The customer needed to relocate his old Nissan Pathfinder from Roseville, California to Dallas, Texas. However, there was a hitch. The SUV would not start.
During the preceding week of Christmas, he tried contacting four to five transport companies. The majority gave him the same reply. “The drivers want to be at home during Christmas,” most of them said. “Finding a person to transport a non-running car during that time of the year would be difficult.” We used his information and provided a competitive price for him. In addition, we told him right up front that getting a driver before the New Year would prove to be difficult. He booked with us anyway on December 29th. It required winch loading as it did not have the ability to move on its own power.
Finding a Driver During the Holidays
The distance from Roseville, CA, to Dallas, Texas, is about 1,700 miles. That’s not the issue, though. Carriers make this trip quite frequently, using primarily the I-40 and I-20 highways. California itself transports hundreds of vehicles each day. Los Angeles alone has an enormous flow of port goods, including imported autos bound for the nation’s car dealerships across multiple time zones. Finding trucks to go east therefore is not the problem.
But this is different. Holiday time and a car that won’t start. We assigned carrier on January 5th. The driver operates a 9-car open haul rig with electric winch gear. Those winches will pull 8,000 to 12,000 pounds of weight.
Watching a Winch Job Up Close
Here’s what’s involved when a motorist winches a vehicle onto a hauler.
The cable connects to frame points or tow hooks. And never to the bumper.
The operator controls the speed of the pull and ensures the vehicle is straight.
Much longer than a drive-on.
The driver arrived in Roseville on January 7th at noon sharp. The customer got to observe how he operated. The Pathfinder climbed in minutes. There was no fuss, no scraping, no problems. Four tie-down straps were used to restrain the vehicle. Wheel chocks were used to provide extra safety. The driver took pictures of all this prior to loading. This particular step has been overlooked for reasons unknown. A problem will be hard to diagnose if no documentation exists for preloading conditions.
What Happened on the Road
Throughout the process of transporting the vehicle, driver kept communication with customer on a regular basis. The customer primarily took the initiative to contact driver. He checked on the status of the vehicle. Driver gave him information on the location of the vehicle. He also updated the estimated time of delivery. Both sides completed the inspection at delivery in Dallas. Condition of vehicle was in line with delivery documentation. No issues identified. Transfer done without issues.
Why Dead Cars Cost More to Ship
It would be different in the case of a vehicle that won’t start the engine. It cannot be driven using ramps. It requires winch equipment in addition to the winch operator.
You will have to pay an additional $100 to $300 for this service. The reason for this is because of the special gear that will be required, as well as the overall loading time and the fact that fewer people will be interested in handling it when it’s shipped.
At delivery and pick up times, it will take longer. Your car must also cooperate even when the engine is shot. The transmission must shift gears to neutral. The wheels must be turning. The steering system must not be locked. If it’s all locked up, you are talking about wheel dollies and even more expense.
The Reality of Winch Equipment
Most carriers don’t bother with a winch. They just go with standard equipment for manure transport vehicles. Winches cost money. The cables have to be inspected all the time. The motors require maintenance each month or 100 loads, whichever comes first. The fact that it’s a 9-car hauler tells you he’s doing this business seriously. The open haulers haul 90 percent of the cars in the country. They’re ubiquitous because it’s an effective way to operate. Driver put in good winch equipment because he understands that non-running cars mean steady business if you do it right.
What to Expect When Your Car Won’t Start
Your rate, your Quote, goes up. You’ve got to tack an extra $100, $200, depending upon what you’d pay for a running vehicle. Equipment isn’t free. Your time isn’t free.
Secondly, you will wait longer for a driver to come, and very few carriers have winches either. When it’s peak season, it might take a week or so to get a driver, as opposed to a few days before.
Third, ensure that your mobile is actually mobile. Your transmission should change to neutral. Your wheels should be able to turn. You should be able to turn your steering wheel. While brakes are irrelevant to transport, without being able to move your entire contraption, you will require a Phillips head rivet gun that costs even more. Lastly, expect photos. Lots of photos. Before, during, and after loading. The Bill of Lading will reflect that the vehicle does not operate. Trust, it’s all good for you and the driver if someone comes forward saying damage was incurred.
Why Customer Gave Five Stars
After the Pathfinder landed in Dallas, customer left us a five-star review. Here’s what mattered to him.
That’s what matters in this business. Not the website promises or the sales pitch. The actual experience when your vehicle’s sitting on a truck somewhere between California and Texas.
What the Rules Say About Winches
The federal government does not have particular regulations covering the use of winches. However, cargo securement requirements by DOT must be observed by carriers. The tie-downs must be positioned properly. The weight must be balanced right. The cargo is inspected as it is carried. Winch cables must also support the weight of the vehicle. Steel cables remain in use. Synthetic ropes are gaining favor. These two must be inspected every month for any sign of damage, fraying, or exposure to the sun.
Don’t Try to Hide It
The reason the transport worked was because customer told the truth from the very beginning. The customer had issues with his Pathfinder because it would not start. He did not try to reserve it because it was in working condition in hopes of evading the charge for the inoperable vehicle.
People like this exist. They will pay for regular transport and then be shocked when the transport person can’t fit the dead car into the transport. Delays. Frustration. Blows about who owes whom for what. And sometimes, the transport person refuses the job and walks away. Or bills them for simply arriving and doing no work.
We’d rather have it upfront. We can find you the right carrier. We can get you accurate pricing. We can set expectations that make sense. That’s what this Pathfinder delivered. Booked, matched, retrieved, delivered. No problem.
Transport Summary
- Vehicle type and condition (Inoperable)
- Distance (1,700 miles)
- Primary routes (I-40 E and I-20 E)
- Service type (Open auto transport with electric winch loading)
- Cost: $1,525.00 ($0.90 per mile)
- Transit time (6 days)
- Season context (Winter/holiday)
- Carrier details (9-car open hauler)
See also: San Francisco to Dallas Car Shipping: The Complete Relocation Guide
