Moving a car from IL to CA - How?

sba55

sba55

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sba55
I need to move my car from IL to CA without a) driving and b) spending a ton of money. Keep in mind that it's RWD, so any solution that doesn't get all the wheels off the ground is out of the question.

There's a few solutions, such as having it shipped (did that once with Fedex Passport), using a uhaul car dolly and a towing vehicle (which I don't have), or renting both the dolly and towing car from uhaul, penske, budget, etc. Those options are at least $1200 dollars. Fedex wants $1700. I can rent a Rav4 or similar for $200 or so, but that won't have a hitch.

There's got to be a way that I'm missing. Are there any sort of temporary hitches that I could use for the Rav4? Any other way to get it to CA without driving or spending $$$?
 
Assuming it can be driven and you just don't want to do the driving, sounds like you need a ferry pilot with a one-way airline ticket.

Find a student or someone who is willing to do it just for the experience and expenses. It should be a pretty scenic drive.
 
I believe if you remove the drive shaft (easy job) you can tow it that far with the trailer hitch type tow bar.

Joe
 
MikePapa said:
Assuming it can be driven and you just don't want to do the driving, sounds like you need a ferry pilot with a one-way airline ticket.

Find a student or someone who is willing to do it just for the experience and expenses. It should be a pretty scenic drive.
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Thanks for the idea. The depreciation on the car would be about $1500, though :-/
 
Areeda said:
No but you can rent them at u-haul for a reasonable cost, nothing like a trailer.

Joe
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Ok, I'll give the local u-haul place a call then. I just called the 1800 number and they told me that they don't rent hitches....maybe I wasn't asking the right question, though.
 
sba55 said:
Ok, I'll give the local u-haul place a call then. I just called the 1800 number and they told me that they don't rent hitches....maybe I wasn't asking the right question, though.
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It's been a while since I've done this (like the 70's). I see what google comes up with.

Joe
 
sba55 said:
I need to move my car from IL to CA without a) driving and b) spending a ton of money. Keep in mind that it's RWD, so any solution that doesn't get all the wheels off the ground is out of the question.

There's a few solutions, such as having it shipped (did that once with Fedex Passport), using a uhaul car dolly and a towing vehicle (which I don't have), or renting both the dolly and towing car from uhaul, penske, budget, etc. Those options are at least $1200 dollars. Fedex wants $1700. I can rent a Rav4 or similar for $200 or so, but that won't have a hitch.

There's got to be a way that I'm missing. Are there any sort of temporary hitches that I could use for the Rav4? Any other way to get it to CA without driving or spending $$$?
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First of all, most if not all rental vehicles preclude towing anything not supplied by the rental firm. Second with today's vehicles there's nothing available in the way of a "temporary hitch". Pretty much all non OEM hitches require drilling holes in the body and bolting them on or they must be welded on.

So what are the alternatives?

1) Hire someone to drive it.

2) Hire someone to tow it.

3) Hire someone to truck it or trailer it.

4) Drive it yourself.

#1 could be a friend who happens to need to get to CA from your area, a professional, or someone from a website where these opportunities are posted (I think there are several such websites). Ideally if it's not someone you know it would be nice to get someone with references and/or bonding.

#2 and #3 can be found on a few websites like uShip.com.

JOOC, what kind of vehicle "depreciates" at the rate of almost one dollar per mile on the odometer?
 
gismo said:
First of all, most if not all rental vehicles preclude towing anything not supplied by the rental firm.
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Yeah. Let's say I'm willing to ignore that...

gismo said:
Second with today's vehicles there's nothing available in the way of a "temporary hitch". Pretty much all non OEM hitches require drilling holes in the body and bolting them on or they must be welded on.
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Good to know, thanks! That explains why I haven't been able to find much.

gismo said:
So what are the alternatives?

1) Hire someone to drive it.

2) Hire someone to tow it.

3) Hire someone to truck it or trailer it.

4) Drive it yourself.

#1 could be a friend who happens to need to get to CA from your area, a professional, or someone from a website where these opportunities are posted (I think there are several such websites). Ideally if it's not someone you know it would be nice to get someone with references and/or bonding.

#2 and #3 can be found on a few websites like uShip.com.
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Thanks for the link! I'll definitely look into that!

gismo said:
JOOC, what kind of vehicle "depreciates" at the rate of almost one dollar per mile on the odometer?
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A almost brand new one that was expensive to begin with...it'll get better in a year or so I'm sure.

-Felix
 
Depending on the size of the car you might put it in a U-haul truck. A muffler shop with an out side drive-on lift can raise & lower the car to push it in & out of a big box truck.Then the miles go on the U-haul & the car is enclosed & safe. DaveR
 
sba55 said:
Thanks for the idea. The depreciation on the car would be about $1500, though :-/
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gismo said:
JOOC, what kind of vehicle "depreciates" at the rate of almost one dollar per mile on the odometer?
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sba55 said:
A almost brand new one that was expensive to begin with...it'll get better in a year or so I'm sure.
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I'm confused Felix. You're bound to put 1500 miles or whatever on the car in a short amount of time anyways. The only reason to worry about the depreciation is if you are planning on selling it. If you are going to sell it you might as well just sell it in Illinois.
 
Man, by the time you find a place to rent you a one-way car trailer (I'm betting $200-$300), then a one-way truck with a hitch (of sufficient GVWR - I'm betting $300-$600)), then you put gas in the truck ($500 easy) -- you may as well depreciate the thing and have some fun.

Less scrupulous types would just pull a "Ferris Bueller" and try to unhook the odometer and drive the thing. I don't think that works these days, but :dunno: :D

2 miles at $0.01/mi

- Mike
 
schmookeeg said:
Less scrupulous types would just pull a "Ferris Bueller" and try to unhook the odometer and drive the thing. I don't think that works these days, but :dunno: :D

2 miles at $0.01/mi

- Mike
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It's depends on the vehicle. With some it's as simple as pulling a fuse. Usually this kills the speedo also, but if you have a GPS that gives you ground speed, it's not a big deal. In some cars you have to kill the whole cluster and with some you even have to kill the ECU which makes it impractical if not impossible to drive. It's not only unscrupulous but illegal and it will probably void the warranty as well.
 
sba55 said:
I need to move my car from IL to CA without a) driving and b) spending a ton of money. Keep in mind that it's RWD, so any solution that doesn't get all the wheels off the ground is out of the question.

There's a few solutions, such as having it shipped (did that once with Fedex Passport), using a uhaul car dolly and a towing vehicle (which I don't have), or renting both the dolly and towing car from uhaul, penske, budget, etc. Those options are at least $1200 dollars. Fedex wants $1700. I can rent a Rav4 or similar for $200 or so, but that won't have a hitch.

There's got to be a way that I'm missing. Are there any sort of temporary hitches that I could use for the Rav4? Any other way to get it to CA without driving or spending $$$?
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Seems like the least expensive way is to drive it there yourself? Another option is having it put on a flatbed and driven to you. Find an independent guy who transports cars (there's plenty of them out there) and get a few quotes. Checking hemming's Motor news for a list or "goggle" vehicle transporters.
 
jesse said:
I'm confused Felix. You're bound to put 1500 miles or whatever on the car in a short amount of time anyways. The only reason to worry about the depreciation is if you are planning on selling it. If you are going to sell it you might as well just sell it in Illinois.
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You're using logic and common sense, Jesse. Stop it! ;)
 
Sell it and buy a new one. Take a long weekend and a one-way airline ticket and drive it yourself. Have a friend fly you out there and drive it back.
 
OK, joking aside, couple of questions, Felix.

1. Are you moving back to California? If you're moving there, you should be able to have your car moved at the same time, and in the same truck, as your household goods. I know, it sounds wacky, but they do it, and the incremental expense is not that bad.

2. Call a car-moving service- I can't give you a quotation myself, but I have priced similar moves (typically in enclosed trucks) when shopping cars in other parts of the country, and I'd expect a quote of around $600 or $700. Between Chicago and NorCal, I'd expect truckloads to make up pretty often.

3. Why are you moving back so soon?
 
my uncle has an enclosed semi trailer set up for moving cars. i think he usually takes 4 or 5 at a time though. i could get you some contact info.
 
Leave it unlocked overnight on the street in a bad neighborhood. Use insurance money to buy replacement at destination. :fingerwag:

See, wasn't that easy? :cheerswine:
 
Felix, we used Allied Van lines. They charge it just like moving any household item- in the trailer, fully enclosed. You pay for half a load.

Must be a nice car, 'cause o/w i'd just sell it.
 
Ditto Bruce's comments. The last corporate move I had included moving my household. A project went critical and I couldn't take the time to drive the family and car, so the moving company included the car in the household effects, loaded it up with the dishes and diapers...
 
I would go with Dr Bruce's last line.

My daughter moved to CA on 2001 and back in 2007. Selling and buying is much easier if that is an option for you.

I've flown with people who had the car saleman meet them at the airport to take them to the dealer to close on the car.:thumbsup:
 
Wow, I'm amazed at all the ideas here in just a few hours. Thanks guys, I really appreciate it!!
 
SCCutler said:
OK, joking aside, couple of questions, Felix.

1. Are you moving back to California? If you're moving there, you should be able to have your car moved at the same time, and in the same truck, as your household goods. I know, it sounds wacky, but they do it, and the incremental expense is not that bad.
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I was only going to be in Chicago for half a year at most anyways, so I didn't bring much.....

SCCutler said:
2. Call a car-moving service- I can't give you a quotation myself, but I have priced similar moves (typically in enclosed trucks) when shopping cars in other parts of the country, and I'd expect a quote of around $600 or $700. Between Chicago and NorCal, I'd expect truckloads to make up pretty often.
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That would seem reasonable to me, but all the enclosed truck shipping places want $1500+

SCCutler said:
3. Why are you moving back so soon?
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Got to get out before the winter hits!

ApacheBob said:
When do you need it? I could probably drive it.
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I wouldn't driving it myself, I just don't want the miles on the car. Thanks for the offer though!

bbchien said:
Felix, we used Allied Van lines. They charge it just like moving any household item- in the trailer, fully enclosed. You pay for half a load.

Must be a nice car, 'cause o/w i'd just sell it.
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Thanks Bruce, I'll take a look!

-Felix
 
RMCN172RG said:
I've flown with people who had the car saleman meet them at the airport to take them to the dealer to close on the car.:thumbsup:
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My great grandfather bought one of his Buicks that way, only he picked it up at the factory. Shipped his bags ahead, took the train and had a taxi drop him off at Buick. Walked in the front door and said, "I'm Floyd St. John. Where's my Buick?" It was sitting out front with his bags in the trunk and the engine warming up, waiting for him. You don't get service like that anymore. :D
 
sba55 said:
I'm a complete novice at this. The base RAV4 doesn't have that hitch, does it?
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A Rav4 will barely pull its own weight, much less tow a load through the mountains. Why does this vehicle need to be towed to CA in inop condition and why does it have to be "cheap"? There are various trucking companies that move cars and trailers on trailers. Wagoneers is a major car hauler. You can also call someone like Quality Drive Away in Goshen IN.
 
Henning said:
A Rav4 will barely pull its own weight, much less tow a load through the mountains. Why does this vehicle need to be towed to CA in inop condition and why does it have to be "cheap"? There are various trucking companies that move cars and trailers on trailers. Wagoneers is a major car hauler. You can also call someone like Quality Drive Away in Goshen IN.
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That's a good point. It doesn't have to be towed inop - I just prefer that it doesn't put on more miles. It doesn't have to be cheap, but I don't like wasting money. For example, u-haul wants $2100 for the trailer and truck. That's just silly....I'll check out those other places. Thanks for the recommendation!

Also thinking about just buying an old used truck....probably doable for $1500 with the dolly....
 
sba55 said:
A almost brand new one that was expensive to begin with...it'll get better in a year or so I'm sure.
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If it's nice, new and has less than 7500 miles on it, California is going to eat you alive on registering it. They're at least going to charge you sales tax again, regardless of whether you paid tax on it already.

Drive it and get the miles on.

--Carlos V.
 
Unbeliever said:
If it's nice, new and has less than 7500 miles on it, California is going to eat you alive on registering it. They're at least going to charge you sales tax again, regardless of whether you paid tax on it already.

Drive it and get the miles on.

--Carlos V.
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I bought it in CA and it's registered in CA. So at least that won't be a problem....
 
sba55 said:
Also thinking about just buying an old used truck....probably doable for $1500 with the dolly....
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It you're going to spend $1500 on a truck why don't you just drive it and accept the $1500 depreciation? Aren't cars meant to be driven?
 
sba55 said:
That's a good point. It doesn't have to be towed inop - I just prefer that it doesn't put on more miles. It doesn't have to be cheap, but I don't like wasting money. For example, u-haul wants $2100 for the trailer and truck. That's just silly....I'll check out those other places. Thanks for the recommendation!

Also thinking about just buying an old used truck....probably doable for $1500 with the dolly....
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If you're coming right back, rent the truck and trailer for the "Local" rate, climb under the truck, pull the speedo sender out of the tranny, remove the gear and reinstall the housing. This takes 5 minutes and a 7/16th wrench. You'll have to pop the lead cap off the bolt, but don't worry, no one ever checks it on return. About 120 miles from home, reinstall the gear. You can do the trip in 3-4 days of local rental for less than $300. Better to just stick it on a professional carriers truck though.
 
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