Auto transport recommendations

[Skytrooper]

I just came onto possession of my next project car. It is located in Albuquerque, NM. I am in western NY near Rochester. I know that some of you have had vehicles shipped, so I am looking to the Pelican braintrust for some suggestions and/or recommendations on specific transport companies.
The car is complete but non-running and I would prefer an enclosed transport.

Talk to me fellows !

[javadog]

I suppose it depends on how nice it is, my recommendations are always to use either FedEx/Passport or Intercity. I would avoid Horseless Carriage like They have typhoid fever. Anything to do with U-ship is also a really bad idea. You will probably pay extra for the fact that it is not running.

[GH85Carrera]

I have never had a car shipped, so all I know is second hand experience. The cheap places are all brokers. They just subcontract some trucker to ship your car. If you are real lucky it may work with no issues. Don't bet on it.

If you have a nice vehicle, use the big firms like Intercity. They are way more expensive, but they take care of the car.

[Skytrooper]

It is a 1971 charger R/T 440 Magnum. It has never seen salt, been a desert car. Previous owner started to sand it out prior to repaint, but had health issues and passed away last month.

[img]

[javadog]

I would probably be less picky with that car, given its current condition, but I still wouldn't use U-ship. Just make a deal with a company that has their own fleet of trucks and avoid any brokers. If you're flexible with pick up and delivery dates, you'll get a better price.

[R K T]

Lots of threads on this subject and it usually comes down to "you get what you pay for" and "beware of open trailer brokers".

Four months ago I sold my '32 Ford Street Rod and the buyer was in Washington and I'm in SoCal. I told him that I had used Intercity and Reliable a dozen times over the years and never had an issue of any kind. He didn't want to spend the money for inclosed transport. The '32 was a show winning car and I tried to warn him of what condition that it probably would be in after an open trailer trip.

He finally hired a company that I had never heard of but they had a "soft sided" trailer. Pretty much an open trailer with a tarp on the sides. About $200 less the Intercity!

The driver that picked the car up was filthy, oily and greasy from head to toe and the truck was even worse. I felt sick, but it was the buyers deal not mine.

About ten days later the buyer contacted me that the car had not arrived! I told him to contact the trucking company and showed him photos of the car going into the trailer.

Two days later the truck was found abandoned on the side of the road in Boise Idaho. No driver and no car.

The police contacted the trucking company and got the drivers address. Went to his house and he answered the door and the car was in his garage! It looked like it had been driven off road through the mud.

Finally made it to the buyer and legal action is happening.

This would have never happened if the buyer went with a reputable company.

[flipper35]

For our 911 we used Rich's Classic Transport based out of Lincoln when we moved from CA to WI and he is a first class act and not terrible expensive. He hauls some really high end equipment and I know several others that used his services. Might be overkill for that car though but we felt safe with ours.

[Nickshu]

I have used Enclosed Vehicle Transport as well as Intercity Lines with good results. Neither are discount carriers. As stated above you get what you pay for.

[Skytrooper]

I am more concerned with the glass getting busted, and keeping it out the salt spray once it gets to this side of the country. It could snow at anytime at this time of year. Apart from the outside appearance it is fully together and intact...including all the glass.

[stomachmonkey]

Does it run? Can it be driven onto the trailer.

They don't like it when it can't and you may pay more.

As far as damage to the glass, the worry about that is no different than if the car were being driven.

I would not worry about salt and stuff like that.

Not like a day or two exposed will turn it into a rust bucket.

[kcf7z]

Intercity

[Skytrooper]

Anybody ever deal with Upscale Auto Transport or Nationwide ?

[javadog]

I have not used them. They appear to be a broker, so I would highly recommend that you don't use them. You have no idea who they will contract with to do the actual work of transporting your car. In general, brokers will select the lowest bidder.

They also have enough negative comments about them on the internet that I would not consider them.

My advice, after shipping a bunch of my cars and bikes all over the country: ONLY DEAL WITH COMPANIES THAT OWN THEIR OWN TRUCKS AND EMPLOY THEIR OWN DRIVERS.

[NutmegCarrera]

Another vote for intercity here.
Don’t forget about who “owns” the insurance component.

They did a great job with my last one.

I have done u-ship, but you don’t know what you’re getting until they arrive to load you.

[pavulon]

Used Uship to bring a dirtbike here from MT a couple years ago. I'm glad it was a dirtbike being shipped. His enclosed trailer was a camper to which he had taken a sawzall and two hinges in making a "drive-in' hauler. The bike was bungee'd to one wall and likely became a stressed member. The entire rig was a rolling rhombus of variable geometry.

[fast_e_man]

I've shipped 2 cabin cruisers and 3 911's with U-Ship. I've have no issues. As the customer posting the job, you can pick any of the bidders on your job, and are not obligated to pick the lowest bidder. Of the 5 jobs I've had with U-ship, only 1 of 5 was the lowest bidder. I've always picked a private party to move my vessels/vehicles and talked with them prior to committing to hire them. 2 of the 3 911's shipped via enclosed moving van. The third 911 was a project that went on an open trailer because I didn't care if the car was exposed to the elements while in transit. I'd say if you are willing to apply your own due diligence U-ship will be fine. If you just want to hire someone "turn-key" and trust but not verify, then by all means hire one of the big name transport companies mentioned above.

[fast_e_man]

You could try Google for moving and storage companies in/around ABQ. Call around and see if someone has a partial load from NM to NY. The movers that transported the 911 in the pics I posted above checked U-Ship to see if someone had a job to fill one of their trucks; New Hampshire to Colorado. I was not picky about the exact dates so all worked out well.

[Steve Carlton]

Does it run and drive?

The guy I use a lot is Dan White at 253-561-3497 whitelightningtransport at gmail.com

Never let me down. Will talk straight with you.

[Rtrorkt]

passport

[Skytrooper]

Here are a couple extra pics