Moving across the county

[Bourbonator]

And I'm shipping the 4R, as it's just simpler for me and my situation. I'm deciding between Safe-Direct Car Shipping, AmeriFreight, Magic Carpet Auto Transport, and Auto Relocation Plus. I'm still waiting to get some quotes back, but they seem to be in the $800-1000 range, which I think is reasonable. If any of you can offer any advice, that would be appreciated. Otherwise, I'll provide some updates with my decision and how things work out.

 

[bofa]

I had a motorcycle shipped from Miami to Jacksonville and that cost me around $500. I had a Jeep shipped from Jacksonville to Denver and that cost me $1200. Both were fairly simple and I can't really complain. Maybe ask if they'll let you use a car cover on the vehicle during transport to keep it clean. Oh, and check your mileage at pick up and delivery.

 

[DannyLlama]

You headed to or from cali?

 

[Snooperstyle]

I shipped a car once from Denver to Va. About 800 and that was fifteen years ago. I had to pick it up at a local truck stop and the driver went 100 miles past his stop, and when he called me, he couldn't speak a lick of English. So be finally gets there and I couldn't figure out why the battery was dead on arrival but they jumped it for me. Depending on where you are shipping it, that price seems fair. i would ask the shipping people what they do to protect the vehicle and make sure they use drivers that speak your language!

 

[Speedy Babo]

I think I used direct express auto transport. They charged me about $100 for the broker fee for setting up the driver and transport. Driver actually came as close as he could for both pickup and drop off, probably 5-10 min walk. I paid the driver $550 cash upon pickup. This was from SoCal to IL. The luck part is which freight and driver you get assigned. This was 2 years ago.

Whats weird is my car battery died too soon after I got it, which was 4 years old, and that of several others I know who had their car shipped.

 

[Snooperstyle]

Whats weird is my car battery died too soon after I got it, which was 4 years old, and that of several others I know who had their car shipped.

Weird indeed...I am sure someone one here has a reason for why that happens...I just figured mine was an interior light left on or something...

 

[flyrv9]

When I lived n Arizona, many of the snowbirds who came out for winter hired people to drive their cars out there and then paid their airfare back home. They claimed it was cheaper.

As far as shipping goes, do those prices include insurance?

I would be sure to take pictures beforehand; just like you now need to do now when renting a car.

 

[jsketoe]

Reliable, look them up.

 

[bofa]

Weird indeed...I am sure someone one here has a reason for why that happens...I just figured mine was an interior light left on or something...

That is most likely the case. They usually don't close the doors all the way when loading them so they can see the exact tire path while driving. I'm betting car doors are left cracked pretty often.

 

[Eagle]

Moving across the county

Is OC really that big? :wink2:

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I shipped my Jeep about a year ago and this is what happened to me. I do not remember the name of the company but it does not matter. All the shipping companies I know of do not use their own transporters. It is all vendered out and the truck drivers see what vehicles are on the list to be shipped regardless of the company name and look at how much the company is paying. If it is conveinint for them and the price is right they take the job. My problem is I live in a remote area and it turns out a lot of drivers did not want to come here even though the shipping company says no problem. They scheduled a pickup time for me and I waited all day and no driver showed up. I call them and get the run around. They reshceduled for the following week and this time a truck did show up. I was discussing this with the driver. He said that if you live in a big city the vehicle has a better chance of getting picked up because the driver can usually pick up multiple vehicles in the area and make a good profit. A company that gives you a low bid will have less chance of the driver showing up than a company with a higher bid because the driver will make more. The driver said he picks up cars for most any moving company and pick the ones he wants based on price and convenience.

 

[philsey]

03 4X4runner is right on. I ran into this exact situation when I bought a new boat out of state. Typically, these "loads" are posted on-line and OTR haulers check them while they're running around the countryside. It's a juggling act for them, to coordinate where they pick up vs where they deliver so as to make a buck.

Guys will low-ball you to "freeze" your business in the hopes to get more loads in your area.

Ask a lot of questions....

 

[DannyLlama]

Where is the OP lol?

 

[Bourbonator]

You headed to or from cali?

CA to GA

The interior and exterior is covered by the broker and carrier, and I called my insurance guy and he said I was personally covered as well. The carrier will be picking up my 4r close to home, and dropping it off as close as possible to me in GA.

 

[GrantK]

When I moved from Chicago to Boulder I had the mover (United) handle everything including packing. They showed up, packed all my stuff then two days later the packed the remaining items (bed, etc), loaded everything into the moving van, including my Explorer, and unloaded everything at my new place several days later. I don't know what it cost since my employer paid for it and replacement cost insurance on it all.

 

[desertred]

Echo what 03 4x4runner and Philsey stated. I shipped three cars within the last 6-7 years, without problem. In each case, the drivers were very conscientious at pick up and did a thorough review of the vehicle for any damage, etc. Because I lived in a small town (but with immediate access to the interstate), the drivers typically showed up later in the evening. Since they were driving 18 wheelers, I usually arranged to meet them in my local Walmart parking lot to load the vehicles. This was a convenience for them, as well as my local neighborhood since the truck would not block roads and driveways. This may or may not be convenient for you.

[Edit]: A car cover will likely not be convenient for the carrier, as they may likely move the vehicle around during transport. Covered transport can be arranged for an (usually hefty) additional cost.