The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk shipping a short step bed or hood?

hello all:
if i were to purchase a short step bed for a 55-66 what would be better for shipping?
to take it apart and ship the pieces? or if it is in rolling condition (used as an old trailer)to haul it that way.
what about a hood for a 55-66?
any preferred economical shippers?
fed ex,ups,bulk rate shippers?
thank you

Shipping bulk items can be pricey , I payed a pretty penny ..over $200 to have my rear fenders shipped from Chicago Ill. to central PA.,in a box trailor.
then again if you search the internet for shipping brokers as my Uncle did he found a car hauler going from Houston Texas to NewJersey with a bunch of new f-350 work trucks for the city of Trenton and there was an open spot , the hauler charged us $500 flat to haul my complete 52 and drop it off in front of my house ,from the interstate they were traveling was abought a 30 mile detour to get to me, I thought $500 was MORE THAN REASONABLE.
Just a suggestion.

Time or money, your choice.
I would think if the bed is complete the best bet would be to leave it that way and go pick it up yourself, if you have the time. You might have trouble getting someone to disassemble it to ship.
However something to consider is the cost to pick it up. In 1981 AAA announced the average cost per mile to drive was 50 cents. That of course considered more than fuel costs. If you don't own or can't borrow a trailer I have see U-Hall to be pretty pricy for car hauler trailers. For only a pickup bed you shouldn't need that big a trailer. It might be cheaper to have it shipped.
Just my rambling thoughts.

I've shipped hoods & fenders by Greyhound pretty reasonable & no damage.
Doug

check out what the dog said,,,ups and fedx have a size and weight limit...doc

hey dog:
i will look into that greyhound deal. is there any particular department i need to call. must i box the items and delvier them to some sort of central hub?

thank you

Buses have a full width cargo box under the frame. Your part goes in that same space as Grandma's hatbox. So, any sharp corners/edges must be protected. And, anything that may rub off on peoples luggage must be protected. I use cardboard & duct tape on corners & edges & then use pallet wrap overall the whole part. Pallet wrap is like a 36" wide industrial saran wrap. If I am in doubt on wrapping or price, I wrap it to what I think is OK, then take it to my local bus depot & show it to the station agent (boss). Costs me about a 20 mi. drive ea. way but I am sure it'll ship & have a good price idea. If I'm gonna auction it, I get prices to three cities of various distances & use that to guesstimate a final shipping price. They have a website but in the end its your local agent you have to work with. I have a great one, done a fair share of shipping thru the yrs. with him. You must have the recipients phone # when its sent, they call him for pick-up at the station on his end.
Doug