Car Transporter - Should I be concerned?

[1yearonLy]

I inked the deal with fellow Pelican Bob S. in Colorado on the '77 911S and it'll be picked up by the car hauler next week to make the trip back here to California. I shopped it around and found the best deal by a well-rated shipper.



Should I be concerned with these car haulers? What kinds of damage can occur and/or what should I look for when it arrives?? They send cars all over the country these days and I've got to assume they know what they are doing.

My biggest concern is damage to the rims and or undercarriage when they drive it on and off. I'm not sure if they use belts to hold the wheels down or hooks or ??

Am I concerned about nothing? Any reassuring feedback is appreciated...

Thanks,

Scott

[tsuter]

CO to CA is that too far to drive? Or doesn't it run??

[1yearonLy]

The car runs fine. It's about a 1,000 mile run through 115 degree heat part of the way. By the time I figured on a plane ticket out there, gas, etc it was only another $250 to ship it and save the mileage/wear/tear.

Besides, I'd like to really go through the car first before I subject it to a stress test like that.

[ozz]

Scott,

Last year, my 74 was transported from CA to Ohio, probaly twice the distance you are looking at and I had no trouble. The transport company ought to look the car over and provide you with a list of items - dings, chips, scratches, etc. when they pick up the car. The company I used faxed me their inspection sheet. I used that when the car arrived and found nothing new or different in terms of damage or problems. Probaly a non-issue if you are using a repuatable hauler.

[RickM]

Good to be concerned but you say they're well rated. By who? You should ask about the techniques used for securing the car and other operating procedures. Is the carrier enclosed? Will the car be underneath another? Is theere a drip pan?...........

IIRC, there was a thread here a while ago with a hauler that let some customers drive the other cars being hauled.

[rcm]

I had a car shipped from CA to NH. The transport company took pics when they loaded the car and took inventory of any damage.

[1yearonLy]

Originally posted by RickM
Good to be concerned but you say they're well rated. By who? You should ask about the techniques used for securing the car and other operating procedures. Is the carrier enclosed? Will the car be underneath another? Is there a drip pan?...........

IIRC, there was a thread here a while ago with a hauler that let some customers drive the other cars being hauled.

Yes, I seem to remember that thread about letting others drive the car. Definitely not cool.

It will be an open hauler.

Bob will be taking quite a few 'before' pics as the car is being loaded for me to compare with when it arrives on my end.

I used one of those 'bid your load' websites where you get 5 or 7 quotes back within 24 hours. The one I selected was rated the highest (by previous customers) and I called and negotiated a slightly better price than quoted.

[fiminod]

Intercity, what is your peace of mind worth? California to florida, cali to Boston 3 times, Boston to Florida, never an issue. You did see the speedster carnage on the open hauler last year didn't you?

[real550A]

I had my Carrera shipped from Houston to Minneapolis by DAS.
The PO was kind enough to take 30 digital pics at the office where he dropped the car off, with the agent right there.
I paid extra for enclosed shipping with no enroute offload.
When I picked up the car, I looked it over and found a dent in the driver's side rocker cover.
A quick call to the PO to verify it was a new dent, claim form filled out, and drove the car home.
They had an insurance rep look at the damage three days later, at my convenience and location, and I had a check in less than five days! Sufficient amount to complete an excellent repair.
I'd use DAS again without question, but the pictures saved the day.

[john_colasante]

I hate to make you worry but yes you should be a little concerned. I have transported a few cars over the years. Unless you use Intercity there is a chance there will be some "issue" with the transport. Whether it is delays, minor damage, or something else.

[1yearonLy]

I just spoke with the driver who is picking up the car. He specializes in higher-end models and has quite a bit of experience with 911 and 356 Porsches. He's hauled groups of 4 at a time to car shows and does dealer transfers as well.

It'll be on a 4 car hauler flatbed with nothing above it. First to go on and first to come off. He used to live in my area so he knew the directions without even looking it up. I feel much better after talking to him in person.

I'll have it in my driveway 1 week from Saurday.

[vash]

scott, i moved a 911 on the same type of set up. 4 car trailer. nothing above or below. this was a non running car. i paid them extra to push/pull the car onto the trailer. the only thing they did wrong was, start the car. they pulled up to my house in cali, and said, "hey, you know the car starts, right?" ended up having a bunch of rust and 14 year old gas sucked thru my CIS system. at the time i knew nothing about the 911, so i wasnt pissed. i shoulda disconnected the battery. live and learn. you got a contract right? and they are insured? nice car TOO!!!!

[1yearonLy]

It's insured on all ends. In fact the driver said he pays more in insurance than gas these days and in some states it's not worth doing business there because of the rates.

All things considered, I feel very good about my situation. I'd rather drive it but my gut tells me this is the best option.

[HardDrive]

I used DAS to ship my car and was very pleased. Their satelite tracking was really cool. I watched as the car moved across the country. The satelite tracking showed my car was pulling up at the local shipping depot. I called them on the spot, and sure enough, they said "It just pulled in". COOL.

DAS is expensive, but why would you go cheap on something like this?

[don911]

I used intercity. I'd verify how they tie down. You want it tied down on the wheels/tires so the suspension is free. I saw a 993 show up at a dealer on an open trailor. They had tied down the car using the rear drive shafts. The right rear suspension was broken when it arrived.

[1yearonLy]

The driver mentioned he uses special clamps to attach to the factory frame tie down holes (underneath) and that he cinches it down allowing some suspension of travel so the car can cushion it's own ride along the way.

[Jims5543]

I used a car hauler to have an 500RWHP RX-7 Race Car shipped from Texas to Florida. The car was very shabby all around. That might have factored in to my problem. They let a loose chain rub along the side of the car and rub it to bare metal.

Also, I had the seller reset the peak hold on the Boost guage. When I recieved the car I hit the peak hold it it registered 15PSI, someone gave it a little beating somewhere. No one knew anything when I confronted the driver of the truck.

I had a few friends use haulers without problems so I think it was car specific.

[1yearonLy]

Originally posted by Jims5543
someone gave it a little beating somewhere. No one knew anything when I confronted the driver of the truck.

of course not.

[kqw]

Make sure you do as some folks mentioned above and...

Record your milage. If you are the first on and first off, there should be less that 1/10 of a mile ..if that.

Track the weather patterns as you want the driver to avoid any potential severe weather and hail.

If you have a car cover...use it.

Car should be out of gear. Emergency brake on and car securred properly...Not tied down via your axles....

Meet the car when it arrives..Some transporters tend to want to clean up the car before you see it...Save them the trouble....

[1yearonLy]

Here it is, all loaded up and on the way to me. Pic taken just a few hours ago...