Car Transport

[LS1 5.7]

Hey Guys i have used the search button but havent come up with much information on this. I need to get my ute taken on a truck to Mt Isa and was wondering of other peoples experiences. What to do? Any horror stories? What company to use etc etc,
Any help be greatly appreciated
Cheers

[TUNDV8]

Hi I have had alot of mates get cars moved as Im in the army and we get posted every 4 or so years... If your moving along way expect to have ur car covered in dust. Took my mate 2 hours to clean his. Cant really give u any names as the army organises it for us plus gives us free insurance. :D Just make sure u take out insurance and completely inspect the car before signing it back over to you at the destination.

Becuase if u notice a scratch afterwards you will have no leg to stand on. This is becuase the truckies usually only go to certain locations then transfer it (ur car) over to another truck. If they aren't careful especially on lowered cars things can get damaged.

Hope this helps

[XLR8 V8]

Had my old car transported for my move from Canberra to Brisbane. The company doing the transport were told to be careful when putting it on the truck as it sat VERY low.
I got on my flight to Brisbane and my car was picked up from my old workplace ... sure enough the company didn't pass on the "be careful" instruction to the driver, who promptly HEAVILY bottomed out the rear of the car onto the ground as he went up the ramp - witnessed by 5 people and the security cameras at my old workplace.
I arrived in Brisbane and was given my company car straight away, and I was living in a hotel for 4 weeks so no address to deliver it to. So when the transport company arrived, they dropped of my car at my new workplace and left (I was travelling away from Brisbane). When I got back and tried to start the car it wouldn't go .... no petrol?!? (Had 1/4 tank when put on the truck). We grabbed a jerry of fuel and started putting it in the talk, only to find we were getting wet feet. Looked under the car to find a MASSIVE crack in the fuel tank where the bottomed it out and a dodgy attempt with some form of putty to hide the problem. Many arguments with the transport company ensued over the next 3 weeks until solicitors became involved and my witnesses had signed statements ... then the company coughed up the repair bill.


There are risks with putting your car on both levels of the truck. Top level and you risk you car getting belted by birds bodies, bird shit, dusk, stones. Bottom Level you risk the car above yours leaking fluids inlcuding batteru acid onto your paint. Best to request your car get put on the bottom level but place a car cover over it once it's on.

[Garbs]

I'm pretty sure that the army only uses Toll to move vehicles. At least, all work mates have so far had Toll take their vehicles. I think only removal of items is put out on a tender basis. Either way, of people that I know who've had their cars transported by Toll, no complaints of damage but a few have complained about delivery dates. Don't know if that's because of a Toll stuff-up or not.

[TUNDV8]

I'm pretty sure that the army only uses Toll to move vehicles. At least, all work mates have so far had Toll take their vehicles. I think only removal of items is put out on a tender basis. Either way, of people that I know who've had their cars transported by Toll, no complaints of damage but a few have complained about delivery dates. Don't know if that's because of a Toll stuff-up or not.

Yeh your right. Toll transitions is the company the army uses to move soldiers from place to place. However they r only the organising firm. They then hire/contract out removalists to do the uplift. I should have been more clearer, they do however do their own uplift of ur vehicle.

Hope thats clears things up.

[Senator 215]

I made quite a few enquiries about trucking my VC HDT Brock down to the HSV Nationals next April. The first question they asked was is it lowered and does it have a front spoiler? When I told them that it was slightly lower than standard but it does have a spoiler they laughed at me and said they would not take any responsibility for damage. They also quoted me 2-5 days to get the car to their depot, meaning it was impossible to co-ordinate the whole process. I am just going to fly down for the day but the whole transport thing sounds pretty shitty to me.

Good Luck.......

Bob.

[Nawdy]

I've known of quite a few people who have had their vehicles transported over the years (I have as well) with varying degrees of success. There are a few things you can do to help minimise the risk for potential damage ect, such as:

Fit headlight protectors or tape them up completely;
Fit bonnet protector;
Close and cover the inside vents to reduce the risk of dust ect entering the cabin. If dust/residue still gets into the cabin, they have been transporting your pride and joy with the window down;
Cover and tape up wing mirrors with strong plastic;
Cover and tape up windscreen wipers with strong plastic;
Ensure aerial is locked down or removed if non-retractable;
Empty and lock glovebox;
Purchase a key-lockable fuel cap, fit it and keep the key yourself. Some of these guys are experts at draining fuel tanks; and
Record the KM reading on the odometer!!!

Last, but not least, make the person who is picking up the vehicle sign a pre-written statement giving an accurate assessment of the vehicle state (watch them do a double-take, and try and skid their way out of that one!!!) before they rush off with your pride and joy. The reason for this one is obvious.

Also, another hint, but for getting a motorcycle moved - have it packed by your local motorcycle dealer into a crate used for transporting new bikes; doing this cost me a slab, ensured no-one else could ride it and it turned up in perfect condition delivered to my new local Yamaha dealer (I had a TRX850 at the time) who charged me $50 to unpack again.

I know it sounds like a lot of stuffing around but, if you are like me, you have probably worked your arse off to have a decent vehicle so why not spend the extra time to minimise the damage risk?

One hint for ADF members - if you have more than two vehicles to move (particulary if it's unregistered) and DHA won't play the game, tell them the extra vehicle is a "hobby" vehicle, and they will move it for you :D .

All this comes from others doing removals, as well as myself with family doing 14 removals in 10 years (5 were interstate). I did more prior to this, but I wasn't married then, so I didn't bother counting... :)

And i may be doing it again soon as well :eek:

[scatman]

I know both Patricks and TNT car carrying use specially modified shipping containers to transport cars here up to darwin on the train from adelaide. Totally enclosed and no ramps to drive up or down. Being lowered shouldnt prove a problem with this style of transport.

[Nawdy]

I know both Patricks and TNT car carrying use specially modified shipping containers to transport cars here up to darwin on the train from adelaide. Totally enclosed and no ramps to drive up or down. Being lowered shouldnt prove a problem with this style of transport.

Your vehicle is still picked up by a tilt tray truck, taken to the company's depot, probably put onto another truck to the railway station... you get the idea.

Are the vehicles tied down in these containers? Unless they can be opened from either end, it would be nearly impossible to do this because of the lack of room, whether it's a 20ft or 40ft container. Just to open a door would be a challenge. And container handling would be suspect at best.

I apologise if this post seems like I'm flaming, but I felt a little bit of perspective was needed.... :cool: