easiest/cheapest way to transport a vehicle? - General - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• easiest/cheapest way to transport a vehicle? by lord_verminaard on 30 May, 2004 12:40
• Hi all, it's good to be back online after my recent move to the land of corn, and ... uh.... corn.    When I got here, I knew I had a garage, but it turned out to be about twice the size that I had imagined.  Plenty of room for my Camaro, and for my Scirocco, which I had to leave in Maryland during the move.   So now that I have a place for it, how in the world do I go about getting it here?  It runs, and actually would probably make the drive from Maryland to Ohio, but it would need four new tires, brakes, and there is that problem with it not being titled in my name yet, and no registration.   I know shipping a vehicle can cost a lot, plus I have heard horror stories of what shipping companies can do to a car.  I've never done this type of thing before, anyone have some suggestions?  Thanks for the help, I've been itching to wrench on my Scirocco in MY OWN GARAGE ever since I got here, which was just five days ago!!  TIA-
  
  Brendan
  84 Scirocco 8v
  00 Camaro L36
• #1 by Dr. Diesel on 30 May, 2004 15:51
• If it were me, i'd spend a couple days sprucing her up, if neccessary, with robbed parts from another car, and drive her home with a friend in a support vehicle tagging along. (incl. tow strap!) Around here, a 10 day permit is easy and cheap, and my insurance company will insure me in anything for repositioning purposes. Just ask 'em.
• #2 by Mikeyworks on 31 May, 2004 05:29
• Brendan,
  
  I know Maryland will issue a 15 day tag (only once) if you choose to follow Dr. Diesel's advice.  They don't require an inspection in order to get the tag, in fact, that's the reason for the tag (so you can drive to the inspection station, etc.)
  
  There is another option. It will cost a little more, and may put some strain on you, but if your Camaro has a tow hitch, get two good tires on the back and tow it on a U-Haul tow dolly. Don't go for the full auto transporter, it's too heavy. If you don't have a hitch, find a friend with full size truck and do the same thing...someone has to owe you a favor, right?
  
  We need some pics of your new place. It's been 20 years since I lived in Ohio, granted it probably hasn't changed...but let's see that garage!!!!!
  
  
  Mikey
• #3 by BlackTieTD on 31 May, 2004 09:01
• if it were me in your shoes...
  
  best option: if its within 200km, get CAA (or AAA) to tow it for free
  
  next option: u-haul dolley is $40 canadian here, $10 for insurance
  
  if its do-able: ...like you said, just drive it!
  
  
  good score... i can't wait until i have my own garage.
• #4 by lord_verminaard on 01 Jun, 2004 06:47
• Thanks all- I know about ten friends out here that all own trucks, so I'm sure one of them will let me borrow it for 700 miles or so- (it's about 360 miles one way)  and rent the tow dolly.  Not really the easiest way, but certianly the cheapest.  
  
  This apartment is a good score- even though we are renting, it's one of only three apartments in the whole complex and it's built in the middle of a nice wooded area on the outskirts of Mt. Vernon.  We were paying $735 a month for our apartment in Baltimore, and it was a dump, no garage, no washer/dryer, no storage, and it was on the top floor with very loud, very annoying neighbors below us.  Now, we have privacy, quiet, ground floor, (there is no top floor, just down the back to the basement/garage) big garage, washer/dryer for $435 a month.  Cant beat it.    Of course, I dont have a job yet, but there are a few prospects.  I'll try and swipe my mom's digital camera and snap a few pics this week.
  
  Thanks for the opinions- and I'll let you all know when the Rocco is coming back.  Even though it's parked in a gated lot, I am still worried about something happening to it while it's not under my supervision!    Thanks again-
  
  Brendan
  84 Scirocco 8v <-- In Maryland
  00 Camaro L36  <-- In a nice garage in Ohio.
• #5 by Devo! on 15 Aug, 2004 19:31
• Hey, If you haven't brought it back yet i have a suggestion. Do what some of my buddies around here do. One of them has a dad that owns a trucking company so that makes it a little better. But all you have to do is go to a local 18-wheeler company and see if the have a load going that way that might be comming back empty or half full. Providing it's a slim driver and theres a drive on ramp near by the companies are usually pretty good with things like that. Theres people around here (in Nova Scotia, Canada) that have motorcycles and various cars brought in from the U.S. Like that all the time.