How to ship a "good" car?

[djtrixx]

Hello all pros & bros! I'm looking at buying a bucket and a coupe in Ohio. I'd like to brag and say I'm buying both, but probably only one or the other. I'm in Wisconsin. However, even though I have a single place hauler, it's not enclosed, and that's a pretty good haul if I don't grab either one. If I fly or drive out to at least look at them, I'd still have to make another trip to pick up. So my question is simple. Has anyone used an auto transport company that they could recommend that knows how to baby a good car? Any ballpark on prices? Of course being this time of year it would have to be in an enclosed trailer....

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!!!
-Trixx

 

[fordsbyjay]

I would fly out and see how they are. If you like one of them head over to u-haul and rent a truck and trailer one way and head home. You could also look into renting a p/u from a rental place and a trailer from u-haul. It will be cheaper then shipping I would bet. Plus I never had good luck when I shipped a car from Wisconsin to Lafayette. What I learnt from that experience is it depends on how popular the route is. ALL the shipping companies I talked to when I went through my nightmare just take your order then post it on the internet and get bids. If there is no other pick ups in that area it could take forever to get your car. The car must run for most companies so they can drive it on the trailer.

That was the first and last time I ever shipped a car. I have driven/flown to pick up every other one. If I am iffy like you are I just take my P/U and rent a trailer for the ride back if need be. For the record I have bought cars from North Alabama, North Texas, North Indiana.

 

[RPM]

Fly in check out the cars. If you like one of them go rent a big Uhaul truck. Call a local roll back guy. Load the car on the roll back then put it in the Uhaul tie it down and be on your way. When you get home call the local roll back guy to unload it. Be sure to get a U haul with a lower deck, so it will be lower than the roll back.

 

[benT]

Fly in check out the cars. If you like one of them go rent a big Uhaul truck. Call a local roll back guy. Load the car on the roll back then put it in the Uhaul tie it down and be on your way. When you get home call the local roll back guy to unload it. Be sure to get a U haul with a lower deck, so it will be lower than the roll back.

I remember seeing Boyd's crew on American Hot Rod (remember that show?!) do this. I remember thinking to myself, "why the hell don't they have a few enclosed trailers?"

I agree with going and seeing the cars in person. That way you won't have regrets. BTW, if you have a buddy with a 12' ramp utility trailer, the T or the coupe will probably fit in it. We have a 12'x7' wide v-nose dual axle ramp trailer for our business, but it will fit my '27 or dad's 31 A tudor sedan. We bought it new (picked up from GA factory) for under 3k.

 

[donsrods]

If you go the route of using a commercial car transporter, BE VERY CAREFUL. There are horror stories all the time on various forums about guys taking your money and taking forever to get it there, or not getting it there at all. I actually got involved helping a member on another forum who lives in Florida and paid a guy in Texas to transport this new purchase. The guy kept lying to him, saying it was in Pensacola, and it was really still in Tx. What had happened was that the guy who took the money hired another company to do it and they kept stalling. I kept bugging the hauler until he got fed up and finally delivered it for the owner.

There are some good, recommended haulers listed on the HAMB. Put in "car haulers, or auto transport " and you will find good and bad reviews. One that I keep seeing as being a good one is BenD on that forum, but there are others.

Me, I am kind of a hands on guy and like to control my own life, so I would drive up with a pickup capable of towing a trailer, and if I liked the car I would rent a U haul car trailer one way. But that is just me.


Don

 

[donsrods]

I just went on the HAMB and did a search for you. This thread came up and it looks like tons of members love the work this guy does. And, he is in OHIO, where your new car might be.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=614419&highlight=transport

Don

 

[jcunning]

I live in Ohio and I own an enclosed 8.5 x 20 trailer. I'm not looking to make money on this, but if you need a car moved to Wisconsin maybe we can work something out. If you fly in and look at the car, I would be willing to meet you there, pickup the car and you and I could drive back to Wisconsin. I mostly use the trailer to haul my T around to shows that are too far to drive. It has the tie downs and straps needed. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[fordsbyjay]

Where in Ohio are the cars?