shipping a bare chassis

[craig chima]

Does anyone have any ideas on how best to go about shipping a complete, but otherwise bare Lotus 7 chassis (i.e. skinned, but nothing else on it -- just the chassis) from Ohio to California? Probably weighs 175# (some strengthening mods done to it). I could potentially build a crate and stick it inside but trying to avoid that option. Only other thing I can think of is to center it on a pallet and then bolt it down and maybe shrink wrap the whole thing…. Other thoughts or ideas greatly appreciated. Craig

[rzempel]

The last time I moved a bare chassis, I just lifted it onto my truck's ladder/lumber rack. Moved it about 500 miles that way, without any problems. All the other parts fit easily inside the bed of the truck.

 

Randall

[Kitcat]

Craig's chassis has to go approx 2,300 miles, 1-way tho.

[xcarguy]

Craig,

 

When I shipped my bare Stalker chassis from FL to AR for the rebuild, I specifically opted for the 'crate' option...yes, a bit more expense, but keeps loose parts intact and undamaged.

 

X

[Hettric]

How about a furniture mover? They will wrap it in blankets. I use them to move custom kitchens with many more issues that a chassis.

[wemtd]

Craig

Call Tom (tbox) he has had excellent results usingpallets as a base. Bolting in the frame. Then building a crate up & around. Bolt in any extras: nothing shifts or goes flying in transit. This will cost more than you were originally hoping but ensures you reach the destination unscathed.

Or pop it in your pickup and take a vacation to sunny sunny California

[escondidoron]

Craig

"...........excellent results usingpallets as a base. Bolting in the frame. Then building a crate up & around. Bolt in any extras: nothing shifts or goes flying in transit. This will cost more than you were originally hoping but ensures you reach the destination unscathed.

 

Concur.

 

I've used this approach several times for large parts / structures. A simple pallet style base and sheeting made from large chip structural 3/8" particle board (I.e. Cheap) with 1-5/8" drywall screws and 2x2s as corner reinforcement / screw strips. I've shipped a large framework to Europe using this method w/o damagE.

[Ian7]

Hi Craig,

How about posting a request for transport on a race site like apexspeed.com?

They occasionally have ads for trailers criss-crossing the country, and someone may be able to slide in the frame for gas money.

[craig chima]

Guys, got it done using a large pallet as a base and then built a box around the pallet. Needed to buy some aluminum sheeting for a couple of projects currently in the shop and the aluminum came on a 4' x 8' pallet and that ended up being sufficient to use as the base (with some extra reinforcement). The box ended up being 30" high x 48" wide x 120" long and weighed just over 350# including the chassis and was just over $650 to ship to California from Ohio which I thought fairly reasonable. Should be there mid-week next week. And yes, it's the chassis that will replace the one that got written off during the F Production race at the Runoffs this year. Craig