t forget, KenS plans to haul for others as well, probably to offset costs as well as make a profit. I had a toter in the early 70’s when 12x70 was the biggest thing out there. I was too young and stupid to be concerned with most regulations and the perils involved. Things have changed dramatically since then. I don’t think I’d do it today, but good luck, whatever you decide.
Joe C.
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Dan(MD)
Posted by Dan(MD) on March 19, 2004 at 08:13:10:
Thanks for the feedback Ken, this is the stuff that I was looking for…things that you just don’t know about when you start looking into buying a toter…
This pretty much makes the case against buying a toter, I don’t have the ability to make it into a full time business for several reasons so I think I’m going to look into changing what servicing I get from my current mover.
Thanks
Dan
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Dan(MD)
Posted by Dan(MD) on March 18, 2004 at 08:31:18:
$450 a move? I’d love it if I could get it down that low. I’m only moving homes about 50 miles right now but I’ll be increasing that this spring/summer out to 180 miles or so (and my mover wants an addition $500-$800 for the extra mileage) that is why I’m considering a toter.
btw when I said break down and set up, my mover does the unblocking/blocking and leveling, maybe I’ll do that myself to help reduce the costs.
Thanks
Dan
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Scott (MI/OH)
Posted by Scott (MI/OH) on March 18, 2004 at 06:25:28:
Joe C.
I’m in the process of setting up a transport company to supplement my business. I contacted my states dept. of transportation and got all the regulations, I ran an ad that said I was looking for Driver/Supervisor (and make sure you pay a fair wage)with MH set up exp. (they are out there), and also ran an ad for a helper with reliable transportation, as they will use this as the follower. I have found that permits are affordable and I wrap them into the cost of moving homes. Here’s to your success!!!
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by cmiller
Posted by cmiller on March 19, 2004 at 08:51:15:
Dan,
Where is your money better spent? Doing deals or crawling under trailers. I remember reading about a thread that Doc commented on; it had to do with deaths resulting in people who got crushed leveling trailers.
Me, well I’d rather pay for labor than do it myself. Just my .02, and worth every penny you paid for my advide 
Good luck,
Clint
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by Michael (KCMO)
Posted by Michael (KCMO) on March 18, 2004 at 21:31:45:
yeah, when I said I paid $450 for moving, that was for the move ONLY - back up, hook up, pull, back in, drop, done. Blocking, leveling, etc . . . was part of the $1,100 paid to the tear down/set-up guy.
Re: Buying a toter - Posted by ScottM (NC)
Posted by ScottM (NC) on March 19, 2004 at 07:31:44:
Michael,
Just curious…what about the wheels and axles. Were they on already or does the $450 include their install and use until it is set up again?
Scott
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