I have a cargo van which I take to the river all the time, but on dirt roads I gotta drive slow or it rattles apart (e.g. max 30-40mph even on good dirt roads.)
I hear the shuttle companies often drive *fast*, 80-100mph - my van would likely get damaged.
So, anyone else ever done the trip with a regular vehicle? Is there a shuttle company that would take appropriate care of my poor van?
Alternatively, is there a way I could just get a ride to Sandwash so I can drive it out myself?
Thanks! It's a one-boat trip and unfortunately I only have one day pre-trip, so I'm struggling a bit with how that would look:
* Launch minus one - Drive to Sandwash (6 hours from here), unload boat and wife, she rigs, I drive to Green River Airport (another 5 hours?), hopefully get a plane
* Launch day - alternate: plane flight AM, rig, launch
* Take-out - organise airport to shuttle van to Swayseys?
It'll all depend on flight availablity - I've emailed them. Plus they have a minimum passenger of 2, so it'd cost me $400+ if there's no other flight to join.
Do you happen to know if the ranger has a particular time they do checks on launch day? (if it can be later in the day that'd give me a little more time)
I have never flown, but might try it for my August 3rd launch, just to mix things up. That being said, I have had great luck with River Runners Transport for multiple trips throughout the area. Call them with your concerns.
Thanks! I just emailed them (no phone here). I've heard good things too, but did hear someone here saying their truck was driven 102mph! Which was part of the reason for this post
We used Dusty at https://rivershuttleus.com/ and they took great care of our vehicles. We arrived at the ramp to vehicles that hadn't been driven hard, and had been armor-alled as well...just my two cents, but his team took great care of us and our rigs for two trips in a row.
-thomas
Fruita, CO
River Runners Transports drove my truck so fast the tail gate on the trailer bounced down and was destroyed being dragged for many miles. So yes, expect it. Desolation is a good place for rugged 4x4 vehicles as with so many western launch sites.
Wow... I've always had a good experience with RRT with no indication of abuse...but this is making me rethink using them. Not sure sure how I missed that thread with all the accounts of speeding and leaving vehicles open or things being stolen by shuttle drivers.
It makes me wonder what they've done to my truck in the past. I've always considered it to just be part of the deal...but now that there are competitors and RRT keeps getting more expensive for the same service... I might have to start looking around a bit more.
I wouldn't mind doing the first part of the shuttle myself...but at least for me its a LONG way out of the way to get someone back to their vehicle after the trip...like 5+ hours and 230 miles extra....so it tends to be worth paying for the shuttle especially if you are carpooling and splitting the cost.
Just realized it said 2wd. Honestly its a bad place for 2wd, especially if it rains. Only been one time but it I had 1 foot berms and big rocks to get over after a storm.
My boat trailer tail board was just fine traveling from Jenks, Oklahoma to Vernal UT, then from Vernal to the Deso put in all driving by me. It did not survive the drive from Deso put in to Deso take out driven by RRT. The board bounced out even tho it had a couple of the short roller bars bolted to it. I thought maybe it was just bad luck that my locking chain broke but maybe not.
On the Deso Put in road (unpaved part) I rarely go over 20 mph some times 10 mph or less.
I like to bring along an old drybag, put a hundred or so pounds of sand in it and lash it to the trailer for some trailer weight for the drive, then just dump it out at the takeout.
I'll admit to a double standard. Unlike some of you....I definitely move at a pretty good pace both on and off road. A pace, admittedly, that I would be unhappy with a shuttle company matching.
It is definitely different when you hire a company to do a shuttle vs. what you do to your own vehicle. If I were working for them driving shuttles...I would treat the customers vehicle MUCH better then I ever would my own and would expect the shuttle driver for the company I hire to do the same.
The flights are usually only in the morning. You can rig up then drive down to green river and catch the plane back up the morning of your launch. I have never did it but when I researched them that’s the only way the offered them.
Last several times I was down there with a trailer, RRT has zip tied every part of my trailer with any potential to rattle, shake or move. First time I was kind of like wth but they are definitely trying to keep things together. Been in the shop a couple times when that day's shuttle crew got back in the van, it was all old ladies. IDK, I don't drive slow myself, just make sure you have half way decent tires and you shouldn't have a problem. If you have concerns or special instructions, just leave the driver a nice note with the tip.
I generally tip 20% and always put it in an envelope with tip written on it and let the shuttle company know where it will be. If a shuttle driver takes $ that does not say tip he/she is risking theft charges. Never leave anything of value in plan sight.
Hey Folks, just a public service reminder that if there are any illegal substances (aka Dope) in the vehicles the driver could be liable in case of a stop and search. And the driver suspects it, your vehicle will not be driven. Please be considerate of your shuttle drivers and don't leave stuff in your vehicle that could get them arrested.
Also, don't leave booze as a tip for the driver - the driver could be someone that's recovering and it pushes them over the edge (or they could get hammered while driving your rig!)....
Got off Deso yesterday. RRT destroyed my trailer, obviously driven like a bat out of hell(which is kinda what Sand Wash can be i guess when buggy and hot).
They claimed that my spare trailer tire hit ground(impossible) and broke the frame member that angled from hitch to right rear trailer axle claiming that it happened while avoiding a "speedy goat"(antelope). Nearly all trailer decking was rattled loose and only still present because of wall-to-wall carpeting and poly skids.
The only way this could have happened is if the shuttle drivers drove extremely fast. I left a $40 tip specifically asking the driver not to drive fast on the Sand Wash road. Right!, like that was going to make a difference.
Might be said that the trailer was not up to the task. For sure, it wasn't meant to be flailed behind a truck bombing down the Sand Wash road at 70+ mph. Actually, it was a really nice, relative-new, well-maintained trailer and would have been today had it been driver properly (30-35 max) out of Sand Wash.
Little old ladies can have lead feet too. My SO's 80+ year old mother drove her Forester like a go cart and still rode her riding mower to manicure her 1 acre of lawn nearly up to the day she passed(she was a pilot of an open air cockpit plane when she was younger). She didn't slow down for noth'in. I'm sure every time she mowed she was trying for a personal best completion time.
Melanie will be hearing from me. RRT has done many successful shuttles for me but now I'm pissed. They need to know that their business is dependent upon their reputation and it has been extremely tarnished in my mind.
After several conversations with Melanie I decided to let it pass. I really don't think I had many options. Perhaps someone can tell me what my options might have been??
Melanie was thoughtful and attentive and I never pressed the point or elevated our conversation to hostilities. In the long term, I probably need RRT more than they need me individually.
I might call back just to ask how their methods control potential speeding by drivers. The answer likely will be that each caravan has a responsible lead driver to ride herd.
What I'd like to know is if anyone has proof that they mistreat vehicles(which would be very bad for business). I believe some people have the ability to download vehicle logs.
Another reason I dropped it is it turns out that my aluminum tilt-bed trailer could be consider semi disposable using it as I did. Although I pampered the trailer it was not constructed for durability especially on dirt roads. For example, the pivot pins on the tilt bed had totally reamed out the soft aluminum frame through which it passed allowing massive play; much like a brass oar lock wears out a cast aluminum tower(a discussion we have had). Below is the fix that was required.
Truthfully, the massive slop in the tilt bed pivot is what caused the deck to rattle to pieces since the decking was held in place by cheesy, shallow thread screws. I plan now to bolt it.
So, I had no one to blame except myself for buying a poorly engineered trailer. The reengineered trailer will now outlive me I'm sure. Also show below are the reinforcements designed to last longer than buying an identical new trailer.
I suggest boaters owning aluminum tilt beds to check for excessive play at the pivot pin.
well back in the mid-nineties they destroyed three of our well back in the mid-nineties they've destroyed three of our vehicles, tore the clutch out of one truck granted it was a Ford but still, bent my trailer tongue and the axle, and caved in the roof on a Toyota T100,
an aluminum trailer should be able to be towed safely down that road, you just can't drive 70 miles an hour, i had photos, and had intended to sue them for damages, but at the end of the day it was cheaper not to spend 10K in legal fees to recover 1500.00 in damages. The other folks concurred.. i likely threw the photos away, and it was so long ago anyway.. Would have hoped they had changed their methods, or at least obtained insurance, but it would appear neither happened.
Funny you should mention $1500. That is about what it is going to cost me. Cheaper than a new trailer but fortunately much better than a new identical trailer.
I'm tempted to leave one of my old GPS's turned on in my truck. They have a reduced power mode when not moving, hence, the batteries(especially lithiums) should last even if the shuttle does not occur until a week later. I could then know exactly how fast precisely where my vehicle was driven. Without such proof I'm just pissing in the wind to get bitchy with RRT.
I am unsure about that, I bet you could call and find out
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