OPEN DISCUSSION TOPIC IV

Professional Transporters - Should You or Should You Not?

Have you ever had to drive a truck and trailer to pick up your 'new' used car?  This statement alone makes it seem as if the purchaser simply could not readily find someone else to travel to simply drive the 'new' used car home.  Well, what if the 'new' used car was 5 years old and already perceived as a highly desirable collector car which 'used' car value had already exceeded its original sticker price?  Now, would you drive it home or tow it?  Going to an even deeper core into the salivating glands of the pure muscle car collector - would you drive it or tow it 250 miles roundtrip and it only had 3600 miles on the odometer?  Put yourselves into the shoes of a Buick enthusiast and ask these questions if the vehicle were a 1987 Buick GNX, specifically no. 184.

Buick GNX 184

Now that we are all on the same page - let's talk about professional transporters and relate them to a story of a amateur car towing mishap which turned out ok in the end.

So, you want a collector car......

The story begins in southwest Michigan in December 1992.  My father and I decided to co-purchase a Buick GNX simply because it was black, comfortable, larger than a sports car, sleek, and just outright fast or is it quick (a discussion for another day).  This purchase was a result of re-investing funds acquired from the theft of a 1985 Buick Grand National.  In Michigan, it is hard to tell what kind of weather you deal with between Thanksgiving and New Years - but after that it is pretty much in the cards - snow.

As luck would have it (the only piece of luck we had that day), we had not seen any measurable amounts of snow (most importantly no salt on the roads to date) in Michigan at the time we made the journey to Chicago to view and most likely purchase the GNX.  We did what any grass roots car collector does - grab a buddy with a tow vehicle and a trailer.  Well, at least we had a tow vehicle although no trailer, so why not take the vehicle that typically tows the trailer?  Down Interstate 94 to Chicago we go.  Upon arrival, there it sits in the garage of a suburban ranch house - a real GNX.  After a brief drive, solid look-over, review of the VIN, and subsequent paperwork along with the traditional "say goodbye" handshake, onto the trailer it went.  Well, it wasn't snowing but it was starting to rain at about 40 degrees.  Back home on Interstate 94 we go.

Not so fast - the fun begins when the tow vehicle sputters.  We pull off the highway, check out the truck and determine that it must be something minor - all the gauges in the Suburban check out fine.  With caution, we proceed down the highway in a total downpour.  Let's remember the date - this is before cell phones and a 'bag phone' at the time was generally reserved for the 'elite.'  Since we didn't fill the 'elite' status we didn't have a 'bag phone.'  What we did have was a growing tow vehicle problem - BOOM!  Blew a head gasket.  Coasted to a stop on a rain soaked, bare minimum shouldered I-94 1 hour from home - in the dark.  After sitting for 15 minutes - there was but one thing to do - unload the GNX and drive it home.  Yes, unload the GNX on the freeway, and drive it home.  No, it was not registered and we certainly were without plates - although a legit Bill of Sale.  Well, needless to say that was the most miles the GNX turned over in the next 8 years.  In addition, we made it home.  The story continues with a midnight run back to put the Suburban on the trailer and tow it home.

Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda........

This is the point in the lessons learned section that one looks back and wonders - if someone can afford a true collector car, should that person reach a little bit deeper to invest in a true car transportation professional?  Notice the wording - invest.  You invest long term in a collector car.  You invest short term in getting the car into long term storage.  Regardless, both scenarios require an investment.  Transporters - you know the ones - those with the experience, closed trailers, bonded drivers, and most importantly liability insurance.  Stories like the one above (a true story that happened to me) are actually as common at car shows as the big fish story at a late night campfire.  Ever hear the one about the emergency stop that caused the car on the trailer to end up in the bed of the pickup towing it?  This seems to be the most common mishap.  Why is it a mishap - not because of the emergency stop but simply due to the lack of care taken in strapping the car to the trailer.  The car and trailer have to act in unison - act as one body feeling the same bumps in the road.  In the last month, I saw a car on a open trailer only held in place by the winch cable.  Cross my heart - there were no straps, chains, or even a string of cable ties holding that car in place.  I simply passed quickly and went on my way before I had a reason to get to know the driver of the tow vehicle.

Need another reason to use a professional tow service?  Ever consider the possibility of theft?  It crosses my mind constantly since my 1985 Buick Grand National disappeared from a parking lot in about 2 minutes.  Recently, the latest gag is to back your tow vehicle to an innocent trailer - connect, and off you go.  No one knows if it is yours or not.  There goes your collector car - off to someone else's garage.  Try explaining that you left your trailer hitch unguarded or locked at a major car event to your insurance agent.

Transporter Tips.................

Items to consider when selecting a transporter:

• First, agree on the value of the collector car with the transporting company prior to loading the vehicle

• Obtain a copy of the transporters liability insurance and drivers bond

• Is the transporter commercially licensed to carry vehicles within the states of interest?

• Make sure your insurance is up to date with the vehicle's value, activate to full coverage prior to transportation

• Attempt to avoid signing a "Waiver of Liability" by the transporting company - this may not be addressed until after the vehicle is on the trailer

• Take photos of the vehicle just prior to loading it on the trailer - make sure the driver is aware you are doing this

• Make sure all 'loose items" are tight - mirrors, antenna

• Close the windows, latch the hood trunk, and doors

• Make sure the car is locked and the transporter has the keys

• Do not put a cover on the car - the wind can turn this into a whip beating against the vehicle's paint

I invite everyone - those who have trailer stories and professionals who tow vehicles to jump in and provide your opinion and input to this topic.

J. Shelton