Tempus Logix delivered two vehicles from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania to Taos, New Mexico in 3 days, including an inoperable Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1993 Ford F-150.
Customer needed to move a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1993 Ford F-150 from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania to Taos, New Mexico in early October. The F-150 had some quirks. It only operated in first gear and didn’t use a key to start, but only a switch. Plus, there was a set of spare tires in the back.
The whole shipment covered around 2,000 miles. For a distance like this, carriers typically use larger trailers with 7 or more vehicle spaces. Shorter hauls often use smaller 3-space trailers instead.
It was an open transportation (where vehicles ride on an exposed trailer rather than in an enclosed one) which works fine for most shipments and costs less than enclosed transport.
If they’d needed enclosed transport, the price would have jumped even higher also there aren’t many enclosed carriers with winches capable of loading inop. vehicles.
Car Loading Challenges When It Is Inoperable
The F-150’s mechanical issues meant it couldn’t just drive onto the trailer like the Tahoe could. Carriers use winches and ramps for vehicles that can’t move under their own power, which adds some time to the loading process.
Loading and unloading vehicles takes usually 2-4 hours and pre/post-trip inspections about 1 hour. This makes shipping an inoperable vehicle typically costs more because of the extra work involved in loading.
A few things made the difference here. First, complete information about the F-150’s condition before booking. That allowed Tempus Logix to match the shipment with a carrier who regularly handles inoperable vehicles and had the necessary equipment ready.
That’s actually the biggest factor in keeping these shipments on schedule. When carriers know what they’re dealing with, they can plan accordingly.
Both vehicles got thorough inspections at pickup. That same detailed check happened again at delivery in New Mexico. No new damage showed up after the 2,000-mile trip.
The spare tires in the F-150’s bed got noted on the paperwork too. Personal items in vehicles aren’t always allowed, but things that are part of the vehicle like spare tires can usually make the trip.
How It Went & What It Cost
It was a door-to-door service, meaning pickups and deliveries happened directly at the street addresses. There was no need to drive to a terminal or arrange for someone else to move the vehicles. The shipment cost was $3,000 for both vehicles, which breaks down to roughly $1.50 per mile for the 2,000-mile journey.
The customer left a five-star review:
“The trucker was the coolest guy ever got it there in a good time.”
And to note three days for this distance is pretty standard. Most carriers cover 400–600 miles per day due to federal hours-of-service rules. Drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour workday before they’re required to rest. That is why it took 3 days to complete.
Shipment Summary:
- Route: Tamaqua, PA to Taos, NM
- Vehicles: 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1993 Ford F-150 (Inoperable)
- Distance: ~2,000 miles
- Transit Time: 3 days
- Transport Method: Open carrier
- Total Cost: $3,000
