Auto Transport

[Chocaholic]

Need to transport my TR6 from Westminster, SC to Fairhope, AL in a few weeks. About 350 miles. Any recommendations for shippers? Have shipped many motorcycles over the years, but never a car. Made the mistake of filling out a quote estimator online and getting inundated with spam.

Have shipped bikes via U-ship. May give that a try.

Appreciate any suggestions.

[pavulon]

Ask for pics of their towing setup before agreeing to let them do the job. There's a lot of really sketchy rigs out there. I had a used dirt bike show up bungee'd to the inside of a clapped-out camper trailer.

[Baz]

My suggestion Mike, if not already done, is to ask the guys you use for your motorcycle transports if they know anyone they'd recommend.

Most of these folks are part of a community and know each other.

[afterburn 549]

Ask for a cerificate of cargo insurance , DOT number and check it.
There is no law saying there has to be cargo insurance
and
some pay pennies per pound.
Also
I would demand air ride if going very far

[rfuerst911sc]

Rent a trailer and make a road trip ?

[Chocaholic]

Found a carrier via U-ship (broker) with solid reviews and insured, etc. Had used U-ship for several bikes over the years without issue. Since it’s not a high value car (not exactly a Porsche or Ferrari), I went with open shipping as it’s not a terribly far shipment. Appreciate the suggestions! Fingers crossed it will go well.

[afterburn 549]

Most on USHIP have no DOT or cargo. They won the bid and boom,
in business!
Risky if you dont find out.
Worse if there is a problem.

[Chocaholic]

This is who I’m going with…

WeShipCars is a licensed and bonded property broker, registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation under MC #1236388 and USDOT #3620307.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve had good luck with UShip, you just have to be smart about who you pick.

[afterburn 549]

They used to not have DOT number, and anyone could sign on to haul.
I am happy they changed that.
BUT
Still, It's no guarantee they have cargo insurance.
You have to get a copy from their underwriter,

[Alan A]

Don’t go cheap.
I paid a guy through u-ship once to move my car in my trailer and the experience was .. poor.
Had - supposedly - all the DOT stuff, but it still didn’t go well.

Trailer ended up damaged and I was well out of pocket vs paying a guy through a ‘real’ broker and getting explicit damage coverage.

[afterburn 549]

Pick someone dedicated to his job, like this dude; I know him personally.
Anyone working for uship is in a bidding war to the bottom.
And bottom service is what you will usually get.

[Zeke]

450 miles is a day trip if the driver isn't on a few pick ups and drops in the area. IOW, you could go with a hotshot. Enclosed is aways better if the driver has to stop or weather is bad. But you knew that, I'm just babbling.

[Rtrorkt]

Passport Transport

[Chocaholic]

Car picked up tonight (10pm) with a car trailer too wide for my little Triumph. How likely is it that these tires won’t survive the trip? Of course driver insists it’s fine. Edges are about 1/4” thick and rounded (thankfully). Tires are brand new. Should I be pissed?

Passenger rear:


Passenger front:

[MMiller]

^^^ I wouldn't be happy about that...but I hope it goes well. Depending on others can be frustrating!

[afterburn 549]

Not a proper trailer for the job.
Low-dollar operation.

[rfuerst911sc]

A legitimate auto transport company/driver will carry lots of wood blocking to cover a wide variety of circumstances . In this case the blocking would have been used to get the tires to ride above that lip with the majority of weight being on the flat surface of the tire . Not much you can do now , good luck that it arrives safely . I would be worried about tire integrity.

[afterburn 549]

Did they have DOT number?
Cargo insurance?

20/20 hindsight .

[Chocaholic]

See post 8.