Help/ideas for retrieving a vehicle from the Port of NY

[flskala]

VINMAN is correct….however, I would wait until 3am, have someone follow me very close and do it anyway. Or, find someone with a dealer plate. Option 3: SUV, hitch, u-haul trailer.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by dan79brooklyn

Texas is the wild west huh! I think it's a bit stricter in NY...Sounds like it needs to be registered AND insured first.

I moved from NY to TX.

The popo back east are way more forgiving of this stuff than the popo in Texass.

If you are keeping it in your name then getting it registered and insured is a couple hours of DMV and a call to an insurance broker.

It's something you'll have to eventually deal with anyway so why make it more complicated and expensive by hauling the thing out?

Doesn't make sense to me unless there is some circumstance preventing getting the paperwork done.

[Noah930]

What about AAA? Pull a fuse or remove the ground from the starter. Tell 'em it won't run, and have them flatbed it home (or a local garage/gas station, from where you drive it home at 0300 as suggested above).

[flskala]

^^^
Newark to WestChester - about 1hr +/-
AAA is a good idea too.

[fintstone]

Intentionally sabotaging one's own vehicle for a free tow seems a lot like fraud. One would be best to do this on the up and up. I imagine that even risking driving it illegally would be a better choice.

[john70t]

afaik:
AAA will cover the first 25 or 50 miles. The tow company might stick ya hard for the extra miles.
They will only tow to a business repair shop.
They might not even tow it, or they be required-by-law to call the cops on a vehicle with no plates or paperwork.
ymmv.

Until registered for use on public street, the truck might be considered an object or property.
Using a car dolly seems like the best bet. It doesn't even have to be uHaul.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by john70t

afaik:
AAA will cover the first 25 or 50 miles. The tow company might stick ya hard for the extra miles.
They will only tow to a business repair shop.
They might not even tow it, or they be required-by-law to call the cops on a vehicle with no plates or paperwork.
ymmv.

Basically none of this is true or correct. I've had AAA for many years and have 200 mile towing, (you pay for different levels of coverage), they will absolutely tow to other than a "business repair shop," etc...

They are not "required by law" to call cops on unregistered vehicles but they do have rules wrt to what they will tow or not. One thing they will not do is tow a vehicle you just purchased home, if they know what is happening. If you buy a project car somewhere, you need to rent a car trailer or pay a private tow to move it.

They also will never ask for or demand "paperwork", I can have anyone's car towed with my AAA that I want. It's designed to be used for road emergencies for any car you are riding in, not just your own. It is correct that they will not tow unregistered vehicles with expired tags and definitely not any vehicle that has obviously been sitting for a long time, with exceptions.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Noah930

What about AAA? Pull a fuse or remove the ground from the starter. Tell 'em it won't run, and have them flatbed it home (or a local garage/gas station, from where you drive it home at 0300 as suggested above).

There would never be a reason for such a prank. When I call AAA for a tow, I do not have to prove to the tow driver that the car will not run. I tell them what's up and how and where I want it towed, end of story. I have told tow drivers several times specifically not to turn ignition on, for instance. Just hook up the cable and winch it on. Other times, I've driven it on or let them drive it on. It's ultimately none of their business what the mechanical diagnoses is. Of course they are trained to assist motorists in distress but it's not mandatory to let them fk around with your car.

[fintstone]

I towed a much heavier vehicle across the country several times with a tow bar that only cost about $150. You see lots of RVs pulling cars with them.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by speeder

Basically none of this is true or correct.

I guess they do tow to a residence now. That has changed.

https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-AAA-charge-for-towing-after-7-miles
I have been a member of AAA Roadside Assistance for around 42 years. For the basic coverage is and always has been the first 5 miles are free 4X per year for $56.00 per year.

The over mileage rate is charged by the tow company and not by AAA. The rate can vary greatly company to company. Always get a price from the tow company before the tow. I've seen rates as high as $10 per mile.

Originally Posted by speeder

If you buy a project car somewhere, you need to rent a car trailer or pay a private tow to move it.

Thank you

Originally Posted by speeder

It is correct that they will not tow unregistered vehicles with expired tags and definitely not any vehicle that has obviously been sitting for a long time, with exceptions.

Thank you

[john70t]

For getting a vehicle in person, why add an extra element who may or may not show up?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by fintstone

So, NY is your state of residence? The Uhaul might be a good idea. Time to move to FL.

Actually, in Florida, to register a out of state vehicle, they have to physically verify the Vin number.

[Dixie]

I'd just put that lil' ol' truck in my big purse and go.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by flskala

^^^
Newark to WestChester - about 1hr +/-
AAA is a good idea too.

By helicopter…
Traffic sucks 24x7

[Alan A]

I haven’t done it, but I was under the impression there was a ****-load of stuff to get it released to you - as in you can’t just rock up with a trailer, drive in and pick up your [item] whenever you feel like it.

I *thought* there was an intermediate step where you were forced to hire a third party to get it through customs and into [somewhere] outside of the port.

Is it really as easy as turn up when you feel like it and they have a red carpet for you? Now, OP I’m really curious - there are a couple of obscure cars in Europe that make me twitchy every time I see them. If it’s really cheap and easy to drag them over and in it’ll be harder to look away…

[Zeke]

Another thread resurrected by a spammer and people jump in w/o looking at the date.

[jamesnmlaw]

AAA Premier RV. Up to 200 mile tow maximum, once per year. 7 day waiting period for use, I believe, once the membership is purchased. The only way to travel with a vintage car.

[fastfredracing]

Do you know anybody with a dealer plate or RT plate ? . If I were closer Id drive that straight home for you

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Another thread resurrected by a spammer and people jump in w/o looking at the date.

Thread is 20 months old but the truck is cool.

I see a small handful in North Canton.