Moving should I ship vette or drive

MCNE · 02-12-06, 02:27 AM

Well here I go again. Moving about 1400 miles away around May of this year. Last move was easy I chose to drive the vettte to my new place of work. Didn't want my car being handled plus the move was only 350 miles.

Has anyone ever shipped there car with a moving company? What was it like and was it a good move. I will drive if I need to. At least I'm moving south this time. Also my company will ship the car for free.

Thanks,

MCNE

NC2Stay · 02-12-06, 07:23 AM

It was a while ago, but I had my Camaro shipped when I moved. I had no choice because we had to drive other cars.

The experience went well. After loading all the household goods, they put down ramps and had me drive the car in to the moving van. Now, this is a debate: whether to let them do it (hopefully more experienced) or to do it yourself and be "sure". Anyhow, I did it myself. Of course, the Camaro had a much higher ground clearance than a Vette, and that is something you might need to look into - i.e. scraping on the ramp.

They seemed to strap it down pretty well, and at the other end I also drove it off. No problems, but I am sure you will find a scare story for every situation.

Good luck in the move.

Bob

02-12-06, 07:38 AM

I moved a '64 Chevelle from NY to Texas and it went well. They just drove it onto the moving van and it came through the whole experience fine, no problems. I watched them load it and watched thm unload it. Bekins did the move, along with all of the household goods.

mark

alka1967 · 02-12-06, 08:44 AM

When I bought my vette, it was shipped from Atlanta on an open carrier. It got here fine, just very dirty. I used the same carrier to ship my 280ZX to my son in Texas and there was a plate under the car that got bent a little from the chain that held the car to the truck bed, but didn't really hurt anything and, of course, the car was very dirty when it got to Austin. We had a neighbor ship a car using the same closed van that their furniture was on and it got to Calf. OK.

JJS · 02-12-06, 09:34 AM

I wouldn't ship mine in anything but an enclosed car carried. I had Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS) ship mine across the country in an enclosed carrier when I purchased my car. That's all they do, and they stay on the major highways because the carriers are so high. Also, if you choose to have an auto carrier transport your car, pay the extra $100.00 or so to get your car up on top of the carrier. You don't want fluids from another vehicle dripping all over your car. This service might cost and extra $1000-$1500, but it's well worth the money. If they want you to relocate bad enough, they'll gladly pay for it.

Samauriwarrior · 02-12-06, 10:36 AM

I shipped my truck from Texas to Michigan. After my household goods were loaded I drove my truck onto the truck. the only problem I had and something you should think about is after they left my house they picked up some other house stuff. They put a panel across the top of my truck and even though it had clearance when they loaded stuff it bowed and rub the roof of my truck. Probably not a problem with a vette but just passing on a lesson learned (as opposed to a lesson observed but were gonna do it anyway).

74bigblock · 02-12-06, 10:51 AM

Drive it.... not worth the agrivation if something happens. Sure it can be fixed, but once it's broke, it will never be the same. Better to ship a daily driver on an open trailer and drive the vette. Besides... nothing like a nice road trip!

Vettefan87 · 02-12-06, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74bigblock

Drive it.... not worth the agrivation if something happens. Sure it can be fixed, but once it's broke, it will never be the same. Better to ship a daily driver on an open trailer and drive the vette. Besides... nothing like a nice road trip!

I agree to that. It will make the trip more fun that is for sure.

MCNE · 02-12-06, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74bigblock

Drive it.... not worth the agrivation if something happens. Sure it can be fixed, but once it's broke, it will never be the same. Better to ship a daily driver on an open trailer and drive the vette. Besides... nothing like a nice road trip!

I am considering it. I called a friend on mine in Davie, FL to see if I could store my vette at his house if I drive it. I'll need to check with the moving company on the details if I have it shipped. That's a long drive alone.

MCNE

GuyzVette · 02-13-06, 01:01 PM

I just bought mine in Atlanta 2 months ago, and drove it back 1000 miles to Kansas. Shipping companies quoted $750 for an open trailer. Cost me less than $250 to fly there and drive it back myself, including gas and food. I have 2 young kids so I enjoyed the alone time.

FFAST87 · 02-13-06, 05:37 PM

My mother in law passed away Last year....and left my wife her brand new Impala.....3,000 miles on it. Well I live in Jersey...her mom in Florida...Had a choice...fly down and drive back....big hastle...especially in Winter....I may not have wanted to return, or have the car shipped.
Well I chose the latter. I had it shipped....open car carrier......cost me $630 door to door. The car arrived...filthy dirty on the outside....needed a real bath...big time. But aside from that...no problems.
Now had it been a Corvette...I would have gone with an enclosed transporter...which I believe was in the neihborhood of 1100-1300 bucks.
So the choice is yours....Get prices....but if you do decide to go with a transporter....do your homework.....check out the company.....some are not so reputable. Oh btw, that is how I ended up with my 87. The guy was moving from Jersey to Florida but didn't want # 1, a Black Corvette there in the Heat.....and did'nt want to drive or ship it...so he decided to sell.
Good Luck!!!

MCNE · 02-13-06, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFAST87

My mother in law passed away Last year....and left my wife her brand new Impala.....3,000 miles on it. Well I live in Jersey...her mom in Florida...Had a choice...fly down and drive back....big hastle...especially in Winter....I may not have wanted to return, or have the car shipped.
Well I chose the latter. I had it shipped....open car carrier......cost me $630 door to door. The car arrived...filthy dirty on the outside....needed a real bath...big time. But aside from that...no problems.
Now had it been a Corvette...I would have gone with an enclosed transporter...which I believe was in the neihborhood of 1100-1300 bucks.
So the choice is yours....Get prices....but if you do decide to go with a transporter....do your homework.....check out the company.....some are not so reputable. Oh btw, that is how I ended up with my 87. The guy was moving from Jersey to Florida but didn't want # 1, a Black Corvette there in the Heat.....and did'nt want to drive or ship it...so he decided to sell.
Good Luck!!!

I just found out today that the moving company uses an open car carrier. Not sure how many cars but it is open. Cost of shipping isn't an issue because it's a part of my relocation package. I'm leaning towards driving it now. What I'm going to ask is if they will reimburse me for the mileage if I drive.

I also have a black car but I would buy another one even in Florida. They are awesome clean. The problem is they only stay that way for a few minutes.

JJS · 02-14-06, 06:42 AM

If it's open carrier, the hell with it, drive the car yourself.
Did you ask your employer if they'd pay for a company like DAS?
It NEVER hurts to ask. Let's face it, you're turning your whole world upside down by relocating. That's the least they could do as far as I'm concerned.
That would've been my first question to my manager.

FFAST87 · 02-14-06, 08:51 AM

There are companies who transport enclosed. They specialize in more expensive specialized cars. I believe BMW, Mercedes transport all their high end stuff new that way. But there are companies for preowned, private owners. Check online for "Enclosed Motor CArriers or Enclosed Auto Transporters. I would go that way rather than drive the distamce......unless of course your into that sort of thing..then enjoy the long drive!!!! Just dont forget to wave!!!!

SPANISHVETTS · 02-14-06, 12:49 PM

If I were in the US I would drive it for you. I love road trips in Vettes. I crossed the US 2 times in my cousin’s 59. Did the New Orleans to New York run 5 times in my 60 and did LA to Hot-Lanta several times in the 63 as well as trips from Georgia to Key wasted and back.
Every year we do several European tours in the Vette that are probably +/- 3000 miles each and today I did a 300 mile round trip in Thunder taking my wife/sweetheart to Marbella for Valentine’s Day lunch.
I say drive it but I am probably biased.