Auto Transport and Advice requested

[Idoru99]

Good afternoon,

Has anyone actually put a Challenger Widebody on a U-Haul Auto Transporter (all 4 tires off the ground)? By specs I can find, it looks like the auto transporter is wide enough (barely) but I'm wondering if anyone has actually done it. I assume I'll need race ramps or something to lower the attack angle to get onto the trailer.

Background:
I ordered a widebody from a dealership away from home and need to start thinking of how to get it home.

My first thought was to rent the U-Haul Auto Transporter and trailer it home. Just not sure if it actually fits - according to U-Haul's website, it does.

I can't find anyone around my area (Northern Virginia, just south of D.C.) that rents auto trailers that others here use to great success - if anyone has ideas, please throw it out and I'll look them up.

Next idea would be to fly into Nashville and uber / bus to Bowling Green, KY and drive back home.

Fourth, I could also rent a one-way car and drive the challenger home.

I think I'd rather avoid a 650 mile trip on day one, but I know other's have done it.

Before the "why didn't go with Koon's - you're so close" comments - I felt more comfortable during my talks with Martin Dodge.

I am truly looking for recommendations and advice - not someone to "validate" what I want to do. If anyone has ideas I haven't thought of, I'm happy to see if would work.

Thanks.

 

[Stormtrooper1320]

There must be a way to lease a trailer that will fit your car from a regular trailer place. I see the clowns on Shipping Wars do this frequently for loads that are bigger than the trailer they are using.

Or maybe a toy hauler from an RV rental type place.

This place has 8x24 car hauler for rent
https://www.beckleysrvs.com/rentals/cargo-trailer-8x24

This place has multiple types for rent
http://www.blueridgetrailer.com/trailer-rentals/

I just did a google search for trailer rental northen virginia, hope this helps.

 

[vortecd]

Fourth. I rented a Challenger last year and drove from Michigan to Virginia picked up the Hellcat and drove it home 750 miles. Something I will always remember. Wouldn't have been the same towing it home

 

[SilverBillet]

I was just going to say drive it, you will thoroughly enjoy it way more than the worry associated with towing it. Fly down. Hopefully there are cheap flights to Nashville. Get the salesman to pick you up and take you back to sign the documents. Drive it home. That’s what I did. I bought mine in NC and drove it back to N.VA. The only bad thing is lot’s of bugs in the air between here and Nashville. Hope you have cool weather but you will enjoy the ride.

 

[Av8ing1]

I would drive it. It will be a memorable adventure with your new car and allow you to break it in day one. 650 miles is perfect. It will arrive home ready to go.

 

[Idoru99]

Sorry for my delayed response.

@Stormtrooper1320 Thank you! Not sure why those didn't show up in my search, maybe too narrow b y use of my ZIP vice Northern Virginia.

@vortecd , @SilverBillet , @Av8ing1 - Thanks for your thoughts on driving. I hadn't thought about asking the dealership to pick me up...definitely something to think about!

Appreciate everyone's input. I'll let you know what I decide

 

[Snowman]

I would not put it on an open trailer. The rocks thrown up from the tow vehicle will destroy your new car. Luckily I learned with a much less valuable car.

 

[Idoru99]

@Snowman - one of the thing's I'm worried about. However, I did tow my wife's Audi last year from Lexington, KY and haven't found any rock hits on it. Could just be very lucky...

 

[SilverBillet]

More of a chance of stones and pebble damage from driving it than towing it. I towed this car on an open trailer in the 70’s to races and in the 80’s and 90’s to car shows and never had any damage. I did have an incident with another car I was towing in 2005 where I had to go through some fresh line paint that got thrown down the side of it. I bought an enclosed trailer right after that and now don’t have to worry about stones, line paint or possible hail.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I would not put it on an open trailer. The rocks thrown up from the tow vehicle will destroy your new car. Luckily I learned with a much less valuable car.

That's not really an open trailer issue, but using a bumper pull, and/or one without a shield on the front.
I have towed much more expensive cars on open trailers without any issues.

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

Brandon Wilkinson is a known for transporting Hellcats Demons all kinds of cars from the known Speedshops. Has an excellent reputation. I saw on FB he was looking for some Eastcoast work.
Josh @ HHP uses him.
Give him a call.(916)745-9681

Linda

 

[Stormtrooper1320]

That's not really an open trailer issue, but using a bumper pull, and/or one without a shield on the front.
I have towed much more expensive cars on open trailers without any issues. View attachment 42947

Oh good......I'm glad to see you have it loaded up. Take your time getting here and enjoy the drive.....I don't really need the car until next Saturday

 

[DGatzby]

I would not put it on an open trailer. The rocks thrown up from the tow vehicle will destroy your new car. Luckily I learned with a much less valuable car.

It can be successfully done even in the worst of crap. Not a scratch found.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Oh good......I'm glad to see you have it loaded up. Take your time getting here and enjoy the drive.....I don't really need the car until next Saturday

Oh, that was her "old" Turbo S. The one she traded in on an ordered new one...which is the one that made it here before the ordered Redeye arrived.

Then again, the Redeye was ordered two days later than the 911. But then again, again, they both did come from foreign countries.

 

[ChargerChallenger]

I think its interesting that your car would get all dinged up trailering it over actually driving it down the road😜

 

[Jimmy N.]

I think its interesting that your car would get all dinged up trailering it over actually driving it down the road😜

Depends on how badly you normally tailgate someone, I suppose.

 

[SilverBillet]

It can be successfully done even in the worst of crap. Not a scratch found.
View attachment 42956

10 rolls of tape helps!

 

[Xylander]

I want to say drive it, but my cars don't do road trips without PPF. Nothing like a 300 mile road trip with some new paint dings on the front bumper. If it were me, I'd just go and hire an independent insured shipper and have them bring it to the house in a covered trailer. I use Uship for all of my brokered deals and I've always had positive results.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I want to say drive it, but my cars don't do road trips without PPF.

Mine do. But not until broken in properly.

 

[Magnified]

I would one way and drive back, or have it delivered. I paid 300 or 500 or something and had a dealer approved retired couple pick the car up and deliver to my door step. 400 miles one way something g like that. 24 foot power tilt trailer w 4 foot shield up front. Car arrived flawless and I had the sales guy toss a g meter in the back [maybe I am suspicious...] great experience. I was going to drive it w a army buddy of mine but that did not work out, alas. Anyway, I've recommended these folks to 3 people on here. Not heard any one complain.

Good luck.