Hassle-Free Engine Shipping

It’s that time of year. Temperatures are cold outside which makes it all the better for working in the shop and finishing your latest car restoration project.

As you know, the heart of any restoration starts with the engine.  There are countless other potential challenges and obstacles to any project but the biggest often seem to involve locating and restoring the perfect engine. Yet, it’s not just the process of cleaning and repairing an engine that takes time and causes delays – sometimes the biggest challenge is the logistics of shipping the engine wherever it needs to go.

What are important things to know about shipping an engine, and are their different considerations when shipping a new versus used engine?

Whether an engine is new or restored, figuring out how to get it out of the garage safely and delivered as cost effectively as possible to its destination are always the priorities.

As a shop owner or an at-home mechanic, safe shipping of an engine starts with the packaging and preparation. This is a crucial step in preventing damage and loss. Here are 3 important steps to get you started:

First, you need to use a pallet. The smallest pallet that the engine will safely sit on is best and none of the engine should hang down into the pallet where the hoist truck forks will be inserted. That is a guaranteed way to cause damage. Using a crate is an option, but it is typically not required.

Place the engine flat on the pallet in the center and use some small pieces of wood to create a cradle that prevents the oil pan from crushing and yet stabilizes the engine. Another option is set the engine flat on its flywheel.

You then need to shrink wrap the engine and strap it down to the pallet. You can use ratchet tie downs, banding or nylon rope. The engine should not move more than a couple of inches when properly secured and tipped on its side. Since most shipments are loaded and unloaded off of trucks at least three times as they move through a carrier’s system, this last step is vital.

The differences of shipping new compared to used engines are simple but extremely important.

When packaging engines or other automotive parts make sure they are drained of all liquids. This may seem like common sense to most people, but shipments can get delayed at any point in transit because of leaking gasoline. Nothing gets a trucking company’s attention faster than the smell of gas or solvents where they don’t expect them. Leaks of this type will result in extra charges and delivery delays.

The other reason you want to drain fluids when shipping automotive parts is that the fluid leaks can also damage packaging causing them to deteriorate. Again, save yourself the headache, cost and delay; take care of this before it becomes a problem.

Another difference between shipping new and used engines can be the cost.

Understanding the right way to package and prepare an engine is just the first part – it is equally important to understand how shipping companies charge for moving heavy, expensive products like engines

Shipping an engine will typically happen with an LTL (less-than-truckload) or common carrier. 

Simply put, these types of trucking companies specialize in shipping quantities that do not take up a whole semi-tractor trailer.

Since your engine is just one of many different items on an LTL truck at any given time, carriers use several methods to determine the price they charge. The most common is freight class. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association issues a publication called the “National Motor Freight Classification” or NMFC. This is basically a big directory that assigns a classification to almost any item you can think of to ship – it’s very thorough. This serves as the rule and guide to the trucking industry and is used to determine the “classification” of shipments. The higher the classification the higher the cost.

The price you pay to ship an item is directly tied to its stated freight classification. Before you determine your freight class for your shipment, you must identify certain factors about your specific freight. Freight class is based on weight, length and height, density, ease of handling, value and liability from things like theft, damage, break-ability and spoilage.

Most Engines will move under a specific NMFC classification (call us at 800.716.7608 to determine the right freight class for your shipment). Classifications of new engines can range from class 85 to 150 depending on how the engine is packaged and its value. Used engines have fewer possible classifications, ranging from 70 to 85.

Unsure about what the proper classification for your engine or what carrier to choose? Contact FreightCenter's Engine Shipping Experts to get a fast, free quote to ship your engine.

Conclusion:

Restoring cars as a business or a hobby is a passion for a lot of mechanics and most would agree it’s the right engine that will make or break the restoration.

Since part of getting the right engine that will make the restoration always involves having to get it shipped across town, or across the country, it is important to understand the steps involved in transporting a unique item like an engine. It is also important to do it economically.

Proper packaging and preparation will ensure the engine arrives safely and damage free. 

Understanding how carrier pricing works will help minimize shipping costs and save money.

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How to Ship an Engine Safely

How to Ship an Engine Safely:

Engines and automobile parts are heavy, expensive freight materials.  Improper packing is the number one reason that freight is damaged during transport.  Read up on these tips to learn how to ship your engine or auto part safely.

1.  Remove all fluids: If you are shipping a used part make sure to remove all the fluids from the engine or auto part.  Less than truckload freight is usually transported on more than one vehicle and is shifted and moved during the process. 

2.  Bubble wrap the part:  Roll the part in bubble wrap or foam for extra padding and security and shrink wrap your part.

3.  Palletize or crate: Your best bet is to secure the shrink wrapped part on a pallet and strap it down.  Cushion the item with padding and foam and build a crate around the pallet.  Forklifts can easily lift pallets which makes for easier and safer handling for the carrier. 

4.  Compare rates: FreightCenter allows you to compare top rates from carriers that specialize in shipping auto parts.  Book your shipment online, view paperwork and track your parts shipment all in one location.  Visit FreightCenter to compare instant quotes.

5.  Purchase additional insurance:  New engines and parts qualify for additional insurance options.  Talk to your freight agent about which options are right for you. 800-716-7608

Shipping an Engine in the Most Efficient, Hassle-free Way

Shipping an engine across the United States and other countries present some unique problems of their own due to their sheer weight and size. For one, bulky and heavy items such as car, boat and truck engines need to be crated and packed properly. Because of size and weight limitations, the post office and parcel mailing companies may even refuse to handle such items. You will find that the best and efficient way to ship engines across the country is by freight.

There are many companies that specialize in shipping heavy items and freight nationwide as can be evident from doing a quick online search. Sellers of engines, after accepting orders, need to have these engines shipped to the customer. Buyers also need to decide where they want the engines delivered - they can save money by shipping to a cargo terminal or have it shipped to their house or business at a higher cost. There are a lot of steps that need to be done in shipping an engine to the customer to make sure that the delivery process goes in a smooth and hassle-free manner.

If you are looking for a company to help you through the engine shipping process, FreightCenter can be a great choice. They have been an engine shipping expert for years, and let you compare rates and choose the best price from all the top carriers.

I have highlighted some major steps and processes below of things to keep in mind when preparing for your engine shipping. Reading and following these steps can help ensure the process of shipping an engine through freight shipping goes smoothly:

Preparing the engine for shipping – All types of liquids should be drained from the engine. This includes engine oils, coolants, lubricants, and even water. Do this to avoid possible damage to the engine as well as additional costs.

Packing the engine – It is important to properly pack the engine for engine shipping to prevent damage. Make sure that the engine is mounted onto pallets, securely fastened using banding, and wrapped with shrink-wrap and breakaway adhesive. The proper labels should be placed legibly and clearly to allow for easier and smoother transport. The shipping contract between you and the carrier usually stipulates that the engine must be packed and secured properly to minimize the risk of damage during transport. Keep in mind that their liability could be waived if the proper guidelines for packing are not followed.

Know the weight of your freight – We all know that shipping engines and freight depends on the volume and weight of the particular item. The weight of the item should be an accurate assessment and must include packing materials (even crate, pallet, and wrapping). To avoid being overcharged, make sure to get an accurate weight for your engine. The best option is to get it weighed after it is already prepared and ready for shipping. If you do not have the means to weigh your package at your home or business, there are certified weight scales available at a variety of locations. You can do a simple online search to find a location nearest you.

Read and understand the paperwork – Each carrier and company that you choose will have specific paperwork for you to read and fill out to prepare for your engine shipping. Make sure that you read this paperwork carefully and thoroughly as there are special instructions and guidelines usually included that can help save you time and future headaches with your engine shipping. When booking your shipping, the company will always issue you a bill of lading (BOL). It’s very important to use this paperwork because it shows the carrier the specific rates and discounts you have been issued for the shipment. Not using and not properly reading your paperwork can result in delay in delivery as well as additional charges by the carrier, so take a few minutes to read over everything properly.

Decide where to have the engine shipped – Generally, there are two places where you can choose to have your freight delivered. The first is at the cargo shipping terminal. This is the terminal where all the freight trucks are unloaded and freight is interchanged within their transportation network. You can choose to have your engine shipped directly to a terminal and save on costs. There are hundreds of terminal locations nationwide and you can ask your shipping company where the closest location is to you.
The other place where you may want to have your engine delivered is at home or your business address. Although more convenient, there are additional costs because from the cargo terminal, the shipper has to employ another freight truck and additional manpower to deliver the engine directly to your address. There might also be additional charges including limited access and residential delivery, depending on where you are having your engine shipped. Always ask your freight agent for specifics of any additional charges that may apply.

Have proper identification ready – When claiming your engine shipping, whether at a terminal or at your residence or business, be prepared to show documents and identification showing that you are the actual recipient of the freight. Identification is important to have in both instances to avoid extra storage fees and re-delivery charges if no one is available when the engine is delivered. The carrier will not just drop off your engine at your door with no signature, so make sure to make the proper arrangement on the day of your engine delivery..

Other engine shipping problems – All trusted and experienced freight companies should have a customer service department and hotline for customer to be able to call if at anytime you encounter any problems or have any questions during the shipping process. If you choose FreightCenter, as previously mentioned, they actually assign you a specific account manager to personally contact at any time during your shipment. I really like this added benefit, as it can save a lot of wasted time on hold and being transferred as is common with other companies. For your convenience, if you do choose FreightCenter, their number is: 1-800-716-7608.

Shipping an engine can be a challenging experience, especially for a non-experienced shipper trying to figure out the best carrier and company to choose and the proper way to prepare and package the engine for shipping. Using a company like FreightCenter can make shipping an engine easier and hassle free. FreightCenter allows you to receive free instant comparison quotes from trusted carriers, and their knowledgeable staff can help you through the whole engine shipping process. They assure an effective and efficient shipping process for those who want to ship an engine and transport large loads.