Car- ship or drive?

Car- ship or drive? (Full Version)

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LuckyAlbatross -> Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 8:54:19 AM)
So we're at about 2 weeks until the Big Move Day. We've got two cars to get from Baltimore to Texas. We've done a lot of research on car shipping companies and we have a few options to take, but I figured I'd get perspectives, if nothing else just for fun. Option 1- ship a car, and both of drive the other car. Expensive to ship, but we're together on a nice road trip and car gets there safely Option 2- each of us drives our own car. Less expensive, but we're separated for the whole trip. Also, while my car will likely be fine for the journey (I never miss oil changes and other basic maintenence), I'd want to get some good overhaul maintenence on it just to be sure, which cuts down on cost savings. Option 3- somehow figure out someone ELSE to drive my car out. Complicated due to arrangments and still have car travel issues, but we're together. Option 4- ?

lisa1978 -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 9:01:34 AM)
My thoughts... Depends on the type of cars for alternative options. If one is a decent size truck or SUV and the other is a normal car, you could rent a trailer to tow the smaller car. If one of the cars is older and paid off, maybe sell it and buy another one once in Texas. If those are stupid and of no help, I personally would lean toward both of you driving seperately. Maybe not the most fun, but in the grand scheme of things... Good luck and low stress on the move. :)

OedipusRexIt -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 9:04:20 AM)
Personal preference matters a lot in these questions. That being said, my vote would be to drive them both. No fun driving alone, though, so I had a thought. Voice-activated, hands-free walkie talkies have gotten really cheap (under $100). You could convoy and be able to talk as if you were both in the same car. Cheaper by far than leaving a cell phone on the whole way, and can be fun (have used them on motorcycle rides).

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 9:04:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lisa1978 If one is a decent size truck or SUV and the other is a normal car, you could rent a trailer to tow the smaller car. If one of the cars is older and paid off, maybe sell it and buy another one once in Texas. Both generic compact cars. His is paid off, mine's a year away. Neither of us would want to go through the hassle of selling/buying at this point (and we're attached to our cars) quote: If those are stupid and of no help, I personally would lean toward both of you driving seperately. Maybe not the most fun, but in the grand scheme of things... Good luck and low stress on the move. :) Thanks, appreciate the help and perspective. Also doesn't help that LAST summer when I moved my other partner out there, we got stranded in Tennessee when his transmission died. I don't want to repeat that.

pahunkboy -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 9:15:40 AM)
I wish I could help you out. Im in central PA.

NakedOnMyChain -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 9:16:59 AM)
Option 4 - Rent a large moving van that has towing capacity. It's especially a good option if you need more room for your stuff. Keep in mind, if you all choose to drive seperately, you could use walkie talkies to talk together in traffic. Also, you could meet up on lunch and restroom breaks. Edited to add: Good luck with the move! We're about to move in three weeks, but it's just across town. I couldn't fathom having to move that far!

BitaTruble -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 11:52:18 AM)
We done both shipping and driving when relocating to other states. Himself had his car shipped from Florida to Utah, but when we left Utah, we drove to MN. One thing to keep in mind about shipping, besides the expense, is the car can still get damaged, then you have to hassle with the company to get it repaired. When Himself had his T-bird shipped, the company damaged it to the tune of $4000 bux. They, eventually, paid for the damage, but it took close to a year. We didn't have any issues on the drive from Utah to MN, we got to be together, have a great road trip, stop when and where we wanted, so for us it was a lot of fun. If you have AAA, it helps lessen the worry about break downs along the way. It's not that expensive for the year and you've always got someone available to change a tire, give you a jump or tow and things of that nature. Good luck with the move! Celeste

ShiftedJewel -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/20/2006 12:41:00 PM)
Have you considered renting a regular pickup and a trailer big enough to haul both cars? The cost might be between shipping and driving but the plus side would be that you could ride out together and not have to take a chance of either of your cars breaking down. *Just a thought... And LA... if you guys would like to, we'll offer a place to crash on the trip... we're just off of I-70 on the Ohio border.* *Jewel*

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/21/2006 6:15:30 AM)
Thanks for the perspectives all. We're still researching and deciding.

slavejali -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/21/2006 6:43:52 AM)
Both drive your own cars, fit a cb radio in each one and talk dirty to each other all the way there.

caitlyn -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/21/2006 10:38:34 AM)
I would drive both cars. The maintenance isn't lost money. It's a good idea to get that done yearly anyway, especially in a place like south Texas (anything south of Dallas), where you really don't want to be stranded at all ... what with that "young white girls being sold in Mexico" thing we have going on down here.[;)]

sub4hire -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:30:05 AM)
Moving is hard work. We just went through a solid week of movers hell. With the heat and frustration it is a good idea to have two seperate places to be alone. If only for a short time. If you are unsure your car will make the trip, perhaps you need to put that money into the car anyway just so it is a reliable car for you down the road. We only moved a 35 mile sdistance on this trip. Next year we make the 1600 mile trip. Though, we ended up going with renting a POD. It will cost much less than a mover in the long run. Having more than 2 cars they are already slotted to go on a train. Now, to the question of the hour...why move to Texas?

Aileen68 -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:36:58 AM)
You have to factor in the price of gas though...could be easier to ship one.

Evanesce -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:36:58 AM)
I've only made one cross-country move. My oldest and I, along with two birds, flew from Tucson to Indy. My ex drove my truck, with his sister, my son, the cat and a pot-bellied pig. His Jeep was shipped on the same truck as our furniture, and the additional cost wasn't nearly as high as it would have been if we'd shipped the vehicle separately. I'd say, if you can afford to ship it, do so. The "us" time you'll get will be well worth the extra expense.

zumala -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:39:14 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: caitlyn I would drive both cars. The maintenance isn't lost money. It's a good idea to get that done yearly anyway, especially in a place like south Texas (anything south of Dallas), where you really don't want to be stranded at all ... what with that "young white girls being sold in Mexico" thing we have going on down here.[;)] Say WHAT now? [:D] I don't recall hearing anything about them selling young white girls down here. Then again, I guess I'm not 'young' anymore at 29. [;)] I'd vote for driving both vehicles or setting up to tow them. The walkie-talkies are a great idea. zuma

JohnWarren -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:48:09 AM)
Since towing isn't an option, I'd elect to have drivers in both cars. Get some handsfree cellular phones with lots of minutes or even free between the two of you. For a trip like that maintance checks aren't an option they are a necessity. Get them both checked over carefully. Since you are going through unfamiliar territority, I'm recommend having a towing plan like AAA or the one that comes as part of a Gigco policy. It's good for peace of mind at the very least. I'd also get a pair of hand held GPS units. Not the big expensive, install-in-car ones. Three hundred could get you the pair. You don't really navigate with them, but they help a lot if you get separated ("I'm on 80 and I can see a big barn" doesn't really help). They are also useful if you need to call for road service.

RosaB -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 7:54:05 AM)
Not sure what the cost or method of shipping you're planning to ship. Amtrak? But with the cost of gas these days, it may well be worth the extra expense to go with option 1. This way you can take turns driving and in between doing all kinds of fun unmentionable things along the way that's just not as fun via walkie talkie. Baltimore to Texas is one long drive it should be fun, the two of you shouldn't have to be stressed by the time you get there. There's always Craig's Lst to see if anyone's traveling from your area that's willing to drive the car in exchange for small fee or bartering for some other item or service Whater you decide, I wish you a fun, happy and safe trip. Rosa

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 9:32:53 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: RosaB There's always Craig's Lst to see if anyone's traveling from your area that's willing to drive the car in exchange for small fee or bartering for some other item or service Whater you decide, I wish you a fun, happy and safe trip. Rosa We had considered that, and realized we're just not THAT trusting. Right now we are leaning towards the convenience and efficiency of having each of us drive our cars, with walkie talkies. I made the drive last August when I got my partner settled in for grad school, other than the stranded three days in Tennessee, it was a fine and simple drive.

LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 11:39:19 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sub4hire Now, to the question of the hour...why move to Texas? As to the why: A) My local partner is originally from Houston and his family is there, including his 90yo father. So it would be good to be closer there at least for awhile to spend more time. B) My local partner also went to UT Austin and lived there for a few years after graduating and enjoys the city a lot C) My other partner is living in Austin for at least another 4 years finishing his graduate program at UT Austin D) Both myself and my local partner knew we wanted to move this summer and since my family is doing pretty well here and I have nothing seriously keeping me, it made sense to start our lives as a group together in Austin

JohnWarren -> RE: Car- ship or drive? (6/23/2006 12:04:52 PM)
Give our greetings to Davo and is lovely little wife when you get to Austin. Libby and I remember them with great fondness.

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