Best way to ship motorcycle from NY to CA?

[aboveH20]

Okay, Budget Board followers, I'm counting on you. (I debated about posting on Transportation or DIS Dads, but knew there are a lot of good problems solvers here!)

My son bought a trailer to haul his motorcycle from NY to CA. I was never crazy about the idea (too many mom-genes), but after a week of watching snow related 40 car pile ups on the evening news asked him to reconsider. Actually, not only asked, but said I'd pay to have his motorcycle shipped. Apparently he had been having second thoughts, too, because he didn't put up too much of a fight.

Now I have to put my money where my mouth was. Doesn't seem like shipping a motorcycle is ¢heap. Any ideas?

(He's leaving today, but is okay if it takes a month or two or three for his bike to arrive.)

 

[floridafam]

You could probably pay someone to haul it. That's what all the snowbirds do here in Florida. They fly down for the winter and car haulers bring their cars down.

 

[delmar411]

I agree with having someone haul it. If he is good with waiting until better weather then he (or you?) could hire someone driving cross country to haul it for a flat fee.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Try looking here. This is the sight that the Shipping Wars TV show uses

http://www.uship.com/

 

[aboveH20]

You could probably pay someone to haul it. That's what all the snowbirds do here in Florida. They fly down for the winter and car haulers bring their cars down.

Something I will definitely consider, although I suspect NY to FL is more popular than NY to CA.

I agree with having someone haul it. If he is good with waiting until better weather then he (or you?) could hire someone driving cross country to haul it for a flat fee.

He's in no hurry, relatively speaking!

I see you're delmar411. I grew up in Delmar, NY. You?

Try looking here. This is the sight that the Shipping Wars TV show uses

http://www.uship.com/

That is very cool. I went as far as I could, hoping to get a rough estimate. I'm not familiar with that site, looks like it could be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[blessedone03]

If I were going to ship my motorcycle I would hit up a new motorcycle dealership and see if they would let me have or buy cheap a shipping crate new motorcycles are shipped in.

You could then crate up his bike (less chance of damage to the bike), and ship it via a LTL trucking company because they could move it with a forklift and stack it in the truck. I bet this would be cheaper than a speciality mover.

 

[wiigirl]

If I were going to ship my motorcycle I would hit up a new motorcycle dealership and see if they would let me have or buy cheap a shipping crate new motorcycles are shipped in.

You could then crate up his bike (less chance of damage to the bike), and ship it via a LTL trucking company because they could move it with a forklift and stack it in the truck. I bet this would be cheaper than a speciality mover.

 

[lexysdad04]

If I were going to ship my motorcycle I would hit up a new motorcycle dealership and see if they would let me have or buy cheap a shipping crate new motorcycles are shipped in. You could then crate up his bike (less chance of damage to the bike), and ship it via a LTL trucking company because they could move it with a forklift and stack it in the truck. I bet this would be cheaper than a speciality mover.

This will be your best least expensive way to ship it, keep in mind that you will be responsible for packing it so if it's not done correctly and gets damage do to packing then they won't pay for the damage

If you go this route u can get a quote from abf.com they are a very big reliable company or u can always go fedex fright but they are usually more expensive

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[3boymthr]

For an idea on price - maybe helpful maybe not. My dad bought an antique car that was out west (somewhere west of chicago, but not on the coast). He paid $700 to have it shipped here on a car carrier with a company that does nothing but ship cars. He also bought a car in CA and had it shipped here and didn't pay too much to have it shipped, again with a car carrier company. Not sure how much he paid to have that shipped but I'm sure it wasn't too much as he only paid $300 for the car and no way would my mom have let him pay a boatload to ship a POC.

 

[MrsDrewsky]

Amtrak is another option. You have to bring and pick up the motorcycle from the train station, but it's very affordable.

 

[aboveH20]

So many helpful suggestions. I'm always impresssed with how helpful DISers are and how many people take the time to give thoughtful replies.

If I were going to ship my motorcycle I would hit up a new motorcycle dealership and see if they would let me have or buy cheap a shipping crate new motorcycles are shipped in.

You could then crate up his bike (less chance of damage to the bike), and ship it via a LTL trucking company because they could move it with a forklift and stack it in the truck. I bet this would be cheaper than a speciality mover.

I will absolutely look into that. I don't know what LTL is, but I was wondering if moving companies "rent out" extra space on their vans going cross country.

This will be your best least expensive way to ship it, keep in mind that you will be responsible for packing it so if it's not done correctly and gets damage do to packing then they won't pay for the damage

If you go this route u can get a quote from abf.com they are a very big reliable company or u can always go fedex fright but they are usually more expensive

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I will certainly check out abf.

For an idea on price - maybe helpful maybe not. My dad bought an antique car that was out west (somewhere west of chicago, but not on the coast). He paid $700 to have it shipped here on a car carrier with a company that does nothing but ship cars. He also bought a car in CA and had it shipped here and didn't pay too much to have it shipped, again with a car carrier company. Not sure how much he paid to have that shipped but I'm sure it wasn't too much as he only paid $300 for the car and no way would my mom have let him pay a boatload to ship a POC.

Good to keep in mind. My brother has my (deceased) father's prized Model A. I think he intends to sell it and buy a muscle car when my mother passes.

Amtrak is another option. You have to bring and pick up the motorcycle from the train station, but it's very affordable.

I never thought about Amtrak. When my older son moved to California (I try not to take it personally that both boys moved across country!) and wanted to ship stuff someone suggested Greyhound.

 

[jedijill]

LTL is Less than Load. Meaning, the trucking company "rents" you space on a truck that is less than a full load.

Jill in CO

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Crated on an LTL would be ideal, but you need to find someone with an account or you will get nailed. For example, my rates with various trucking companies range from 68-84% discounts. Full price is likely to be a couple grand.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I moved from NJ to California in 2001 and shipped my 4 Runner. This was in 2001. It cost me $1500. Name of company is DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers, Inc.) in Linden, NJ. Highly recommend. My Mom just moved from PA to NJ and they actually shipped her car (Honda CRV in the moving truck itself with all her stuff). That move for her....furniture, belongings, etc. and her car in the moving van cost $2000 and that was last month.

 

[Shmily1]

You may want to try this website. http://www.funtransport.com/harley-davidson/?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US&WebLogicSession=OKAU00r4hWcUjFKSFnZmW5kb4sFSJxXq4fOf63JFy2P7Q4PFDwYL!-1304931769!hiwpbmsp02.ihd.hd!7005!8005&nickname=null

It's recommended by Harley.

 

[aboveH20]

Just got a call from my son. He pulled off in Mt. Gilead, OH last night due to continued snow and is now somewhere in Indiana. He has admitted that he's glad he's not pulling a trailer. (Thank goodness.)

LTL is Less than Load. Meaning, the trucking company "rents" you space on a truck that is less than a full load.

Jill in CO

Thanks, I was trying to figure it out. I never would have come up with less than load!

Crated on an LTL would be ideal, but you need to find someone with an account or you will get nailed. For example, my rates with various trucking companies range from 68-84% discounts. Full price is likely to be a couple grand.

Yipes. I love my son, but I'd probably give him money towards a new motorcycle before paying a couple grand.

I moved from NJ to California in 2001 and shipped my 4 Runner. This was in 2001. It cost me $1500. Name of company is DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers, Inc.) in Linden, NJ. Highly recommend. My Mom just moved from PA to NJ and they actually shipped her car (Honda CRV in the moving truck itself with all her stuff). That move for her....furniture, belongings, etc. and her car in the moving van cost $2000 and that was last month.

More good information, thanks. Interesting that they put the car right in the moving van.

Thankfully I have time on my side so will be able to research all of these suggestins.

You may want to try this website. http://www.funtransport.com/harley-davidson/?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US&WebLogicSession=OKAU00r4hWcUjFKSFnZmW5kb4sFSJxXq4fOf63JFy2P7Q4PFDwYL!-1304931769!hiwpbmsp02.ihd.hd!7005!8005&nickname=null

It's recommended by Harley.

With a name like fun transport, what's not to love. It's on my list! Thanks for sharing.

 

[aboveH20]

Monday morning my son took his math final exam (in Troy, NY), Monday afternoon he left for California, and I got a text this morning that he arrived. If you're near Santa Barbara, look for a car with NY veteran's license plates.

Again, thanks to all who replied. I'll be doing some heavy duty research the next couple of days. You've given me some great leads.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You can request a bid from USHIP. I have used them before.