How do I choose a trucking company?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by JamesKelsey, May 3, 2011.

  1. JamesKelsey

    JamesKelsey Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    May 3, 2011
    Port Orchard, WA
    0
    I'm a metal sculptor in the Seattle area and am looking into shipping some sculptures down to Santa Fe, NM.

    I'm looking all over the web and can't find any great information on how to find a good company... or an independent (are there any of those left?)

    I grew up with my Uncle being a trucker, but he died a few years back and can't ask for his opinion. (He was John O'Brien / Swapper).

    Anyway, can anyone here direct me to a good company / driver or give any suggestions?

    Thanks!

    James
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,708
    12,368
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    How big are these scluptures ? Are they wrapped, pallatized, or what ? You could Fed-Ex them, LTL them (ABF, Yellow Freight, USF). Or even Greyhound them, if small enough.
     
  4. JamesKelsey

    JamesKelsey Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    May 3, 2011
    Port Orchard, WA
    0
    My sculptures vary from 8' to 21' high and from 500lbs to 1,500 lbs each. Right now, they aren't wrapped or pallatized, but I could do either depending on what was needed.

    My goal would be to load them onto a truck and then Meet them at their final location for unloading.

    I know there are the large companies, but I'm not sure if it's best to go with one of them or find someone who works with independent truckers.

    Thanks.
     
  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,708
    12,368
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Wow, the 21' high piece needs to be layed on it's side, for sure. Would that damage it ? Can they be flatbedded, needing tarped ? Just how fragile ? How many pieces etc ? Loaded from a dock or the ground ? things to think about.....
     
  6. JamesKelsey

    JamesKelsey Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    May 3, 2011
    Port Orchard, WA
    0
    Yeah... all of my work can be laid on it's side. Most are Stainless steel or bronze and are strong enough for riding down the road.

    I'm really just looking for a good way to FIND a trucking company... other than just googling "trucking company" and clicking on the first one.

    James
     
  7. FluffyGuy

    FluffyGuy Light Load Member

    166
    33
    Apr 10, 2011
    Fresno, California
    0
    With the info you have above i would try emailing Gordon Trucking and just ask for a quote. I know they do a lot of work out of Washington so it couldn't hurt just to see what they would charge.
     
  8. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,708
    12,368
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Go thru a broker, I don't think a company would let you ship thru them.
     
  9. Crash935

    Crash935 Medium Load Member

    329
    164
    Sep 8, 2007
    Wyoming Mi
    0
    Doesnt sound like something that you would want to ship via a LTL company without some serious crateing. Anything over the size of a standard pallet pretty much just gets pushed around the dock and onto trailers at transfer points.

    Might try Freightquote. Alot of hotshot and expediters use it to find freight to finish filling space.
     
  10. SmoothShifter

    SmoothShifter Defender of the Driveline

    561
    581
    Sep 10, 2010
    Feura Bush, NY
    0
    I would find a local company that specializes in flatbed hauling and rigging. Someone who can look at your sculptures and figure out a way to get as many of them on one shipment without breaking them, and correctly supporting and securing them.

    Even a local precast concrete company might be able to steer you to someone reputable. Precast will break if not loaded properly - it has to be handled and secured by people who actually know what stress points are.

    Good luck.
     
  11. SmokeyCowboy009

    SmokeyCowboy009 Heavy Load Member

    715
    315
    Mar 4, 2009
    Watertown, WI
    0
    i may suggest asking your local museums as well who they use to transport fragile/valuable goods.
    usually best to crate the items or build a sort of open frame that supports the whole piece shrink wrapped so no parts fall away or use foam to guard against possible damage as well.
    I could suggest the company i work for but our shipping from the West coast is very limited and I cant say fer sure what charges would be, shall we say, bartered.

    you can deal directly with a company or call brokers to see what they charge etc.
    also you will need to have the company or persons involved to be repituble and not some amatuer driving the products.
    I will say a newbie driver has no experience or understanding or hauling such an item as would someone say with 10 - 25+ yrs exp. driving many types of loads.

    my 2c
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.