Isn't there anyplace to rent a van or truck that doesn't cost $$$$ ?

[Monkeyleg]

I'm still trying to make my trip to Utah happen, but for a whole slew of reasons, it's not going to happen with me riding the cycle the whole way.

If I could rent a pickup truck or van, and take it as far as Colorado, that would work. Unfortunately, all of the pickups for rent at Enterprise and such places are crew cabs with short beds (60" or so) and I need 93" to fit my bike. Cargo vans I've found are from moving van places, and they charge $X per day plus $.70 to $.85 per mile.

Isn't there a place that rents a pickup truck with a full bed or a cargo van for the price of a rental car?

[bedlamite]

Rent a car from a dealership (much cheaper than enterprise, hertz, etc.), buy hitch for it, install it, buy trailer, take trip, remove hitch, return car, sell hitch, sell trailer. The difference in fuel cost alone between that and a pickup would almost pay for a harbor freight 8' trailer.

[roo_ster]

Ever think of having your motorcycle shipped there and flying to meet it?

Or, take a vacation through the Appalachian mountains.  IOW, drive northeast.

[gunsmith]

I once rented a uhaul pick up iirc it didn't cost much.

or try ride shares on craigslist, sometimes there are folks who need their vehicle driven someplace.

[Monkeyleg]

Shipping isn't cheap. Adding airfare makes it even less cheap. I also hate flying. (Actually it's not flying I hate, it's public transportation).

I'm really determined to see Utah again. It's the most beautiful state in the country, and fantastic for riding.

I can do day trips to the Appalachian mountains, and certainly will.

Gunsmith, everything I see on the U-Haul site is 70 to 80 cents a mile on top of the rental.

I'll take a look on Craigslist, though.

It looks like there's no place that rents pickups reasonably. Enterprise rents Dakota's and Chevy Colorado's, but they have 60" beds. I'm still looking at the trailer angle, though.

[roo_ster]

1. Buy a mid-1970s pickup that runs, with an I-6, long bed, manual tranny as your preferred setup. (Lots in the paper for under $3k & some around $1k)
2. Toss $500 at it to make it (more) reliable & safe (hoses, brakes, oil change, etc.)
3. Stuff bike in bed
4. Drive to Colorado or points West
5. Park it someplace where it won't be towed away
6. Drive scooter around
7. Return to where you parked pickup
8. Drive back to home, cycle in bed
9. Sell truck for what you paid for it

[gunsmith]

isn't there some kind of agency that needs people to drive vehicles across the country/state to state?

[Monkeyleg]

Roo_ster, I've thought before about doing what you describe. It's certainly a good option.

Gunsmith, I've heard about those companies, but never really saw one. I wonder if they still exist.

If it seems like I'm being difficult, I apologize. I have to juggle a lot of things to make this trip happen, including time and money. I don't know if I'll be able to take a trip out west again, so I'd like to make this one work as best as possible.

[Scout26]

How about install a hitch on your daily driver and either buy a trailer or rent from U-Haul.  Trailers are much cheaper then renting a van/truck, and there aren't mileage charges.  Plus keeps you bike and other stuff protected from the elements and thieves.