Inherited my grandpa's old car, how do I get it home?

Posted by Jinnapat397@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 51 comments

so my grandfather passed away recently and he left me his old f-150. it’s still back in my hometown and i really want to bring it home to have that piece of him with me, but it’s definitely not "road trip ready" for an 800 mile trek. i’m trying to find a reliable way to get it here without it costing a literal fortune. i finally got a car shipping quote that actually seemed fair and doesn't require a deposit upfront, which is a huge relief because i'm already drowning in estate paperwork and just can't deal with another complicated hassle right now.

has anyone here shipped an older vehicle before? it’s not exactly a "show car" but it has a ton of sentimental value so i’m pretty nervous about the whole thing. also, what’s the deal with tipping the driver?? i have absolutely no clue how the etiquette works for this. any advice would be huge, thanks guys.

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hot-rod-lincoln@reddit

I own a very small hauling company. You are most likely going to be dealing with a broker that is gonna take a cut of what you pay and then give the job to someone he lowest bidder. If you ask in r/autotransport you’ll be able to deal directly with carriers.

Jinnapat397@reddit (OP)

thanks!

regionalgamemanager@reddit

Local mechanic in the hometown can't get it to a level it could make an 800 mile trip? Probably cost as much as shipping it and it needs to be done anyways.

i actually dont know anyone there and trust someone from my local town better, but idk, will think of that, thanks for the idea

AC-burg@reddit

If it starts and runs doesn't puke all its oil out in 15 minutes or antifreeze or brake fluid that thing is good for 800 mike trip. Topping fluid off is half the fun of getting her home.

I limped my car 200 miles home when I got a hole in my upper radiator hoes. Took me 8 hours and had to get water every 20 mikes vut I made it. Transmission got so hot it wouldn't downshift for hills and all my valves rattled. This was also a Ford lol say what you want about them but that Taurus was a tank for me. Got him replaced the hoes and changed the oil. Trans lasted another 20K mikes before it gave up lol

dpdxguy@reddit

in my upper radiator hoes.

Is a radiator ho anything like a lot lizard? 😂

Damn it! Yes I knew that didn't look right lol

Krazybob613@reddit

I’m gonna tell ya that nuttin beats an upper radiator hoe!

But have you had a lower radiator hoe? I mean by definition they are low down nasty hoes. Cheap too

In my experience when dem lo Hoes Go - they go ALL THE WAY 🤣‼️

You are correct sir indeed they do!

Terrh@reddit

^^ This

All it probably needs to make that 800 mile trip is someone mechanically knowledgeable and willing to do the trek.

If it's currently a plated, driving vehicle... it'll probably do the 800 miles with just some minor checks and maybe fluid top ups.

iamnoone815@reddit

That would be a great road trip. You never remember the trip that went perfectly

True enough this guy trips. I have many stories as well

charger1970440@reddit

Drive it your grandpa would think it was cool of you to that because it won’t be easy

Marchhare57@reddit

Maybe you could rent a trailer and haul it yourself. depends on your vehicle and rental company.

WoodenNet8388@reddit

Grab a basic mechanic’s toolkit from the nearest hardware store and YouTube your way through the breakdowns on the way home

Old_Mans_tC@reddit

Watch a couple Vice Grip Garage videos, check your Visa balance and go for it.

Old_Cars@reddit

My suggestion is to rent a pickup truck and trailer and have someone take you there picking up the truck and trailer on the end with your grandfathers truck. Shipping companies for cars can be extremely sketchy

3Green1974@reddit

I’ve shipped old cars twice. Once from Florida and once from California. Both times I had no issues. I opted for an open car carrier instead of an inclosed one. I didn’t tip the driver either time.

ResponsibleBank1387@reddit

Take a friend and drive down and drive it home. A dolly behind yours or a flatbed trailer. Make it an adventure.

BC, I drove and towed RVs from Yuma to Canada. Every one was an adventure. Take your time. Have a sense of humor.

A F150 has a big bed. Stop at Walmart, buy a case of oil, couple gallons of coolant, some blue, brake fluid, wipers, and anything you might need someday.

EmperorGeek@reddit

If you have access to a vehicle that can handle it, rent a Car Trailer from U-Haul. You will want a full roll on trailer not a front wheel dolly.

TeamFoulmouth@reddit

List it on UShip...if thats still a thing. Only use a reputable shipper with a good history on the site. Ya might get lucky with someone looking to make fuel money on a empty back trip.

zx1480@reddit

Your Gramps have given you an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. Fix the basics there, buy a manual and a few tools and drive it home. No lessons worth learning come easy Take a friend and go do it

Fuzzy-Bird-3641@reddit

U-haul trailer

HojonPark4077@reddit

Watch like 3 episodes of vicegrip garage on YouTube. Then scrape together just enough money to pay for gas home and a shitty set of tools, a jump pack, a gas can, and just be a man and drive that truck home with a person you want to be lifelong friends with.

Take pictures before, during and after your trip. Ask for help along the way. Bring a tent and sleeping bag. Maybe some beers. Give the truck an oil change (google it) before you leave. When you’re old, you’ll remember this trip no matter how it goes.

Find a buddy and drive the truck home. It wants you to take it home.

InfoSecGuy21045@reddit

This is the way!

lunchbox651@reddit

Do you have a car with a tow ball? (In Australia, at least) you can rent car trailers for a few days and it's way cheaper than having it professionally transported.

No-Negotiation-3545@reddit

Uhaul has flat car carrier trailers

Talentless_Cooking@reddit

Spend 1 to 2k to have someone haul it to you, or have a local shop check it over and drive it home, I would go with option 2. I drove home a 40 year old hearse that didn't run for 2 years, showed up with a battery and 4 new tires. Had a buddy drive my car home while I drove the old work horse, you should drive it.

Beardo88@reddit

You are going to need to fix it eventually anyway. Fix it enough to be drivable and get it home under its own power.

Swimming_Offer_4240@reddit

I have had one shipped , sentimental, show quality... younger russian guy enclosed trailer, he made it and we tipped about $100.00

Pussy-Wideness-Xpert@reddit

Uship shops your route. Read the reviews before you decide.

u_siciliano@reddit

I used a transport company a few years ago for 1200 miles. I was not there for pick up. Delivered on time $500. Only stipulation is it can drive up the ramp. It was American Transport or something like that.

AttSvcs@reddit

U haul tow dolly. Its like $20 a day.

ebaysj@reddit

Watch the movie Smoke Signals.

cormack_gv@reddit

UHaul trailer will do it. If you don't have a tow vehicle, a UHaul truck will work. Is that the cheapest option? I dunno.

No-Cantaloupe-6535@reddit

fly in and get a uhaul and do it yourself. it'll be cheaper, and more importantly way more reliable than hiring some sketchy ass hauler company.

LOGGATO@reddit

I have had one shipped away from me. He was a disgruntled Russian guy with a really trashed out double car trailer (enclosed). but I wasn't the one buying the car so I didn't worry. the car ended up at its destination fine. expect a driver that does not speak English natively (nobody really cares but he was tough to understand).

If it were mine, I'd fly down, rent a Uhaul and a trailer.

jrileyy229@reddit

This is accurate... It's a really dodgy business out there. You don't ever talk to the guy making the haul, you always end up with a broker who farms your haul out to the lowest bidder...who may or may not show up. If they get a better offer or something more on their route, they're dumping you and there's nothing you can do about it. But in my experience, once they've actually picked it up, you'll get your car so they get paid.

Unless you want to pay 4x for one of the premium carriers.

Gandk07@reddit

Call one of the RV transport companies in northern Indiana. They are always looking for backhauls. Not sure where you are located or heading to but good chance they can work something out. Formost, Indiana transport are a couple of the companies I can think of off the top of my head. But the driver will speak English.

averagemaleuser86@reddit

What state is the truck in and what state are you in?

Malarky3113@reddit

How old is it? Why isn't it road worthy? Do you have a vehicle or one you can borrow that you could tow with?

I've shipped 6 vehicles over the past 10 years. They have all arrived fine, but it's never the cheapest way to move a vehicle.

0peRightBehindYa@reddit

There are lots of vehicle shippers out there. Call around and get quotes, but it's reasonable to presume it'll be around $1,000-$1,500.

lbdrift@reddit

Right and expect to be spammed by each of them for the next 17 years

Special-Original-215@reddit

I think that's the literal fortune OP is talking about

ThirdSunRising@reddit

Bring a mechanically competent friend. A pro mechanic is best but anybody who is capable of limping a hoopty around as daily transportation is qualified. Drive it. It’s an F150, there’s no reason it’ll suddenly break down or anything

Lockhimuptoday@reddit

Don’t worry so much, you always end up dealing with a broker, they all go for the lowest bid no matter what they charge you. Tip the driver $50

yeeting_my_meat69@reddit

Do you plan to drive it daily or semi-daily? If the plan is to spend the money to make it usable as a daily driver, getting it fixed locally and then driving it makes the most sense imo. The only reason to ship it in current condition is if you want to work on it yourself and don’t have the time to fix it before driving long distance. As long as it runs/drives and overheating isn’t an issue, you just need to make sure it has good tires and brakes and change the oil for good measure.

reidft@reddit

Uhaul it, for that distance it'll be about $1000 and a day of driving. Then you know the truck will be taken care off and won't be abused by some hot shot driver who's brokered running 3 different tags that they switch out. And why tip them, they're getting paid a service.

that1tallguy92@reddit

Be careful with auto shipping companies. A lot of them are scams and are really just dispatching companies. You pay them, and then have to pay the driver again. I know you said no deposit required, but that also seems a little sketchy. Just make sure they are legit.

Finding someone local is always my preferred method when shipping a car.