Cruiser Shipping

[mdjohnsen]

I am planning to ship my cruiser from VA to FL in Dec. What is a good, reliable, and cheap place that ships door to door?

 

[badass]

http://www.dasautoshippers.com/

My rig came from arizona to alabama in 4 days, flawless, but expensive, $900.

 

[Herky]

I used DAS as well. No problems and arrived earlier than promised. I used drop off to dropp of though and it was much less.

 

[SurfPonto]

http://www.dasautoshippers.com/

My rig came from arizona to alabama in 4 days, flawless, but expensive, $900.

Wow that is expensive!
I shipped my 77 FJ40 from Kauai to Long Beach,CA for $800.
Well that was back in 93 though........

 

[AATLAS1X]

Wow that is expensive!
I shipped my 77 FJ40 from Kauai to Long Beach,CA for $800.
Well that was back in 93 though........

$3.00 per gallon of fuel................

 

[corsair23]

I am planning to ship my cruiser from VA to FL in Dec. What is a good, reliable, and cheap place that ships door to door?

I'm not sure those three qualities (good, reliable, and cheap) go together...;p

Try this site:

http://www.transportreviews.com/

On the left side of the main page, click on the "Highest w/ Most Reviews Past Two Years" link.

I had a good experience with SMS (although they never actually transported the FJ40 I bought from a scammer in NH that took my $3K deposit ). When I bought my '74 from a CA seller he used a buddy in the business who brokered the transport (at least part of it) out to "My Way Transport". Probably a West Coast outfit... They did a fine job (CA to CO in 3 days IIRC, called me 1/2 hour before arrival, unloaded it, was very nice, etc. and didn't say "Ok, the remaining balance is $XXX or you don't get your vehicle).

I've heard good and bad about DAS and I believe they are the 'preferred' shipper of eBay...Most of the bad I have heard is the cost as they tend to be the most expensive.

If driving the Cruiser down and flying back or whatever is not an option, then just search, read the reviews, and get lots of quotes. Be sure if you request a quote online that you check with the shipper to see what they consider a FJ40 to be (i.e. most consider a lifted FJ40 to be an "oversized SUV). That way hopefully you get an accurate quote.

Also realize that most transport companies are brokers. Few are true shippers (like DAS) and even then they can still broker out the business. Comes down to finding a carrier going from point A to point B in the shortest time for the least expense for them. Often they'll set something up and then no one shows so they hit you up for more $$ to "entice" a carrier to pickup your Cruiser.

One thing to be on the lookout for (if your Cruiser is in good shape) is carriers that use "depots". Nice to find a carrier that will pickup your Cruiser and deliver it having never unloaded it. Many though use depots where they pickup a vehicle, take it to a depot and unload it, then reload it and transport to the next depot, etc. Like a multi-stop airline flight. Best to avoid this if you can.

Good luck!!

 

[mdjohnsen]

Great! Thanks for the info. I checked everything out and it's around $500-600. Not bad I suppose.

 

[Colorado Boy-74-FJ40]

I would check about their bonding. When I did a fictitious quote, the value of the vehicle was defaulted at $199.00. Be sure to see if they insure to the replacement value or see if your insurance will cover the vehicle during transit. Take pictures of all angles to prove the pre-shipping condition.

 

[corsair23]

Another thing (or two)...You've probably already found this out but most if not all will NOT allow any personal items to be shipped inside the vehicle and prefer the fuel to be 1/2 tank or less.

Go in expecting that the carrier will miss the scheduled pickup date by 7-10 days and miss the scheduled delivery date by 7-10 days and you'll be fine

Most claim quick pickup but depending on your area that can be questionable. Unless you are very flexible (i.e. don't need the vehicle picked up / delievered on a specific date) and going in knowing the quirks of transporting a vehicle you could come away with a bad experience. GL and hopefully everything goes well.

 

[RumBum]

I sold a 100 series to someone in AL. Shipped it from S. Florida to N. Alabama for $400 in a week from when we I originally called. Morris Transport - Reggie or GC 800-783-4124. The driver that actually picked it up was Billy 256-390-1656. That was the 4th truck I've ever shipped or had shipped and they were cheap and professional.

 

[fj40z]

I wish I would have shipped mine rather than hauled it. By the timeI rented a truck and a car hauler, 2 nights in a motel, 8 tanks of gas at $80 a tank,food and other unforseen expenses it wound up costing me over $1000. Not to mention having to drive from Greensboro to Grand Rapids Michigan then back to Greensboro in 2 and a half days, almost 1500 miles and 30 hours driving. Absolutely the last time I ever go pick one up myself.

 

[kulangot]

Auto Train

http://www.cwrr.com/Amtrak/e_fl_at.html

Years ago, Henry C's broke down in Fla and he used the auto train to get it home.

Truck has to run though...

-Stumbaugh