I'm considering have a roller race car transported for California to Alabama.
Are there any companies you like or dislike? Any tips for handling a arriving car and the delivery driver saying that there is a balance due before he will unload it, but when it was already paid for. What percentage should you pay in advance of delivery?
Bob Sprowl
The transport business is a game of sorts, and you really should know the rules before playing.
There are a few different versions of transport, and they do differ in how they operate.
The most common is a broker being the entity between the person needing transport, and the person doing the actual transporting.
Within this area there are a few different methods, but mostly they work around the bid/accepted bid model.
How this works is the broker (the people you called to contract the transport) accepts the transport and they present it as a bid to the literal transporters.
Only after a transporter accepts the bid will the actual transportation process begin.
Because of this I strongly suggest you steer clear of anyone talking in terms of very low cost to do the transporting because that ultra low bid will remain stagnant on the "bid board" as no transportation company will take the bid.
This all depends on routes, frequency, and ultimate end destination, and it may also include multiple transporters handing off the vehicle as it makes its way to the end destination.
Get a firm contract and pay in advance with a credit card and demand a receipt for services and agreements so you have some form of legitimate proof this has been paid for and it is what you will receive.
The next level of auto transport comes from special vehicle transports....which is what you will likely have to use because this is a "roller"
Being a roller requires the transporter to take more time and effort to load and unload the vehicle...and time = money in this business.
This level of transport is filled with all kinds of competent, and incompetent, transporters as well as open and enclosed transport...as well as single vehicle and multi-vehicle three (usually three) Here you may also encounter a driver who does not speak English.
This level of transport also contains a wide variety of transportation companies ranging from those who are in constant motion transporting vehicles all the time, to those who only take certain jobs, along certain routes, moving relatively specific vehicles, so you may find a guy with an enclosed trailer and a winch who deals primarily with good condition rollers on a one at a time basis.
Finally are the professional specialty car transporters.
They almost always do an exceptional job and they also understand the market and take special precautions and care as they undertake their chosen transport.
This type is expensive, but you almost never have an issue, and if you do they almost always take care of you in the end.
Regardless of who you choose to use be certain they are willing to document and verify what is expected and give receipts of the transaction....While I will not say "Don't do it" I de recommend strongly against agreeing to any open ended ticket that does not have a fixed price agreement prior to any vehicle movement.
Finally, do some math and other calculations to determine what the cost of transport by yourself you be.
The trip from CA to AL can range from about 1,800 miles up to about 3,000 miles, depending on exact locations.
But that route does have a nice line between CA and FL, which are two major cartage pathways and a LOT of freight is being moved in that general area so there should be relatively good coverage.
Figure out the fuel, food, lodging, and useage costs to come up with a "break even" expense if you transported the roller yourself.
Then factor in the time and expenses associated with that too.
Very often you will find the transport is a relative cost savings to have a company do the work.
You call, place the order, pay the fee, wait until delivery, watch them unload, push the roller into your garage...done.
Lots of value there for relatively little investment.
Like I said, the roller will be your biggest hurtle here because you will have to deal with a transporter who is familiar and equipped with move dead vehicles.
Unfortunately this realm is filled with damaged car haulers transporting parts wrecks between repair facilities and salvage yards....Think 2021 crashed Mazda CX-5's on a transporter and you understand this part of the business.
They drag cars on and off the transporter and don't give too much care about any additional damage.
They may....may give you roller special treatment, but they may also treat it like any other wreck.
Be sure to discuss the details, assume nothing, and make it clear your expectations and scope of the work involved.
I have transported many vehicles over the years.
I have had good results from smaller transport companies doing more personal work who specialize in moving specialty cars.....They just understand the game better.
Good luck, it does work out well in most instances, but be prepared for that unfortunate sheit storm just in case.
