Anyone Used a Car Transport Service

[TromboneAl]

I'm going to set up a transport of a car from Portland to Trinidad, California.

Any tips? I plan to review the different companies and use one that seems most reliable.

 

[Senator]

I used a company to transport a large trailer from NY to MN. I cannot remember the name of the company, or the website, but it did work well. The schedule was arranged by the trucker. It was just a goose-neck trailer, not a larger semi-trailer.

It seemed like a pretty decent gig for the trucker too. He picked up loads/things along the way and dropped them off.

I would make sure to speak with the trucker directly. Have a solid time-frame. Make sure the payment is made with a credit card.

 

[aja8888]

I used a company to transport a large trailer from NY to MN. I cannot remember the name of the company, or the website, but it did work well. The schedule was arranged by the trucker. It was just a goose-neck trailer, not a larger semi-trailer.

It seemed like a pretty decent gig for the trucker too. He picked up loads/things along the way and dropped them off.

I would make sure to speak with the trucker directly. Have a solid time-frame. Make sure the payment is made with a credit card.

One word: insurance.

 

[Lakewood90712]

I have used 3.

United Road , good + expensive ,

DAS also good + expensive,

and a mom n pop outfit from texas, cant remember the name, but was cheap and got it done.

Have never used, but the local dealers seem to use "Central Valley Auto transport' I think they are near Bakersfield.

If you are buying from a dealer, they usually get better rates than you can get on your own.

PS If you get a quite from DAS, and not book, they often call or e-mail with a lower price as you proposed ship date gets closer.

 

[Lakewood90712]

If its only 400 miles or so, A one way smallest U haul box van and auto trailer is another route, not hard to do in one day. The u haul auto transport trailers tow very well.

 

[MBAustin]

My late father used one (no idea who) to ship (FL to TX) his former RV tow car to us for our kids to learn to drive a stick shift. They called us about 30 minutes out and I met them at a nearby shopping center parking lot so they didn't have to navigate the neighborhood. Worked great for all of us.

 

[eytonxav]

I'd say get quotes, there are many good carriers and open carry is the cheapest option. Here is a link to one reputable company:
https://www.weshipyourcar.com/about-us/

 

[RobbieB]

I used one to ship a car from Detroit to CA when I moved Pops out five years ago. I think it cost $800. They came by and loaded up the car at the house on a flat bed and then transferred to a car hauler for the freeway and then delivered the car right to my house in CA. Worked great, no damage and easy-peasy.

 

[EastWest Gal]

When we moved from CA to PA in the winter, we used a car moving service for both the car and the van, as well as a national moving company. But that was 17 years ago. It went very well.

When my dad was moved my sister use a mom and pop place she found online. It was a mess, delays, many unanswered phone calls. Dad's car wasn't delivered to the house but to some weird auto body shop 15 miles from our home. Ugh! Find a company that knows what they're doing.


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[splitwdw]

Al, We've transported classic cars and use an enclosed tractor trailer. Even though this link is about transporting classic cars some of the info applies, like your insurance or take good photos of the car and make notes if you have existing damage.


https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2012/11/29/transporting-your-classic

 

[TromboneAl]

I've set things up with upscaleautotransport.com. These guys got excellent reviews on other sites (the reviews sound real, but of course, you never know). $450.

Estimates ranged from $375 to $900.

I've learned that most companies are brokers. They put the info on a "board" and drivers choose.

Set it up today. Car should arrive Thursday or Friday.

 

[TromboneAl]

It came today, and all is well.

However, this is how it came:

IOW, it didn't come on a fancy new car transporter, but on a two-car trailer behind an aging pickup truck driven by a nice Ukrainian and his wife. Watching them get it off the trailer was frightening.

So, with the broker system, perhaps there's a lot of luck of the draw. I think I'd go with a company who has their own trucks.

 

[REWahoo]

That is definitely a budget hauler...

 

[travelover]

OMG, ya shoulda rented the 10,000 watt generator.


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[NW-Bound]

Well, the hard-working Ukrainians got the job done. No dents or scratches reported.

The long trailer is balanced on its axles with the two cars. Now that Al's car is off, it is front-heavy. I wonder if they had to move the other car back. Also, the pickup truck does not look that big. Can't tell its size from the photo.

And what held the ramps onto the edge of the trailer?

 

[Lakewood90712]

Hope they take the transport fee they charged and buy a decent set of ramps.

 

[samclem]

Hope they take the transport fee they charged and buy a decent set of ramps.

Or some lights for the trailer. Then, with brake lights and directional signals, they could get a real license plate for it.

Anyway, Al, I'm glad to hear it all worked out. Have fun with it, and don't use your silent running mode to sneak up on cyclists--they hate that!

 

[TromboneAl]

The long trailer is balanced on its axles with the two cars. Now that Al's car is off, it is front-heavy. I wonder if they had to move the other car back.

Yes, they did that.

Also, the pickup truck does not look that big. Can't tell its size from the photo.

And what held the ramps onto the edge of the trailer?

Big Ukranian jump on them, pushing rusty lip into slot.

They had to do some other stuff to keep the affect the clearance.

I paid $200 on the credit card and gave $250 to the driver. I'm guessing that's all he made.

 

[RobbieB]

That's pretty funny.

"We come to America, get trailer from junkyard and fix up, make fortune in hauling business"

Yeah, that little white ramp ain't never gonna be the same -

Amazing.

 

[samclem]

And I see the trailer >did< have lights. My bad.

 

[aja8888]

Sometimes, you get what you pay for!

 

[NW-Bound]

Oh, come on people. The car got delivered without a scratch. What more do you want?

So, the driver did not have fancy equipment, but he probably has done this many times.

Well, something bad could have happened, but there was insurance. He had insurance, didn't he, Al?

 

[travelover]

On the bright side, a great anecdote generated and car delivered safe.

 

[splitwdw]

I love the name of the broker that Al used, upscaleautotransport.com

 

[eytonxav]

OK, seeing the pics that Al posted, how many would want to do business with this carrier?