Any positive or negative recs for cross country auto shippers

NVHoo · 10-12-2019, 08:00 PM

Need to truck a car from PA to Vegas

Sportstick · 10-12-2019, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVHoo

Need to truck a car from PA to Vegas

PM sent

morphomeman · 10-13-2019, 06:48 AM

The actual shipping is done by individual contractors with trucks. The companies are brokers, so unless one broker is better at vetting the truckers, it's pretty much the luck of the draw. That said, it is in the interest of reputable brokers not to have dissatisfied customers.

Sportstick · 10-13-2019, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphomeman

The actual shipping is done by individual contractors with trucks. The companies are brokers, so unless one broker is better at vetting the truckers, it's pretty much the luck of the draw. That said, it is in the interest of reputable brokers not to have dissatisfied customers.

That is true in many, but not all cases. Some vehicle transport companies have their own fleet of haulers and the drivers are their direct employees. Often, they provide closed trailer service to vehicle manufacturers (not production going to dealers, but prototypes and show cars). Two examples are Select 1 Group and Reliable. Select 1 has provided me excellent service.

Maynard · 10-13-2019, 09:29 AM

You can't find anybody reliable willing to drive it for you, to Vegas? I'd think travel costs there and back would be cheaper. Dealerships often have employees who do this regularly, and if you ask around they may know somebody interested in freelancing to Vegas (would not go through a generic ride-broker, just use pros).
Use an enclosed trailer if at all possible. May help to get a quick estimate on cost to repair a single door ding, or paint-correct one panel, before you decide these are too expensive.
Use a company that either hires the drivers, or uses a regular pool of them.
Unless it is one of the dedicated transporters, I would only use a once-on, once-off company, no shuffling between trucks at a depot someplace.
If you go open-trailer, do not put a cover on it (wind whipping these will often buff through the paint); You could try to wrap it like the dealerships do, with cling-plastic or painters tape (buddy of mine got the dealership to give him the wraps as they unwrapped a new shipment and it worked well, but was many years ago and things may have changed).

M Smurf · 10-16-2019, 11:43 AM

I used these guys after doing a lot of research and talking with several brokers. Had my current ride shipped from Georgia to MN.

Would Definitely do it again.

https://www.vehicleshippinggroup.com/

One takeaway from my research is that BMWs needs attention paid to how it's tied down to the carrier, re the suspension. Bring that up once you decide to go this route.

Also similar if you ever get your car towed, FYI

10-12-2019, 08:00 PM	#1
NVHoo Second Lieutenant 159 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2011 128i red convertible Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Any positive or negative recs for cross country auto shippers Need to truck a car from PA to Vegas
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10-13-2019, 06:48 AM	#3
morphomeman Major 593 Rep 1,219 Posts Drives: 2015 M235ix Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M235ix [0.00]	The actual shipping is done by individual contractors with trucks. The companies are brokers, so unless one broker is better at vetting the truckers, it's pretty much the luck of the draw. That said, it is in the interest of reputable brokers not to have dissatisfied customers.
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10-13-2019, 09:29 AM	#5
Maynard Colonel 3833 Rep 2,870 Posts Drives: 228iX & M2C Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (1)	You can't find anybody reliable willing to drive it for you, to Vegas? I'd think travel costs there and back would be cheaper. Dealerships often have employees who do this regularly, and if you ask around they may know somebody interested in freelancing to Vegas (would not go through a generic ride-broker, just use pros). Use an enclosed trailer if at all possible. May help to get a quick estimate on cost to repair a single door ding, or paint-correct one panel, before you decide these are too expensive. Use a company that either hires the drivers, or uses a regular pool of them. Unless it is one of the dedicated transporters, I would only use a once-on, once-off company, no shuffling between trucks at a depot someplace. If you go open-trailer, do not put a cover on it (wind whipping these will often buff through the paint); You could try to wrap it like the dealerships do, with cling-plastic or painters tape (buddy of mine got the dealership to give him the wraps as they unwrapped a new shipment and it worked well, but was many years ago and things may have changed).
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10-16-2019, 11:43 AM	#6
M Smurf Lieutenant 157 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2013 328i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (1)	Vehicle Shipping Group I used these guys after doing a lot of research and talking with several brokers. Had my current ride shipped from Georgia to MN. Would Definitely do it again. https://www.vehicleshippinggroup.com/ One takeaway from my research is that BMWs needs attention paid to how it's tied down to the carrier, re the suspension. Bring that up once you decide to go this route. Also similar if you ever get your car towed, FYI
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