Shipping Crate...or not

[Mechie3]

I think I asked this inside a different thread, but I can't find it.

The shipping crate is $700 or so. That's a decent chunk of change for a wood box that I'll likely never use again. I saw a picture of a GTM getting ready for shipping and it looked like the body was on a steel frame/rack and not boxed up. I assume all of the smaller parts are boxed up regardless of whether you get a crate or not.

Are crates needed?
Are they just for deliveries where no one is home or the kit will be left outside for a period of time?
What happens if you don't get a crate?

[longislandwrx]

I think the crate option was for international deliveries where it would get tossed in a container and otherwise potentially get fubared.

A reliable transporter should be able to ship the frame crateless without damage.

With the 818s individual body panels I would expect everything will come in small boxes except for the frame.

[NicksPapaw]

If you use Stewart Transportation, which ships most of Factory Five's cars, you won,t need a crate. Their trucks have lifts and extendable booms built in to handle your car without a crate and without damage. If you choose another freight company, you will need a crate. And yes the other parts come boxed separately and either fit in the crate or go on Stewart's truck with your car.

[longislandwrx]

This is really my last unknown, If I can pick the kit up myself in a full size pickup or if a cube is required. Or if it's not worth it, just having Stewart do it at what cost?

[Silvertop]

I think I asked this inside a different thread, but I can't find it.

The shipping crate is $700 or so. That's a decent chunk of change for a wood box that I'll likely never use again. I saw a picture of a GTM getting ready for shipping and it looked like the body was on a steel frame/rack and not boxed up. I assume all of the smaller parts are boxed up regardless of whether you get a crate or not.

Are crates needed?
Are they just for deliveries where no one is home or the kit will be left outside for a period of time?
What happens if you don't get a crate?

Actually, I have the same questions regarding whether or not to crate. I'm inclined to order mine crated whether I pick my car up myself, or have it shipped by Stewart or some other transport company. It will allow me to use the crate as storage for components not currently in play -- for example, body parts, which get installed last. For me the question is whether or not Stewart is capable of hauling the kit if it IS in a crate. We probably need to ask FFR or Stewart that question directly to get a reliable answer.

[Joe Scott]

Stewart will ship crated kits, ironically Bob from Stewart is here right now picking up 2 crates. I have seen some very interesting things made with the crates after they are shipped, such as sheds and patio's.

Joe@FFRTECH

[68GT500MAN]

Back in the day (before Stewart) most kits were shipped in the crates. Stewart came along in a nitch market to deliver the product safely at a lower cost. Back in 2002 I got several quotes from shipping companies for the crate ranging from $5500 to $8250 from Mass to Calif (Stewart wanted $1200). They said I was paying for floor space used since nothing could be effectively stacked on or around the crate. This was delivered to my business dock door not a house! I would think that FFR is still going to use their tried and true packaging method with the 818 and ship the frame with the body panels attached temporarily.
Doug

[kgkeys]

This is really my last unknown, If I can pick the kit up myself in a full size pickup or if a cube is required. Or if it's not worth it, just having Stewart do it at what cost?

From New York, you could probably do a self pickup with a truck/trailer, fairly economically. F5 is 1700 miles from me, so I did the math... at 17mpg average (towing on the return), that's 100 gal at around $3.75 average or $750 round trip. If I stay in a hotel one night each way, there's close to $200. If I drive up empty and rent a trailer, there's another, I dunno 2-3 hundred? It became obvious pretty quickly that Stewart was the answer for me.

-Kyle

[Silvertop]

From New York, you could probably do a self pickup with a truck/trailer, fairly economically. F5 is 1700 miles from me, so I did the math... at 17mpg average (towing on the return), that's 100 gal at around $3.75 average or $750 round trip. If I stay in a hotel one night each way, there's close to $200. If I drive up empty and rent a trailer, there's another, I dunno 2-3 hundred? It became obvious pretty quickly that Stewart was the answer for me.

-Kyle

I did the math too. At 1400 miles, I'm a touch closer than you, but Stewart Transport will still be the most time- and cost-effective way to get my kit delivered this fall. Which isn't to say that I might not pick the kit up myself anyways -- just for the pure joy of it. Especially since I can't go to next week's Open House.

[WIS89]

I would say that coming from "The Island.....Strong Island," you could easily use a trailer and truck to get the kit. My suggestion would be to simply rent a U-haul or similar box trailer (to keep everything out of the weather, and the wind causing you potential problems), you would be all set.

It's a modest trip, you could tour the facility-- worth the trip all by itself!! You could load the kit with FFR's expert help in the trailer with overflow into the pick-up. It would be a modest investment to rent the trailer and travel expenses. All in all, my opinion, is this would be the best choice (not that you asked me)!

Best of luck with your 818!

Regards,

Steve



This is really my last unknown, If I can pick the kit up myself in a full size pickup or if a cube is required. Or if it's not worth it, just having Stewart do it at what cost?

[carbon fiber]

i picked my gtm at the factory in a van/car trailer. the boxes filled the van completely. you could probably rent a decent size box van and get it all. it's fun to visit the factory and take pics/look around. might be worth it for that.

[longislandwrx]

I'll be at the open house next Saturday, so if it's not saving a significant amount of money, I may just leave it to the pros.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Craig/Mechie,
No crate required with Stewart. They'll keep you informed regarding delivery time and schedule drop off with you once they load your car up at FFR. Last one I had delivered to Indiana was around $1,200.

Jeff

[Indy14]

I used Stewart Transportation. Very happy with their service. No create needed. Cost was about $1,200 from FFR to Indiana.
Most all parts came in boxes. Some aluminum panels came attached to the frame. You will need a frame work of some kind for the body to sit on.

[wleehendrick]

You will need a frame work of some kind for the body to sit on.

I know a body buck is typical for FFR's other kits, but since the 818 has no paint individual body panels, I'm planning on wrapping them and putting them in storage (to get them out of harm's way in the garage) during the build.