Best way to ship wheels and tires?

pitsqrd · pitsqrd's Garage

Hey guys,
I have a 79 SC refresh project going and I am thinking about buying a set of wheels and tires from someone in the 911 classifieds. I am in San Diego Ca, and seller is on east coast.

If anyone has experience with similar transaction, could you please recommend best method for shipping? Is it better to ship wheels with tires mounted or remove tires from wheels and ship separately?

Appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks

DanielDudley · 04-26-2011, 12:48 AM

If the tires are on the wheels, put several pieces of cardboard on either side of the tires and band them on with tape, like a reverse oreo cookie.

tonythetarga · 04-26-2011, 03:56 AM

As far as shipping price goes, you'll have to shop that around. I'd use a reputable (Fed-Ex or UPS) shipper and if you have access to a business shipping account, you'll get a better deal. Shipping cost is based on weight and distance, and you have both to deal with.

klaus · klaus's Garage

Given that you are charged by the dimensions of the package as well as by weight it would be best to ship the wheels with the tires on. As was mentioned by Daniel it is best to face the front and the back of the wheels with cardboard and tape them together (this is how they are shipped from places like tire rack).

As far as price, I have found it is best to go to the local FedEx or UPS hub, don't go to any of the retail stores. I have found a price difference of up to 20 dollars a wheel going directly to the hub.

wildcat077 · wildcat077's Garage

I shipped a set of four wheels with tires not too long ago and put the wheels face to face and taped the crap out of them.
Went to the dollar store and picked up 12 rolls of packing tape and used 6 rolls per set.

Cut out pieces of cardboard the same diameter as the wheels and insert them on the top and bottom faces then knock yourself out taping ... lol

I tried bouncing them,rolling them and there was no way they were coming apart !
FEDEX air or ground is a good and safe way to ship ...

Cheers !
Phil

jdbunda · jdbunda's Garage

+1 for fedex ground, cheaper than UPS for heavy bulky things like wheels. The other thing I have done is go to a local wheel retailer and snag some of their old shipping boxes, which are of course the perfect size. Cheaper than shipping tires if tires are old and not really part of the deal.

schumicat · 04-26-2011, 05:48 AM

you can get cheap plastic strapping tool kit at harbor freight that is great for strapping tires together. 3 straps will do job of 6 rolls of tape. personally, unless these are rare wheels or a smoking deal, i'd wait for something local because shipping coast to coast will add between $170-$200.

nippy · nippy's Garage

this is how we do it ,fed x

AlexJ · AlexJ's Garage

Anyone experienced on shipping parts from USA to Europe.
I am interested on a pair of front fenders and a long bonet and some company asked 1000 USD to ship it to Portugal... Isn't it too much?!

pitsqrd · pitsqrd's Garage

Thanks everyone. I will speak with seller, but I may go the route suggested by schumicat and wait for a local deal. The cost of shipping from east coast to west coast makes a good deal not so much unless very rare.

Thanks again.

bart1 · 04-28-2011, 04:22 AM

Don't use UPS - they just lost a tire/wheel that was being shipped to me and then denied the insurance claim. Shipped from a UPS store.

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart1

Don't use UPS - they just lost a tire/wheel that was being shipped to me and then denied the insurance claim. Shipped from a UPS store.

I've had a similar situation w/ UPS over a damaged aircraft engine cylinder, if it wasn't for the manufacture stepping in that sent me the cylinder UPS would have stuck me with the claim. In fairness I haven't had a claim w/ Fed-Ex, but when possible I use Feb-Ex...

Also UPS satellite packaging and shipping services are out of sight.