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Car transmissions: How to ship and what to look for

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   Car transmissions: How to ship and what to look for

Need to ship a transmission? You can do it, but it isn’t exactly as easy as shipping a box of books. Because transmissions contain hazardous materials you will need to take a few extra steps to ship safely.

LTL or less than truckload

This is likely how your engine will be transported. Unlike FTL or full truck load, LTL is for freight items that are individually 150 pounds or less. Multiple shippers using pallets or crates will use the same carrier to get goods from point A to point B. LTL generally takes longer to arrive at the final destination since it is a shared load with multiple stops. Prices vary based on distance (how close you are to shipping terminals) and whether you pallet or crate for shipping, but the average is around $300. You may also opt for a service that will do the crating for you at an average cost of about $100.

 

Prepare your transmission

Protect your engine from transport damage by packing it securely. Crate shipping provides the most protection. To prepare:

  • Drain fluids from the transmission (to reduce risk of hazard).
  • Secure the transmission inside.
  • Add protection such as cardboard or blankets around the transmission.
  • Secure the crate with nuts and bolts.

 

To transport using a pallet you’ll need at least a half pallet, ratchet straps (or ropes), stretch wrap, and 2x4’s or bands.

  • Drain as much of the transmission fluids as you can.
  • Remove any delicate parts so they are not damaged during shipping.
  • Pack removed parts securely.
  • Place the transmission in the middle of the pallet for better balance.
  • Secure with 2 x 4’s and bolts or bands
  • Protect on all sides with cardboard or a shipping blanket.
  • Wrap the entire package with stretch wrap (at least 80 gauge).
  • Measure and weigh the entire package.

 

Choose a carrier

You can get online quotes using zip code (pick-up and delivery), weight and measurements of the packaged transmission. Get several for comparison. Understand exactly what the quote includes. For example, is residential delivery available/more expensive, is off/on loading included? If it is not included, you will need to purchase lift gate service or have a few extra hands available to help. Get a bill of lading (receipt outlining contents on pickup) and check for damages on delivery.

 

Shipping a transmission is common. You should not have any trouble finding a reputable vendor. Your biggest concern will be preventing damage. Pack and secure carefully and drain fluids for a hassle-free experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Car Moving Questions

The hardest thing for people researching car moving companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast gaurantees, but rather ESTIMATES of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved promptly versus another company's opinion of what it will take. Don't be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work getting a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quote you.

Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker's fee (or 'deposit' as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount) Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE YOU ARE GETTING SALES CALLS FROM IS GOING TO BROKER YOUR MOVE. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 90% of the orders they book. Here is a quick easy way to tell, if a company takes an up front fee, whether they call it a deposit or any other name, they are a broker. Carriers do not take any payment until the vehicle is delivered.

In our opinion, you are crazy to do so. Have you ever been paid up front for the work that you perform for your employer? Why would you pay a fee up front when there are reliable and trustworthy companies like ours that won't ask for it until we provide you with your carriers details?

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between one and two weeks. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

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