Car transport questions

[jme5343]

I'll be trekking about 1500 miles from the upper midwest to the East coast. I have a car, not currently in running condition, that I need to take, but I'm very concerned about the car's physical condition, paint and body is currently 9.5/10.

I could get an auto transport company to quote it, but I don't know how they'll get it on the trailer without damaging it. It sits VERY low, probably three inches of clearance on the front and 5 on the sides. Even at that, I'd guess it's probably going to be $1200 or so?

An enclosed, specialty transport service designed for nicer cars will obviously be more.

If worst comes to worst, I could probably buy a car trailer for the estimated cost of having it transported, but that comes with its own set of issues.

Has anyone used either of these services? What was your mileage / cost / experience?

 

[Bartman39]

For the cost involved with hiring a transport and the possibility of damage to the car the idea of buying your own car hauler and doing it yourself is good provided you have a truck that can do the job...? Even if you buy a new trailer and use it one time or for the round trip the resale of it as basicly new will offset the cost and worry with using a transport (to resell it that is)... I have an 18' dovetail steel floor Parker Performance car hauler and would not sell it unless someone offered a crazy price for it... Also have a 20' wooden floor lowboy trailer that comes in very handy as std is 16'... Its on its way to Sturgis for the rally I think as of today...? A good friend borrowed it to transport 4 Harley`s 1 is a long chopper and a 16' lowboy just would`nt do the job... In return he offered to either rent it or put new tires and repack the bearings so this might also be and idea for you to borrow from a friend and either rent or do maintence on it for them...? Cheaper idea...:thumbsup:

BTW I average around 13-15mpg when pulling my car hauler with a 3500lb car on it but thats with my Duramax it all depends on the tow vehicle...

 

[hanoverphist]

only problem with tossing it on a trailer is the front end height. that sucker will need some special attention when putting on the ramps. 2X4s usually do the trick tho, so no real worries there. hardest part of getting my lower front car on a transport when it didnt run was using the winch. theres nowhere to pull from that doesnt try to tear the bumper off due to the height difference of the top of the trailer and the ground. it was safer (and less damaging) to get 4 guys and push it up.

 

[jme5343]

Thanks gents. Bartman, it's a one way trip, so borrowing a trailer is out. I'll get mileage, so that will help offset the trailer expense.

Hanover, what kind of car was yours and was the transport company cool with you loading it yourself? I assume you also met the truck and unloaded yourself too?