Bronco Transport / shipping

[ksagis]

Getting my ducks in a row for a possible move to Austin from California. Tons of different posts on forum and trying to collect a lot of the info into one area for myself and others downstream from me. (Ias often as this comes up, almost seems like it's worth it's own topic area)

I would be shipping a Bronco for sure, and maybe a 2004 Subaru of not much value, but might be nice to ship both together.

From reading the various posting on CB, I think the top level summary from cheapest to most expensive is as below.

• Uship
  • Can be a decent approach, early quotes usually higher, waiting on quotes to filter in can reduce price. Some bad experiences reported on CB. Since a posting board, no guarantees on trucks, drivers, etc. One needs to do homework. Likely will get spammed with a lot of messages.
• Montway Auto Transport
  • Seems a bit more upscale.
  • Not clear to me if the drivers/trucks are directly connected to company or outsourced, anybody know for sure?
  • The quote I got for enclosed trailer Bronco move was $2200
• Reliable Carriers
  • Seems highest end
  • I think the drivers/trucks are directly connected to the company, anybody know for sure?
  • The quote I got for enclosed trailer for Bronco move was $2800.

Others I saw mentioned in various threads:

• US Star Trucking - I see some bad reviews
• Intercity Lines - looks like family run which I tend to like
• Natalie, Hotshot Adventures, hotshotnatalie411@gmail.com, 512.702.0473 (from @CowboyGrin and @ared77) in this thread
• Janelle at AJN Transport (989) 277-0344 from same thread

A lot of the recommendations in older threads are out of business.

Any other places that are recommended and still in business? There's a reddit thread that has some data but almost too much data.

 

[joebronco73]

Having recently done this (and actually getting it delivered to the Austin area), I can say I would absolutely do it again, using U-Ship. Sure, it's a little frustrating with the constant bids, and unofficial bids via "questions" section, but I got my Bronco safely delivered in a couple day's time (driver had a turbo failure on his truck) and for ~1/2 as much as the bigger brands.

Questions worth consideration:

• What part of California are you shipping from? Dictates drive time of truck...
• How well-built/"theftable" is your Bronco?
  • Does it require an enclosed trailer?
  • Are you shipping anything inside of it?
• When do you need it shipped?
  • I have first-handedly experienced Montway cancel pickup the day before, only to recommend someone that was "slightly" more expensive, due to expedited contracting

*edit: I shipped from Yuma, AZ, but am from San Diego. Cost between the two cities was negligible (within a couple hundred).

 

[ksagis]

Having recently done this (and actually getting it delivered to the Austin area), I can say I would absolutely do it again, using U-Ship. Sure, it's a little frustrating with the constant bids, and unofficial bids via "questions" section, but I got my Bronco safely delivered in a couple day's time (driver had a turbo failure on his truck) and for ~1/2 as much as the bigger brands.

Questions worth consideration:

• What part of California are you shipping from? Dictates drive time of truck...
• How well-built/"theftable" is your Bronco?
  • Does it require an enclosed trailer?
  • Are you shipping anything inside of it?
• When do you need it shipped?
  • I have first-handedly experienced Montway cancel pickup the day before, only to recommend someone that was "slightly" more expensive, due to expedited contracting

*edit: I shipped from Yuma, AZ, but am from San Diego. Cost between the two cities was negligible (within a couple hundred).

Appreciate the great feedback!

Origin point would be Bay Area so maybe another 500 miles.

Did you ship enclosed or open trailer and would you mind sharing what you paid for the Uship experience?

Also, was the Montway cancellation for this move or another shipment?

Edit: sounds like from your description of your Montway experience that they must not have their own drivers and trucks….

 

[joebronco73]

Appreciate the great feedback!

Origin point would be Bay Area so maybe another 500 miles.

Did you ship enclosed or open trailer and would you mind sharing what you paid for the Uship experience?

Also, was the Montway cancellation for this move or another shipment?

I went open trailer, since my Bronco needs some work and I was willing to take the risk for the cost reduction. I went through U-Ship and probably relisted 3 times before getting bids down sub-$1k. I think the total ended up around $945. The delivery would have been in 1 day, but the driver lost a turbo in NM and had to find a suitable rental, while he had his truck towed to a local diesel tech.

As if this wasn't cruel enough for the guy already, the Bronco was picked up on Dec 23rd and to be delivered the 24th, so the driver could make it home to his family in San Antonio for Christmas. Because of the engine issues didn't end up getting it delivered until the 27th, so he missed Christmas with his kid(s). He stayed in constant contact with me, giving me multiple times a day. I felt for the guy, but he delivered the Bronco the same way it was loaded (I don't think it was moved after he strapped it down).

I did the same, going through U-Ship, when I moved from Boston to Austin. We shipped our little SUV on an open trailer and the tag-team delivery guys had it to us in 2.5 days. I think that one cost us ~$1100.