Cheapest transport method for soon to be new addition

[White75]

Alright here's the scenario. I have a 78 SA that is waiting pick up for me in north Alabama.
I want to get the car to my house in Texas (Houston area) as cheaply as possible. The car's not current on registration and I would be hesitant to drive it 800 miles without that or a full checkup since it really hasn't been driven in a number of years.

Here are my options:
1. I have a Toyota 4-runner V8 with the tow package but don't know if that's enough to pull a U-haul trailer with it. Prosrobably cheapest route Cons: lots of driving, don't know of the ability to tow with the Toyota

2. Rent a U-haul truck with trailer. Pros: would tow no problem. Cons: driving a practically empty truck (unless I pick up other stuff along the way).

3. Borrow friends truck and/or trailer. Pros: probably cheap. Cons: Insurance and risk, limited availability

4. Car transport company. Pros: no driving on my part. Cons: Cost, lack of trust, don't know who's the best, availability (could take a month for delivery)

Has anyone done anything like this and what do you recommend. If you have recommendations on companies, pass those along as well.
I'd like to pick her up in March-May.
Thanks!

 

[entropy454]

I think the Uhaul technique is what I would do. A cheaper ooption than having a company move it for you.

 

[bagger]

I bought my '79 last July from a corvette dealership in Ohio. The shipping company was Reliable Carriers, Inc. The trailer was fully enclosed. I had the car in 10 days. I gave the same considerations as you did when I bought the car. It cost me $750, that was from Ohio to Iowa, but it was worth every penny. They are an insured company. They were extremely careful and my new old vette got to me in perfect condition. I hope this helps you with your decision. Good Luck

 

[Rex S]

Prices at U Haul may knock your sox off. They have gotten quite high. We have used Reliable and DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) both for less expensive transports of cars that could ride outside. DAS has a discount for terminal to terminal shippments rather than door to door too. Friend w/ truck & trailer would be cheapest, As long as he is hauling as a favor and not for hire his normal auto policy should cover the car in transit but check.

 

[KANE]

I have a Toyota 4-runner V8 with the tow package but don't know if that's enough to pull a U-haul trailer with it. Prosrobably cheapest route Cons: lots of driving, don't know of the ability to tow with the Toyota.

Back in '06... I towed my '80 Vette on a rented U-Haul tandem axle trailer 200 miles with my '04 V8 4Runner. I took it from Anderson IN to Louisville KY. The trailer was about $100. It worked out just fine.

If I had to do it again, I would if I sill had my '04 4Runner.

 

[vett boy]

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http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/members/gmjunkie.html​

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I don't know ,he picked up my new 08 for me and 6 months later he didn't want to give it up.

 

[White75]

Back in '06... I towed my '80 Vette on a rented U-Haul tandem axle trailer 200 miles with my '04 V8 4Runner. I took it from Anderson IN to Louisville KY. The trailer was about $100. It worked out just fine.

If I had to do it again, I would if I sill had my '04 4Runner.

This sound just like my situation, same 4-runner, C3 vette. Did uhaul give you any grief for using the 4-runner. How did it handle the load? At the beginning of the trip I'll be going through some hilly areas but only for about 100 miles or so. Would this be an issue? Any additional info such as vehicle prep would be helpful.
Sorry for so many questions.
Thanks in advance

 

[Rowdy1]

Couple Things or My $.02

If you value your life, the lives of others, the vehicles your towing with and towing and you don't know what your doing, stay home. I've been towing cars for years and over kill in every aspect still doesn't guarantee you'll make it in one piece. If the tow vehicle isn't set up for towing something properly, you "might" make it, you might not. If the trailer or towing unit, wheel dolly etc. isn't right, your looking for disaster. I've had a few open and four enclosed trailers including my current one which a 36' tri axle goose neck and unless you buy commercial insurance on THAT trailer, the owner of the truck and trailer is NOT responsible for anything he tows, friend or no friend. When I move a vehicle for close friends which is the only time I do, I make it VERY clear, the vehicle is NOT covered by me in any way shape or form. You may think you're going to save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself but in reality you're not. Nobody can compete with the whole package of insurance, experience and cost per mile than the people that have been doing it as an established business. Just my personal experience and $.02, good luck.

 

[ocsm158]

I used National Transport when I bought my '74 last year. They moved it from Grand Junction, CO to Elkhorn, NE for $600, fully insured and it took about a week from purchase to delivery, no problems at all.

 

[KANE]

This sound just like my situation, same 4-runner, C3 vette. Did uhaul give you any grief for using the 4-runner. How did it handle the load? At the beginning of the trip I'll be going through some hilly areas but only for about 100 miles or so. Would this be an issue? Any additional info such as vehicle prep would be helpful.
Sorry for so many questions.
Thanks in advance

My 4Runner did great. It did have a towing package and could easily negotiate over the road travel. It is rather flat on I-65 though.

I think Rowdy makes several good points...

If you value your life, the lives of others, the vehicles your towing with and towing and you don't know what your doing, stay home. I've been towing cars for years and over kill in every aspect still doesn't guarantee you'll make it in one piece. If the tow vehicle isn't set up for towing something properly, you "might" make it, you might not. If the trailer or towing unit, wheel dolly etc. isn't right, your looking for disaster. I've had a few open and four enclosed trailers including my current one which a 36' tri axle goose neck and unless you buy commercial insurance on THAT trailer, the owner of the truck and trailer is NOT responsible for anything he tows, friend or no friend. When I move a vehicle for close friends which is the only time I do, I make it VERY clear, the vehicle is NOT covered by me in any way shape or form. You may think you're going to save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself but in reality you're not. Nobody can compete with the whole package of insurance, experience and cost per mile than the people that have been doing it as an established business. Just my personal experience and $.02, good luck.

I think Rowdy is saying this: Your results may vary based upon your vehicle, your ability to tie your load down & secure your trailer, and your skill driving that vehicle with that trailer.

He's got a good point- especially about skill. Anyone can rent a trailer, hook it up, and then drive. It does take a little more to do it safely and do it well.

If you are serious- I'd say practice- practice a lot. Get comfortable. Besides- if you decide it is more than you want to do... it is best to find out before you get there and have a car loaded on that trailer!

I've driven cars & light trucks /SUVs with many types of trailers cross country (NC to the rockies, KS to VA... mountains, plains, and so forth). I've also been doing this for 10 years. I'm very comfortable doing it.

Hope that helps!

 

[White75]

Thanks everyone for the input. I have towed trailers in the past, everything from jetskis to fully loaded trailers (I'm pretty darned good at backing up ) so pulling a trailer doesn't freak me out. However after crunching numbers and getting quotes, I decided to get a car shipper to do the work.

Using the 4-runner was too risky since I was at the upper level of the weight limit of it's capacity. Plus the round trip gas and trailer rental were getting to the point of what it would cost to ship. Add the time off work and family and I ixnayed that.

Borrowing was kiboshed due to the above reasons as well.

Renting a uhaul truck and trailer ended up being the most expensive venture and unless I was moving the house, it was way too much.

So since pickup date was pretty flexible, I was able to get a pretty inexpensive rate of $450 door to door insured. This was in part because there is a 2011 Challenger going the same route that a driver would double up on the load so I got the cheaper rate.

So now the waiting game ensues.

 

[Rowdy1]

Good For You

I think you made a wise decision.

 

[Rex S]

Shipping really isn't that expensive one you look at it like you did. U Haul has gotten nuts with their prices. When my son moved back to TX from CT we bought a new small trailer for about $200.00 more than U Haul wanted for a one way rental. Still have it and it comes in handy.

 

[White75]

I think you made a wise decision.

Me too. Now I can't wait to get it in the garage and on the street!
I think the wait is going to kill me.

 

[White75]

Shipping really isn't that expensive one you look at it like you did. U Haul has gotten nuts with their prices. When my son moved back to TX from CT we bought a new small trailer for about $200.00 more than U Haul wanted for a one way rental. Still have it and it comes in handy.

I hear ya! I remember when it was a good deal. Now it's borderline outrageous. We got a utility trailer when we were working on a lake lot before we ended up moving and we used that to haul a bunch of our stuff to Texas. We've gotten our money out of it and it's going up on Craigslist to make room in the garage for the vette. I'd keep it if I had room to store it for the very reason that it comes in handy sometimes.

 

[suzttec]

Alright here's the scenario. I have a 78 SA that is waiting pick up for me in north Alabama.
I want to get the car to my house in Texas (Houston area) as cheaply as possible. The car's not current on registration and I would be hesitant to drive it 800 miles without that or a full checkup since it really hasn't been driven in a number of years.

Here are my options:
1. I have a Toyota 4-runner V8 with the tow package but don't know if that's enough to pull a U-haul trailer with it. Prosrobably cheapest route Cons: lots of driving, don't know of the ability to tow with the Toyota

2. Rent a U-haul truck with trailer. Pros: would tow no problem. Cons: driving a practically empty truck (unless I pick up other stuff along the way).

3. Borrow friends truck and/or trailer. Pros: probably cheap. Cons: Insurance and risk, limited availability

4. Car Shipping company. Pros: no driving on my part. Cons: Cost, lack of trust, don't know who's the best, availability (could take a month for delivery)

Has anyone done anything like this and what do you recommend. If you have recommendations on companies, pass those along as well.
I'd like to pick her up in March-May.
Thanks!

You're best bet is going with an Auto Transport Company. Search google for “Auto Transport” “Car Shipping” and “Car Transportation” get quotes and compare rates. You should also check out the auto transport company track record at transport reviews.

Rule of thumb is 32¢/mile

I've shipped cars before for
NY-FL $500
FL-CA $750