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chimivee Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Orange, CA
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 8:26 pm Post subject: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Looking for suggestions to get my van shipped/towed about 600 miles home from northern CA to southern CA.
Long story is that we are traveling and my 86 syncro is dead in Garberville, CA, stuck in 3rd. Linkage is okay, so it’s pointing toward trans 3-4 death. We’re considering towing to German Motorworks in Arcata, north of Eureka. They would get trans rebuilt at German Transaxle in Bend. There would be some added expense, travel and logistics along with this.
So considering alternative of getting the van shipped home to rebuild locally at Rancho Transaxle. If you know any good shippers (or have other ideas) I’d love to hear.
Thanks _________________ -James
86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15143 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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sorry for your problems and dilemma.
and I don't have any towing recommendations
but any thoughts to a uhaul and a tow bar/dolly/trailer
to flat tow you'd need to remove the drive shaft.. and CV drive axles _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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iliketowalk Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2011 Posts: 614 Location: Northern CA
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Here's what I would do:
I doubt very much you're going to find someone to move it (and you) cheaper than that. _________________ 1986 Weekender "Birch" |
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shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3794 Location: VA/TN
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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That's what I had in mind above. I wonder if would be cheaper to rent the truck from another rental place _________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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jberger Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003 Posts: 2476
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Also... please consider the guard transaxle drop in upgrades for your rebuild. You can piss a lot of coin at any number of “rebuilders” and end up with a time bomb. There are known issues that quite a few samba members have worked hard to correct. Knowledge is power.
J |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7915 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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shagginwagon83 wrote: |
I wonder if would be cheaper to rent the truck from another rental place |
Budget isn't cheaper and the nearest Penske is over 100 miles away. U-Haul is probably the best bet if you go the DIY route. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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ledogboy Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2005 Posts: 578 Location: Scappoose, OR / Oakland, CA
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Posted: Wed May 30, 2018 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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If DIY is $570, it may be worth a call to a shipper. I have used 4 Corners in the past to ship my van to NY and the price has varied in the $1k - 1,400 range. NY is a hell of a lot further than 600 miles, so....
http://www.fourcornerstransportservices.com _________________ 1986 Westy Weekender
Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
Some people call him Maurice... |
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Mulcheese Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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We broke down in Dickinson ND last summer. We decided on the U-Haul method, cost close to $800 in the end to get back to Mn. I could have had a shop in ND repair but then that would have cost us 2-3 days in a hotel, food, and stuck in ND with nothing to do with 2 kids and 2 dogs. It was worth it to get home that night. I was also able to diagnose the problem and not rush to conclusions, which many shops will do. I also was able to put the parts in that I wanted and do it myself so I know it is done the way I want it.
I did consider a hauling company but the estimate was close to $1000 as some had said. These companys also pick-up and drop-off at their convenience, is what I understand. I didnt like that.
U-Haul seems expensive but I feel that it was the best option for the situation.
Good luck
Pat _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1461 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Contact a shipping broker. I am not sure of what road you are on but if its a major throughway and a truck don't have a full load you might be able to get a really good deal last minute. |
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danfromsyr Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15143 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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I know it's also not what the OP asked for, but I'll slip this in here
towbar for under $100.. and a Uhaul pickup/van.
as mentioned, with trans stuck in 3rd, you'd need to remove the driveshaft and rear half shafts. might be too much work for the OP in a time of crisis..
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20 _________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9797 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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elizer wrote: |
Contact a shipping broker... |
I know people are wary of brokers (and should be) but I have used this outfit a couple of times and it went well:
http://acrossusaautotransport.com/
They are in Florida but appear to have specific services for California transport:
http://acrossusaautotransport.com/services/Auto-Transport-California
I always have their number with me when I travel and have discussed with them what we would do in an urgent situation (broken down in middle-of-nowhere). |
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ng Samba Member
Joined: October 01, 2011 Posts: 116 Location: Edmonton, AB
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0to60in6min Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006 Posts: 3416 Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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James is on vacation with his girlfriend and his dog and he's on his way to visit me in Cottage Grove,OR - he made 600 miles and broke down 300 miles from destination.
it's very unfortunate for him to break down so far away from me otherwise I'd lend him the gearbox of my 2nd Syncro which was rebuilt few months ago with about 100 miles on it.
now about the logistic for him to get home and together we already talk about it over the phone.
1. rent a truck with a trailer and tow it home (my recommendation)
2. get a car shipper at ship it home, rent a car.
3. tow it to the nearest shop, leave it there for repair, rent a car to get home, take a fly back later to get the van (the most expensive option)
update:
after I talk to him on the phone this morning: he will get AAA to tow it to Ukiah (80 miles South of him), get a truck with a trailer and tow it straight to Rancho Transaxle near his home. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16501 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9797 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:11 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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dobryan wrote: |
If he has the AAA 200 mile towing he can get it 200 miles, then have it dropped off and call in the remaining 100 mile tow. BTDT. |
Me too - but I think he is 600 miles from home (which is where he wants the van to be). |
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vanagonjr Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 3431 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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0to60in6min wrote: |
update:
after I talk to him on the phone this morning: he will get AAA to tow it to Ukiah (80 miles South of him), get a truck with a trailer and tow it straight to Rancho Transaxle near his home. |
Good plan - hopefully the U-Haul location will let a trailer go on a 1-way rental.
I have to return a U-Haul trailer after a 200 mile tow. These trailers are gold to certain places - they only have one or two of them.
Wasn't a real big deal, since we had our own tow vehicle and the trailer was $60 all day, but timing wise it was tight with pick-up, drop off, etc.
Perhaps with the truck too for 600 miles it will not be a problem. Hopefully so, for this is the best option IMHO.
Shipping it means someone likely has to meet the shipper, you need a location to hold the van until they show up, then there is meeting them again for drop-off. _________________ John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50334
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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If you have it shipped you also have to get yourself home at additional cost. You need to factor that into any price comparison.
I did a 300+/- mile one way U-haul rental for $300 last year. |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22639 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Rent out a $1500 trailer for one week for $300
And people think capitalism is dead. _________________ .ssS! |
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chimivee Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2009 Posts: 741 Location: Orange, CA
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Towed van to U-Haul in Ukiah. Tow driver helped me load it onto the trailer, which was a PITA. Tipped him well and we are rolling. Thanks so much all. _________________ -James
86 Syncro Westy, etc |
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7915 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Broke down: Shipping/Towing Company Recommendations? |
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Abscate wrote: |
Rent out a $1500 trailer for one week for $300
And people think capitalism is dead. |
Huh, I didn't realize U-Haul buys trailers for one-time usage.
chimivee wrote: |
Towed van to U-Haul in Ukiah. Tow driver helped me load it onto the trailer, which was a PITA. Tipped him well and we are rolling. Thanks so much all. |
Unfortunate that your road trip came to an early end, but good to hear you're safely headed back home. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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