Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transferring cargo between an unpowered roller bed and a powered roller bed by a self-propelled, mobile, steerable vehicle having a powered roller bed and a retractable friction drive on one end thereof. When transferring a cargo loaded pallet between the two powered roller beds, the friction drive retracts within one end of the vehicle chassis, and said end of the vehicle is moved into abutting engagement with the powered roller bed. When transferring a pallet between the vehicle's driven roller bed and an unpowered bed of interconnected rollers, the friction drive is extended to frictionally engage and drive the unpowered rollers in either direction. The specification also discloses an improved vehicle, per se, having a powered roller bed and a retractable, selectively operable friction drive for providing power to interconnected rollers of a roller bed.