Transporting a DeLorean long distances

[refugeefromcalif]

I would only choose an enclosed carrier if the car is an investment and not driven. It would have more likelihood of being damaged while being driven then being hauled. Having said that, it's a car, and it's meant to be driven.

I treat my D the same as I do All my vehicles, (that goes with anything I own), as an Investment that I want to keep in as nice of shape as possible while I own/use it.
That doesn't mean I'm going to Mistreat it, if I have $$$ to send it away for service a little Safer. (In my mind).
Dirty I don't mind but, Damaged in transit his Not an option that I'd like to happen. (Yes I know, Sh*t happens in the Best of worlds).

I drive my D more then I do my 2012 Grand Caravan because, (Like you), I believe that it's a Car and was meant to be driven.
(And it's more Fun to drive then a Mini van)...

I was going somewhere with this, but I had a Senior moment and my Train of thought left the station...

George

[beernpizzalover]

I would say DO NOT put a cover on the car for shipping. The cover will flap and bang the crap out of the body, basically polishing that spot. You don't drive a car with a cover on it, so only 1000 miles cross country should be nothing for a car. I just transported a DeLorean about 2800 miles cross country with an open car hauler and it arrived dirty, but after a bath it was fine.

Interesting...I've already purchased a car cover (with a cable tie/lock included) from the Delorean.com website. And I was already to put it to good use.
But that's some good food for thought; much-appreciated!

[beernpizzalover]

I paid $1050 for the 2800 mile tow via uShip. The carrier was insured and I had great coverage of my own on the DeLorean so I wasn't concerned at all. Any damage in transit would have been covered, of which there was none.

-edit- This shipment was in January 2013.

Thank you for the contact name; I will Google them and get some estimates for shipping costs.
Thanks again!
Scott in Seattle

[beernpizzalover]

I'll chime in on this.

I needed to ship 6599 to DMC Florida for warranty work and some upgrades a few weeks ago.
I did some searches on the inter-webs for transport companies but, ended up asking Tony @ DMC F who they used, And Trusted when they shipped their cars.

I ended up paying $875 for a bit over a 700 mile trip and was Very Happy with the enclosed trailer, driver and the Company that it went there in.
I wouldn't even Consider an Open trailer for my car.

(Of course once my car is ready, I have to pay that again to get it back to me)...

I'd recommend an Enclosed trailer and, a carrier that has their own trucks and drivers. Stay away from brokers! (If you value/love your car).

George

EDIT: Call a local DMC dealer/vender to you now, or a vender close to where you want the car moved to. See who they recommend for transporting.
Just saw Daves post.

An excellent reminder about contactiong the DMC dealers themselves to see who they recommend - and trust!
FYI, I visted the DMC (Florida) in Bonita Springs last Fall; they're some great guys down there!!

[beernpizzalover]

I have the company's info at home if you need it.

That would be great - if you can find their name & number. No real hurry, I'm just gathering-up some estimates at this point in time.
Thanks a lot!
Scott

[beernpizzalover]

If you call one of the carriers be prepared to be inundated with offers from other truckers. There is a clearing house of some sort that all the carriers subscribe to I think.

I think you're right! I was king of warned about the same thing a few days ago while talking to one local trucker.

[beernpizzalover]

I generally recommend Passport Transport Co. Always enclosed and typically the other cars on the truck are worth as much or more than the DeLorean. No affilation, just we've used them a lot and never had an issue.

The biggest problem with brokers/U-ship is that you never know who the carrier is going to be. Sometimes they are pros with an empty space on the truck, sometimes they are idiots trying to get into the trucking business. You'll get very mixed reviews because of this.

Even in a closed carrier the car may get a bit dusty on the trip, but you won't have to worry about rocks and vandalism.

I heard Passport mentioned the other day in talking with someone else. Thanks for the back-up recommendation - and advice!

[Shep]

Actually it might have, but it would only damage the truck and/or your cable TV wiring. . .

Backwards, yes. Forwards it should've been fine, as the curvature of the cab would have pushed the cable up and over the trailer. Open transports don't have that kind of luxury since the cars can get caught going either direction (VW Bus comes to mind).

Although a single-level enclosed transport would be fine wherever it goes, and there's no "elevator" necessary. More maneuverable, and you may be able to ensure that there aren't other cars to damage it. Pianos may be a different story, as Iznodmad can attest to (Shipping Wars ). Depending on who you go with, this may or may not be more expensive than a double-level enclosed transport, but you get what you pay for. The cheapest prices are probably amateurs who run the risk of screwing something up and causing damage, particularly if it's their first time shipping something with wheels.

[DMCMW Dave]

The problem with U-ship is that you are guaranteed to get the low bidder. Not always what you want for something like this.

[eagle-co94]

That's the advantage of uShip. You don't get the lowest bidder unless you want it. You'll automatically get 2-3 bids shortly after posting an ad and then the rest will trickle in. I actually picked a shipper a couple bids above the shipper because of their length of membership with uShip, feedback rating and the fact they had insurance. The pickup and dropoff went very well and they were VERY accommodating.