Shipping Wheels

I'm looking at shipping a set of wheels from the west coast to the Midwest. Anyone got a go to shipper they can recommend?

It costs too damn much no matter what route you take.

Last couple sets of wheels I sold, I shipped FedEx. When you compare rates online you'll get sticker shock. However, if you make an account on FedEx's site then sign in you'll see lower rates. Then, take your packaged wheels to a FedEx storefront location and have your account info handy. They'll weigh/measure and hit you with the big number again, you provide your account number, and they'll adjust price accordingly.

It's kind of a pain in the ass honestly and may be difficult to get a seller to do this if you're the buyer. I did it because I was the seller and wanted to get the wheels gone.

BTW even when packed in actual wheel boxes, they managed to toss one out of eight hard enough that it bent the wheel.

Richard

Thanks for the input. I'll look at FedEx. I have a commercial address I can have them shipped to, that may lessen the hurt too.

@Z71Hobbs might have some input, IIRC he's mentioned that Fastenal will do reasonable freight shipping.

df2x4 said:

@Z71Hobbs might have some input, IIRC he's mentioned that Fastenal will do reasonable freight shipping.

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Really? Never heard that before. Hope he has some schoolin for me.

df2x4 said:

@Z71Hobbs might have some input, IIRC he's mentioned that Fastenal will do reasonable freight shipping.

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I've heard Fastenal brought up numerous times in regards to shipping large/heavy things. I checked in with them a while back about shipping car body parts. It was explained to me they will not insure anything that is not crated, and that was the big drawback for me. However, some wheels strapped to a pallet may be just fine. You'd need to strap them very well though so they can't get knocked loose, and I'd still wrap them thoroughly with cardboard and stretch wrap and band that to the pallet too, to keep out any prying eyes. It's the same way I'd treat something being shipped through any LTL carrier (Forward Air, etc.) but those guys are much harder to work with when you're just an individual without an account. (I used to ship arcade games/pinball machines via Forward Air years ago.)

Richard

618 Syndicate said:

Really? Never heard that before. Hope he has some schoolin for me.

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I work in the parts industry and used to be a shipper/receiver. I got 2 pieces of advice;

1.) Package them together, ziptie together 2 wheels or 2 boxes taped/banded together ships cheaper as 1 parcel than it does as 2 individuals. So do 2 separate parcels with 2 wheels in each.
2.) Don't use any shipper that makes you enter package dimensions, the price always goes up if you put in dimensions. (most shippers its actually optional-unless over a certain weight)

EDIT: This is assuming you're using a standard carrier (UPS, FEDEX, etc.)

618 Syndicate said:

I'm looking at shipping a set of wheels from the west coast to the Midwest. Anyone got a go to shipper they can recommend?

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Wonder if that's something USPS would do? Or probably too large. They're the best if you're not in a hurry and just want it cheap.

All good advice, thanks fellas. Keep it coming.

I would do fastenal to fastenal. Regular Consumers cannot get reasonable freight quotes from the various shipping companies. I ended up shipping a set of z71tahoe flares via fastenal and all went well. All comes down to how they are fastened to the pallet. I would not use the fedex, usps, or ups for wheels.

Greyhound also does limited freight and I’ve shipped a set of b pillars for a 2 door Tahoe that way before.

and let’s not forget about the 2 door Tahoe clear quarter glass I shipped to Texas. That was fun.