Does anybody have a recommendation for an enclosed trailer hauler? I need to move a car from Sacramento to Castroville on 8/17/11. So far, I have gotten bids of $770 and $800. I may have to rent my own Uhaul and trailer. Jag

 

Can't really give you any recommendations, all the ones I looked at were $1400 and above from North Platte Ne. to Glencoe, Al. So I am just going to rent a U-Haul for $348 and go on a long road trip this Friday! That price is for an open car hauler and the have a minimum price which includes 6 days of use, only need it for 2 days.

 

From things I've read and one personal experience, the key is to contract directly with the hauler, not a broker. My son had two excellent experiences with DAS, most people have not.

 

I'm assuming that it's for your wife's classic vehicle...???

I have an open car trailer and would do it for you for less, but I'll be on vacation in WA until 8/20.





You can also get a AAA Premier membership. You get 200 miles of free towing. It's $109 for the membership. I have a few friends that have used this service to tow some classic vehicles when needed.

 

I agree, I have used DAS twice to ship vehicles from IN to SoCal...both experiences were positive. When I bought my 50 Merc I went through a broker since it was so difficult to get a shipper to commit to a pickup in northern Montana. When the car was delivered the driver gave me his card and said it I ever needed another car hauled to call him directly and we would both save some cash over the broker's prices.

Do you really need a enclosed trailer? I have a car hauler and when I am hauling "nice" cars I just cover them to protect the paint. One guy in our truck club has an enclosed trailer for his show truck that he lends out on occasion, maybe you could check on Craigslist to see it anyone offers that service in your area or even run an ad seeking it.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am sending the wife's 55 Vicky to the Mecum Auction in Monterey to go across the auction block at 11:20am on 8/20/11. I am looking for an enclosed trailer because I am worried about the chance of a rock being shot off of a truck tire and chipping the paint or windshield. If I am unable to find one, as mentioned, on Craigslist or the internet I will just drive it the 198 miles. If I do drive it, we will prob leave about 3:00am to miss most of the traffic on the 5 freeway. I wish I still had my 68 Ford PU to use as a tow vehicle.

Thanks, Jag

 

Driving it to the auction would seem to be a big selling advantage (assuming there are no problems!)

 

Ross, that's very true. I am confident that there would be no driving issues on the trip. We have driven it to shows that were 180 miles round trip with no issues. My only worry is a road problem causing a chip/crack in the windshield or paint three days before the auction. But, you can be sure that if I do end up driving it without incident, I'll be bragging to the perspective buyers! Jag

 

One of the members in our truck club sold his 55 F100 at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale...when he was pulling it around to enter the building he caught a curb with the front fender and dinged it up pretty good. Needless to say he was really upset...the truck still brought $80K, hard telling how much he lost due to the damage.

 

I watched the Barrett Jackson Orange County Auction this last weekend. They had two Crown Vics that sold on the auction block. One was a 56 that was a little rough in spots went for $46K. The other was a 55 glass-top that looked very very nice that went for $78. Several Ford trucks looked like people were getting bargains. But I have to be strong and resist the urge to buy more. We are trying to reduce our fleet, not grow it! Jag

 

Since you have a little time, post it on Uship.com. Various shippers will bid on the load and you can pick from someone with feedback and price that makes you comfortable. There are options like insisting that it's covered, detailed on arrival, etc. I've hauled quite a bit on there and had stuff hauled for me as well. Every time it's been stress-free and much keeper than a nation-wide service provider.

 

Larry, I have not used uship before. Is the deal binding or is it just an offer? John

 

My god, how could any F100 bring that kind of money?? Not like it was a flathead with Ardun heads Seriously, that is astronomical! And the Crown Vics selling for that kind of money is 50% higher than I'd have figured. I think I'll bring my truck out there....

 

Ross, I believe that it's the venue. I've been to many auctions where the prices seemed way higher than the results you could get on the open market. Also, it doesn't hurt that some of the auctions give out free booze to the buyers. Jag

 

If you accept the bid, it's binding. You don't have to accept it until you're satisfied. You can ask questions to the haulers and vice versa. The only thing you can't do is exchange contact info because that's how the website makes a little money.