Car Transporter Needed

Jim Kilday
Jim Kilday Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I bought a new toy and I need a transporter from North Hollywood, CA to Bozeman. It's a 1990 Mercedes 560 SEC with less than 25K miles so it's almost a collectible although I intend to put 3-4K miles on it a year.



I've used Fed Ex Auto Transport before and they are a first-rate carrier but they are giving me a 21 day (maybe more) pickup date.



Does anyone know and trust a carrier with using enclosed van they could recommend?



Thanks



jim

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Give DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) a try. They worked great for me on another vehicle move.
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Contact HET member Val Smith (owner of Motor Classic in Chino, Cal.) will do towing for club members at special discounted rates. Local & one-way. Call 1-909 628-0792. Very nice person to deal with and not far from North Hollywood.



    Lee
  • forjack842
    forjack842 Expert Adviser
    I've got a 29 Hudson Super 6 Town Sedan that needs transport from Virginia to North LA County Calif. I do not want it started so it must be pulled onto car carrier. Not rich so I need good safe handling for about 1K or so. I'd like to schedule the move within 30 days.

    How does the cross country transporters rate versus price?

    Suggestions very welcome

    Thanks

    Jack
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    DAS customer satisfaction rating averages 70%



    Transport from the west coast east is at a premium



    Not much going in to California these days ....



    Brokers will quote you below cost rates all day long



    That is to secure a nominal credit car deposit :rolleyes:



    Then you deal with driver when your car is delivered

    and the price can be whatever the driver decides ...



    You have a civil contract and the driver can

    keep your car on his trailer, impound it, store it

    at additional cost if you do not pay .....



    #2 diesel is around $3.25 a gallon nationwide

    up $1.00 a gallon from last year :eek:



    With transport, you do get what you pay for ;)





    Jim
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    forjack842 wrote:
    I've got a 29 Hudson Super 6 Town Sedan that needs transport from Virginia to North LA County Calif. I do not want it started so it must be pulled onto car carrier. Not rich so I need good safe handling for about 1K or so. I'd like to schedule the move within 30 days.

    How does the cross country transporters rate versus price?

    Suggestions very welcome

    Thanks

    Jack



    3,000 miles for a grand? Thats 33 cents a mile, and IRS allows 50 cents for an automobile! Back when diesel was a buck and a half, most everybody was quoting a dollar a loaded mile, and its a lot more than that now. I can't imagine you'll get it hauled for less than $3,000, and that would be on a "I'll do it if somebody cancels someday" basis. :(



    Go to www dot ytmag dot com (a tractor forum); on left side of page, second block down is "Community", second category from the bottom is "Hauling Schedule". You can enter info as either a hauler or haulee. I'd give that a try (but you won't get a closed trailer, probably). I used it once, hauled a guy's Farmall tractor from about 5 miles from my home in western Washington to his new place in NE Washington- 400 miles, $300. It was on my way to Montana. He was tickled, so was I.
  • forjack842
    forjack842 Expert Adviser
    I have a 7 day quote from National Transport for $1875. from Virginia to Calif. LA Area. Man I hope its not a bunch more! I'm kind of working with a fixed amount of cash for this transport with a couple hundred reserve.



    I can't believe its gonna be that much more since I'm not tthe only car on the train so to speak. Costs are shared by all vechiles being carried, correct?



    Here's the reviews.... there's no mention of being raped at delivery.

    This place seems to be highly thought of.

    http://www.transportreviews.com/company/national-transport-llc.asp
  • Jim Kilday
    Jim Kilday Expert Adviser
    I have used FedEx Auto Transport before and found them to be excellent. However, after I asked them for a firm quote, which was $1,505 from North Hollywood, CA to Bozeman--a distance of 1,100 miles--FedEx told me that all their trucks were on the East coast hauling Snowbirds cars up north and could not give me a semi-firm date before May 1.



    I then searched the Web until I stumbled on Transport Services based in Boca Raton, FL. They quoted $1,495 and an estimated pick-up date of 4/21. They asked for a $300 up-front deposit--something FedEx doesn't do. They notified me the next day that the car would be picked-up on 4/23 and would be delivered 4/27 . It was really the persistance and tenacity of Ryan, the person with whom I spoke to in the Boca office that caused me to choose this firm. The Customer Service unit called and gave me a daily update until the car was picked up. Afterwards, they gave me the driver's cell phone number.



    Once the car had been picked up, the driver and I were in contact daily.



    Really, it was quite painless. I would not hesitate to recommend them highly with the caveat that these are independent contractors working off a central dispatch system and you may get a lemon. This particular trip could not have gone better--the car was transported in an enclosed trailer--a big beautiful 18-wheeler. It was a husband and wife team that roam the country picking up and delivering cars.



    The car was transported with the covers on it and arrived without any problems--no nicks, no dings, no problem. I paid the Mrs. the balance of the fee in cash. Couldn't have gone more smoothly.





    Jim Kilday
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I know we are talking enclosed trailer here, but I recently used Jim Guinn (open trailer) as recommended here on the forum and he was the best. Very efficient and conciencious. He is also a Hudson guy and knows Hudsons which is nice. Highly recommended.
  • forjack842
    forjack842 Expert Adviser
    Well the process is started! Went with National Transport. They have the best reviewes from the customers posting as far back as the posting go. $1895 enclosed, east coast to west coast, not running and witha leaky tire. My 29 SS SS lady will be relocated to her new home well protected! She should be picked up next week. Excited for sure!!

    Jack
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    That's great!! Please post some pictures when you get a chance.
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