I wouldn,t throw out the idea of A-framing it out entirely, but on the other hand it would likely cost you as much as just putting it on a flat bed. What kind of a truck do you have? A trip like this would require at least a 3/4 ton. One of the Dodge diesels would come in real handy for this type of venture. The advantage to A-framing is you save the weight of the trailer, but you have to get the running gear in order for a trip of this length.
You are eventually going to have to change the tires so why not do it now? Pick up four of the 9.00X16 non-directionals that are around and when you come out get them installed onto the rims. The tires are available here in Manitoba at as good a price as you will find anywhere. You'll want to put new tubes in as well.There are some of the tire places out here that have guys old enough that they have done these tire rim combinations. Or you can spend a day and try and do them yourself at Derk's place.
Then spend a couple hours and do a quick re-pack of the wheel bearings. You can make up some plywood caps for the rear axles so the diffs don't turn. There is no easy way around the front axles though, so you will want to change the front gear oil, and likely throw a pinion seal on the front diff for a trip that long. At the same time, any of the stuff that can be removed from the truck (axles, drive shaft, tilgate, seats, possibly cab roof) are transferred to your towing vehicle to put the weight in the box.
I've always used a military style A-frame and suggest this option as they are heavy duty and will get the job done. If you don't have one, I could probably fix you up with one while you are up. You'll need a matching pintle hook on your truck.
Costs for this trip would be:
Tires: $300 Cdn
Tubes $120 Cdn
Gear oil $10
Front pinion seal $25
(these are all costs that you will have to spend eventually anyway)
A-frame and pintle hook $200
Towing lights $40
Of course you now have to pay fuel and Mcdonalds costs; theres no way around those expenses.
Now the real costs come in how rough you want to make the trip. If you can sleep in a pup tent or truck cab, you keep the costs down considerably. But if your the type who has to stay in Hotels, then the trip gets very expensive.
If you figure out your fuel costs, I think you'll come out to as much as just having a flatbed do it. But the trick here is to call it your vacation, and eat the costs. Theres lots of military vehicles to see here, and I'm sure the guys would be happy to show off their toys.n Plan on spending at least two to three days in Manitoba.
Below is a photo from my trip to Ontario last year (1500 miles each way). It took me 3 days in total, and I used about $500 in fuel. Mapquest shows your trip at around 2000 miles each way, with a total driving time of 30 hours each way, so it would be two days coming, and three days going back.
If you decide to go this route, I can give you a hand on this end ( as I'm sure Derk would as well), and get most of the stuff lined up for when you get here. One added bonus of this method is you won't pay any duty on the vehicle if you bring it through customs yourself, thanks to NA free trade and the age of the vehicle. You also get to try out real beer, not that watered down stuff you get in the US.
(Now I don't know how adventerous you are, but maybe the flatbed is loooking a little cheaper at this point)