RAY PATTON

[joel gopan]

Ray Patton has sold his truck and is no longer in the Long Haul trucking business. He sold his unit a couple weeks ago. Russ Jones of the Fort Economy/Sam Werner Museum has confirmed this. Rus used Ray to haul 20-30 loads of Rare Military Vehicles to his restoration facility and museum. Recently Ray hauled a nice M-5 Tank up from Werners. You will not find a finer gentleman than Russ, and at the Age of 75, he keeps his hands dirty doing first class work. His Ft Economy show is a must attend event.
Joel

[rgus]

I can also confurm that. I talked with Ray's wife last night and she told me the same thing.

[armydriver]

Thanks for the great information.

[Bill_Wolf]

That is too bad.

In trying to get my CCKW up here from NC last year I went through 3 truckers. They promised the world and then did a no show. It took me 8 months from purchase to finding a guy (at a reasonable price) to move the truck.

I then called Ray Patton. He was booked out 6 weeks, put me in the rotation and honored his commitment on time and at the price he quoted.

I was very satisfied.

Bill Peaslee (who is selling a 352 on this board) informed me that he is getting into the HMV moving business. Bill said he can move up to 11,000 #'s.

I am going to use him to move another Chevy 325 Fire truck that I bought. I will post the experience.

Bill

[joel gopan]

Great?? Jim are you sure you read it right, this is awful, Ray was unique, he took a lot of interest and used extra care in handling MVs. Hell, this is awful. He was a good trucker trying to make an honest buck while staying within the rules, and the times caught up with him.
Joel

[bobc]

I sold the K-44 chevy to a guy in Norway and he thought he had the shipping all arranged,they would tell me some ones coming to get it then no one showed up,I had to give dimentions to three different people,finally they got a local outfit to haul it to Long Beach,I wasted alot of my time trying to help the buyer,it sounds like you east coast guys have the same problem.

[joel gopan]

I have an instinct about MV Customers, there are many types, there is a lot of "spinning your wheels" in this hobby. You have to be blunt at times.
Joel

[armydriver]

dKeep din mind Webb Swearigen here in Austin. He is a good guy, very careful and as I pointed out, an MV owner and restorer himself.

[armydriver]

I should have proof read that one. Looks like the d key got in the way.

[joel gopan]

Hey Jim, when I was in service, it was a Jiminy Cricket and Dumbo thing, every officer needed a Jiminy Cricket,I bet you never realized that, I am your "Jiminy Cricket". The enlisted men are really the "eyes and ears of the service, didn't you know that?
Joel

[Yohan]

Hi, fellas. New guy here. I found this site when I did a name search for Ray Patton and sadly discovered he is out of business. I called Webb for help, but he only does TX stuff. I'm an MV collector who is "in between MV's" right now. I just sold my M274A5 Mule with M40A1 Recoilless Rifle for an FV432 armored personnel carrier. This is what I need hauled so I can smell that MV smell and get right in the head again!

I apologize for this hi-Jack, but does anyone know of any other haulers for heavy armor from Ft. Bragg, California to central NY?? I called Arrow Trucking and got a quote of $5500.00. Is there hope for much less? A hungry hauler looking for a load back east perhaps?

Thanks for any help!!!

[joel gopan]

You may have a long wait, as truckers are businessmen and to be successful, they operate at a profit, but some are easier on the pocket book than others.