About Auto Transport your A/S/RS5

[xuandatou]

I'm planning to move from Twin Cities to San Francisco (2000 miles) to start my graduate school life there in this August.

And of course I need to transport all my stuff ( will be packed in 8-12 cases ) and my S5.

I do not want to start a road trip with my S5, however I really have to drive a full-size SUV or U-haul truck there

I've searched for many different solutions but did not find any one that is very suitable for my situation. I also found this (truck and trailer):

[IMG] QQ截图20140319024703 by xuandatou, on Flickr[/IMG]


Will this work? or maybe this is pain in the ass for such a long road trip (eg. hard to drive, inconvenience for parking & gas refill )

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice for this situation. Thanks a million !

[noshadow]

I've done it with that exact config a few times. Overall, not too bad. It's a pain in the ass to reverse or park anywhere. Getting your car onto the transport is tricky, especially if you're lowered.

[xuandatou]

I've done it with that exact config a few times. Overall, not too bad. It's a pain in the ass to reverse or park anywhere. Getting your car onto the transport is tricky, especially if you're lowered.

Thanks a lot !

Loading is also my big concern since I lowered my car as well. Will it be pretty stable on the trailer once it has been loaded?

[HP Hungry S5]

Have you done a cost comparison of shipping vs. towing yet?

[NYSpeedRacer]

Thanks a lot !

Loading is also my big concern since I lowered my car as well. Will it be pretty stable on the trailer once it has been loaded?

It's as safe as you load it. Make sure you use wheel straps on all for wheel and do your best to tape up the front or protect it. It WILL get pelted by debris. There is no doubt about that, however, do not put a car cover on it as it'll only fly off and cause an accident. Several layers of painters tape should do.

When load, try using 2x4s if you need additional clearance and make sure the trailer is connected first.

One more thing, make sure you check on the weight on the truck and etc. You don't want to overburden the engine, especially on inclines through the Rockies. When we moved, we tend to overload the truck which is blah....

As for gas mileage, please on anywhere between 5-9mpg....

[ragazzi_07]

i would transport via enclosed trailer.....rock chips and damage alone would turn me off.

[NYSpeedRacer]

i would transport via enclosed trailer.....rock chips and damage alone would turn me off.

Enclosed is crazy expensive these days. I work for an automotive manufacture and we had to ship a car from NJ to FL enclosed carrier $5k that was last year. Typically open trailer from N-S is $1.2k and that's by the truckload. Enclosed he's looking at close to $2k.

Just get mud flaps at a truck stop....

[Pilfer]

F$ck that's expensive. I hope to be making almost the exact same move in the next year. I shipped an explorer to Philly from San Francisco and then back again but it wasn't in a closed container. This was almost ten years ago but I thought it was closer to 1000 dollars. Looks like I'll be taking a road trip when I move.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HP Hungry S5]

When I shipped my previous car from NY to CA back in 2009 it was an open trailer but I was able to pick where on the trailer I wanted it. I chose the spot right behind the truck on the first level to try and avoid any debris and my car arrived just fine. It was $700 for an open trailer back in 2009.

[man03999]

I would just fly there and ship everything else with you. The cost of plane ticket and shipping will be similar to road trip. I have drove from Arizona to Wisconsin with the biggest uhaul truck towing a gto on a flat trailer, let's just say the air brakes didn't really work when I'm driving through the mountains.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

[man03999]

Enclosed is crazy expensive these days. I work for an automotive manufacture and we had to ship a car from NJ to FL enclosed carrier $5k that was last year. Typically open trailer from N-S is $1.2k and that's by the truckload. Enclosed he's looking at close to $2k.

Just get mud flaps at a truck stop....

But them you have to factor in the gas, rental cost, and his time. IMO it will cost to 2k in the end.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

[chrissswww]

I'll drive to SF when you get there!

[NYSpeedRacer]

But them you have to factor in the gas, rental cost, and his time. IMO it will cost to 2k in the end.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

Good Point....Depending on how much he'll have to move, I would recommend a container for all his stuff and drive his car over as a road trip....unless he didn't want miles. It'll be an awesome road trip with some fantastic road, especially in an S5

[noshadow]

Good Point....Depending on how much he'll have to move, I would recommend a container for all his stuff and drive his car over as a road trip....unless he didn't want miles. It'll be an awesome road trip with some fantastic road, especially in an S5

I second this. I don't know the details of the situation, or the cost, but it sounds like fun.

Those "pods" that you can load up that are delivered would be awesome. Then just plow through the states and stop at really cool places. Try to hitup roads that are well known.

These aren't all on the way or even in the U.S., but you get the point: http://twistedsifter.com/2013/03/roa...efore-you-die/

[noshadow]

I'll drive to SF when you get there!

we should do a SF/California meetup?

[mobileops]

Check Plycar. NY to Wisconsin 2K enclosed trailer. Worth every penny. Car went on and came off perfect.

[NYSpeedRacer]

Check Plycar. NY to Wisconsin 2K enclosed trailer. Worth every penny. Car went on and came off perfect.

Plycar is definitely one of my favorites along with Horseless Carriage. When we need a speciality vehicle transported, Plycar gets our vote everytime, but it's usually dedicated.

[xuandatou]

I'll drive to SF when you get there!

Sure, lets meet up !

[xuandatou]

Thanks a a lot for all your advice, especially for NYSpeedRacer !!!

I'm still doing research and trying to reach the best solution. The quote from U-Haul for Truck & Auto Transport Trailer is around $2100 (excluding gas & Hotel Stay)

[xuandatou]

Plycar is definitely one of my favorites along with Horseless Carriage. When we need a speciality vehicle transported, Plycar gets our vote everytime, but it's usually dedicated.

Should I just give Plycar a call and ask for a quote?

[xuandatou]

we should do a SF/California meetup?

Agreed !

[xuandatou]

Check Plycar. NY to Wisconsin 2K enclosed trailer. Worth every penny. Car went on and came off perfect.

Thanks a lot!!! That would be awsome if the total cost is under $2000

[GSS5]

could you let me know what plycar quotes you? i'm looking to ship my car back to ny for the summer. def need closed transport. the car i shipped from ny to ca with open transport had some debris/rock damage..and it cost about $1400.

[xuandatou]

could you let me know what plycar quotes you? i'm looking to ship my car back to ny for the summer. def need closed transport. the car i shipped from ny to ca with open transport had some debris/rock damage..and it cost about $1400.

For Sure,man!

I will let you know !

[rasetsu]

Enclosed is crazy expensive these days. I work for an automotive manufacture and we had to ship a car from NJ to FL enclosed carrier $5k that was last year. Typically open trailer from N-S is $1.2k and that's by the truckload. Enclosed he's looking at close to $2k.

Just get mud flaps at a truck stop....

I had a brand new G35 transported via covered carrier in 2007 from Los Angeles to Dallas for about $1200. Guess times have changed. The peace of mind and passing on the liability was worth it.

Whatever method you choose to transport, do a crap load of research especially on the transport companies. There are some really bad stories out there. The moving industry is infamous for ripping people off and holding your stuff for ransom.