Best way to ship an engine?

[doc_rot]

I have a buyer across the country, but the cost of freight is souring the deal. quote was for $500 - 24" x 24" x 36" pallet 150 lbs. Is freight the best way to ship? if i can get shipping cost down i think he will pull the trigger. any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Hurco550]

Lots of guys use Fastenal if its crated and fastened to a pallet. I've also heard of people using greyhound.

 

[pidjones]

Yes, I think Fastenal or maybe even a bike transporter. There are also sites that let shippers bid for loads. Yours would be a LTTL that might be attractive to someone with a smaller vehicle hauling other things, but probably best if banded well to a pallet to ease and speed handling.

 

[irk miller]

Check out someone like Roadrunner. Crate it and screw it to a pallet. Ship as Class 85. You should be able to get it shipped under $300. Fastenal can be more than freight, in my experience. I've had entire front valances and grills for cars, like a 1971 Roadrunner, shipped via Greyhound, but engines have a weight issue for that type of service.

 

[Rider52]

I shipped a Yamaha XS650 motor in a plastic trash can. I wrapped the motor in heavy trash bags put it in the trash can and filled the can with spray foam. The buyer wanted it done this way. Took it to Fastenal and it was $50 to send it from Atlanta to Salt Lake City.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

U-ship or Greyhound. I've sent an engine by Greyhound in a plastic tub (with packing).

 

[doc_rot]

Wow Greyhound is super cheap, but max weight is 100lbs, I will have to see if its less than that.

 

[doc_rot]

160lbs for entire engine. grey hound is out. crap.

 

[CarbsAndCylinders]

A friend of mine shipped his guitar by Greyhound and while he did have insurance for loss, Greyhound would not insure it for damage. His guitar got squished and he was not compensated. The point is moot though since the max weight is 100lbs.

 

[Tim]

160lbs for entire engine. grey hound is out. crap.

Engine in one piece? Maybe it could be broken down into two shipments.

 

[doc_rot]

I thought about that, but then that makes it way less apealing to sell. its ready to run just needs to be dropped in.

 

[Tim]

Helium balloons in the shipping box?

 

[SONICJK]

Unishippers.com should be able to get you a decent freight rate.
Roadrunner or R&L are usually the cheapest.
Also check YRC.com and use the dimensional freight tool their prices are good for smaller stuff usually

 

[Maritime]

^^ what Justin said. if you find the right LTL carrier it should be reasonable but make sure you crate it well or it will not be in 1 piece when it lands and $2 a lb is your basic insurance. if you pay for better insurance it makes the shipping cost way higher. I work for the largest LTL Carrier in Canada and We partner 100% with R&L for all US bound LTL freight.

 

[carnivorous chicken]

160lbs for entire engine. grey hound is out. crap.

I'm pretty sure I have shipped stuff over 100 pounds on Greyhound. Might be a new policy -- or might be that you need to take it to a place that can handle it instead of just regular station. The one in Phoenix that I used to take stuff to was a big shipping center as well.

 

[Rider52]

I've received bare frames via Greyhound but never shipped anything with them. My last two large shipments were with contracted carriers. A 54 Chevy truck from New Mexico to Georgia-$1500. A couple of motorcycles from Texas to Georgia $500 each.