Attempting the captioned and looking for suggestions. Right now, ABF U-Pack and Budget Truck Rental are my options. I have no vehicle to tow with and preferring an enclosed container, but open to ideas. Basically an airframe and 5 boxes. Total wt. 600 #
I recently transported a Glastar kit (jump start) from CA to MN. I used MI-Logistics to do the transport. With insurance, it cost less than what fuel alone would have cost to do the run using my own equipment - this also included airfare, hotel and materials for the construction of the crate. I made no allowance for my time.
BTW, MI-Logistics also offered to locate some one to build a crate - but given the load, I wasn't willing to risk someone with other than my interests to build and load the crate with my kit.
I learned of MI-Logistics through U-Ship (another recommended U-Ship and I echo their caution. Few people have an appreciation for the delicate things we call airplanes). Contact Roberto Luciano @ roberto@mi-logistics.com, www.mi-logistics.com, or ph. (704) 902-5380. He’s identifies himself as an owner/partner of the company.
I flew to CA and built and crated the kit. It was a large crate approx. 20x5x7. The Glastar alone was estimated to weigh about 600#s. I don’t recall what we calculated the crate to weigh but it was around 1K#s, kit and crate. If you elect to do this, I HIGHLY recommend that you build the crate base using 2x4 framing with studs at 16" O/C and sheath BOTH top and bottom decks using at least 3/4" plywood. Make certain too that you attach blocks under the base it to permit pallet jack and forklift access.
The sides and top were framed with 2x3 and covered with ¼” sheathing – the cheapest we could find (consider paneling). While we built the crate to what we thought at the time were 'better than it needs to be' standards, the ONLY issue with the shipment was that all but 3, 2x4 cross members were destroyed. Hence, use the sheathing on BOTH sides of the base. Other than the cross members, the rest of the crate arrived in pristine condition. Even with the cross members gone, the kit, in its entirety arrived with NO damage.
Roberto at MI-Logistics locates the best company for the job. He is very thorough and does an excellent job of keeping in touch and ensuring all things are as they should be. As an aside, since the CA shipment, I have been using MI-Logistics to do other LTL shipping for me and my business. I am very impressed and pleased with everything they have done to date.