Route 66 trip taking my car over
Discussion
So after a long chat taking my car over or buying one there to do the trip and bringing it back...... Ive gone for taking my VW Bug over.
This is me!
I'm taking my bug over on the roll on roll off service ( have to arrange this )
I'm going for 4 weeks starting from Chicago.
I need all the help as I can get!!
Insurance Do I find an agent over here or over there
what papers do I need to carry while over Full Licence/mot/V5/insurance
Spare plates/bulbs/rbits that might need to do repairs on route
Is there am AA/RAC recovery services to join
Agents to get the car over/bring it back = no fussing around let them handle the whole thing
How long does the shipping take to get the car over? what ports etc.
Any other advice which i'll need!!
I'm not going till next year but I want this started now so i can start planning/paying for everything
This is me!
I'm taking my bug over on the roll on roll off service ( have to arrange this )
I'm going for 4 weeks starting from Chicago.
I need all the help as I can get!!
Insurance Do I find an agent over here or over there
what papers do I need to carry while over Full Licence/mot/V5/insurance
Spare plates/bulbs/rbits that might need to do repairs on route
Is there am AA/RAC recovery services to join
Agents to get the car over/bring it back = no fussing around let them handle the whole thing
How long does the shipping take to get the car over? what ports etc.
Any other advice which i'll need!!
I'm not going till next year but I want this started now so i can start planning/paying for everything
uberdub said:
I'm taking my bug over on the roll on roll off service ( have to arrange this )
I'm going for 4 weeks starting from Chicago.
I need all the help as I can get!!
Insurance Do I find an agent over here or over there
what papers do I need to carry while over Full Licence/mot/V5/insurance
Spare plates/bulbs/rbits that might need to do repairs on route
Is there am AA/RAC recovery services to join
Agents to get the car over/bring it back = no fussing around let them handle the whole thing
How long does the shipping take to get the car over? what ports etc.
Any other advice which i'll need!!
I'm not going till next year but I want this started now so i can start planning/paying for everything
If you are starting in Chicago, how does the car get from the east coast to northern Illinois?I'm going for 4 weeks starting from Chicago.
I need all the help as I can get!!
Insurance Do I find an agent over here or over there
what papers do I need to carry while over Full Licence/mot/V5/insurance
Spare plates/bulbs/rbits that might need to do repairs on route
Is there am AA/RAC recovery services to join
Agents to get the car over/bring it back = no fussing around let them handle the whole thing
How long does the shipping take to get the car over? what ports etc.
Any other advice which i'll need!!
I'm not going till next year but I want this started now so i can start planning/paying for everything
Insurance is going to be convoluted at best and pretty much impossible using a US provider. You need to arrange overseas cover with your current UK insurance provider.
You need to carry a valid drivers license, registration (in your case a V5, I suspect) and proof of insurance.
Don't need any spare bulbs or other crap like that - this is America.
We have AAA - but they would not cover a foreighn registered temporary import - particularly if it's an old banger.
Temporary importation isn't cheap and it is paperwork laden. I repatriated a Euro-spec 2001 Corvette in 2003 and it cost around 1500 quid (though that was in a 20' shipping container vs RoRo)
Ordinarily, from UK the car would end up somewhere like NYC more accurately, Elizabeth Terminal, Newark NJ, Baltimore, Philadelphia or Wilmington DE. I think port to port (not including customs clearance - which can be a real nightmare) takes between 14 and 21 days.
One of the most reputable ro-ro carriers is Wallenius Wilhelmsen, they ship out of Southampton. If you want to ship direct to Chicago then you really need to do it in a container. A key issue will be that customs will do the work on their schedule, not on yours.
I would not recommend undertaking this project. It will be hideously expensive. It would be far better to rent a car for the journey. If the car goes wrong, you phone the rental company and they give you a new one. This isn't the case when your own car sees problems and you will be at the mercy of whoever is repairing it - and there may be no choice if there is only one tow company in the area.
I would not recommend undertaking this project. It will be hideously expensive. It would be far better to rent a car for the journey. If the car goes wrong, you phone the rental company and they give you a new one. This isn't the case when your own car sees problems and you will be at the mercy of whoever is repairing it - and there may be no choice if there is only one tow company in the area.
The AA/RAC may have an agreement with AAA, but I wouldn't count on it. AA Relay might not cover you if you break down in, say, Albuquerque. I have AAA Premier which is the best coverage, it covers me up to 200 miles of towing and cost $105 for a year if I recall.
If you've never driven across America before do bear in mind that, especially west of the Mississippi distances can be vast; major cities are hundreds of miles apart and you literally can find yourself a hundred or more miles from a place that can repair your car should it break down. It's also not 1978, Beetle parts, while easy to obtain, aren't stocked at local auto parts stores anymore.
As far as paperwork goes, I'd suppose carrying an MOT cert can't hurt (many states have absolutely no safety inspections) I'd say the Police will accept a Road Tax disc as proof that the car is registered and you'll need to carry your insurance card and license with you WHENEVER you are driving the car. There's no producers in the US, failure to exhibit documents can get you a ticket or in some states, failure to display proof off surance means Mr. Officer is calling a tow truck.
If you send your car Ro-Ro your stereo will get stolen. Period.
Also, how powerful is your beetle? Forget what you've heard about 55mph limits, in most western states the speed limit is 70-75 mph and rarely enforced unless you're 10 or more over the limit. Driving conditions over here are vastly different than in Europe, and the weather can be much more severe than in the UK, 90F in the summer is normal in much of the country (100+ is normal in the southwest) and snow can be measured in feet.
Do you want to drive across Arizona without air conditioning?
Not trying to dissuade you from the trip, just bear in mind what you're getting yourself into.
If you've never driven across America before do bear in mind that, especially west of the Mississippi distances can be vast; major cities are hundreds of miles apart and you literally can find yourself a hundred or more miles from a place that can repair your car should it break down. It's also not 1978, Beetle parts, while easy to obtain, aren't stocked at local auto parts stores anymore.
As far as paperwork goes, I'd suppose carrying an MOT cert can't hurt (many states have absolutely no safety inspections) I'd say the Police will accept a Road Tax disc as proof that the car is registered and you'll need to carry your insurance card and license with you WHENEVER you are driving the car. There's no producers in the US, failure to exhibit documents can get you a ticket or in some states, failure to display proof off surance means Mr. Officer is calling a tow truck.
If you send your car Ro-Ro your stereo will get stolen. Period.
Also, how powerful is your beetle? Forget what you've heard about 55mph limits, in most western states the speed limit is 70-75 mph and rarely enforced unless you're 10 or more over the limit. Driving conditions over here are vastly different than in Europe, and the weather can be much more severe than in the UK, 90F in the summer is normal in much of the country (100+ is normal in the southwest) and snow can be measured in feet.
Do you want to drive across Arizona without air conditioning?
Not trying to dissuade you from the trip, just bear in mind what you're getting yourself into.
Matt,
AAA ought to cover him. They've towed numerous antique cars for me before.
Insurance... Cheaper to go with a UK broker, but Hagerty might be worth a shot. www.hagerty.com
AAA ought to cover him. They've towed numerous antique cars for me before.
Insurance... Cheaper to go with a UK broker, but Hagerty might be worth a shot. www.hagerty.com
GavinPearson said:
I would not recommend undertaking this project. It will be hideously expensive. It would be far better to rent a car for the journey. If the car goes wrong, you phone the rental company and they give you a new one. This isn't the case when your own car sees problems and you will be at the mercy of whoever is repairing it - and there may be no choice if there is only one tow company in the area.
Why hideously expensive? There are several classic car clubs who do this every year. It costs them around $1800 return on a Ro-Ro to the East Coast. There are several companies who will insure them, and a lot of classic car owners can manage to fix their own cars, or are in touch with various networks of classic car owners.I'd prefer to take my own car from the UK to the US, as it'll be my car, fairly unique, and add to the fun.
I could rent a car, but unless I'm picking up some generic POS, it'll cost more than taking my car across.
Captain Cadillac said:
Matt,
AAA ought to cover him. They've towed numerous antique cars for me before.
Insurance... Cheaper to go with a UK broker, but Hagerty might be worth a shot. www.hagerty.com
Bill - I'll always defer to your wider experience. I based my comment on my own experience, in trying to establish AAA cover for my Corvette, which was temporarily imported and running on it's UK license plate and tax disc. They declined to offer coverage in those circumstances. When I switched it to permanent import and title/tagged it, they covered it without issue.AAA ought to cover him. They've towed numerous antique cars for me before.
Insurance... Cheaper to go with a UK broker, but Hagerty might be worth a shot. www.hagerty.com
Matt Harper said:
Bill - I'll always defer to your wider experience. I based my comment on my own experience, in trying to establish AAA cover for my Corvette, which was temporarily imported and running on it's UK license plate and tax disc. They declined to offer coverage in those circumstances. When I switched it to permanent import and title/tagged it, they covered it without issue.
Matt,They've never broken my balls about it, I once had my '60 Velox towed when it was still on a Canadian trip permit (Temp tag) and no questions were asked. Ive had cars towed on dealer plates before as well.
Surprised they gave you grief for that... :/
Are you two guys on the same page here?
AAA Sells car insurance in addition to its road breakdown coverage.
As an insurance company there are some vehicles it does not insure. (Ford 350s for example)
As a breakdown recovery service, they will pick up anything you are driving. I think they like it to be legally on the road but in my experience they subcontract, and all the driver checks is your AAA membership card.
With regard to the hotness here, air would be desirable
I've seen bugs fitted with York compressors, under trunk condenser and the evaporator either in the "smugglers box" or under the dash.
AAA Sells car insurance in addition to its road breakdown coverage.
As an insurance company there are some vehicles it does not insure. (Ford 350s for example)
As a breakdown recovery service, they will pick up anything you are driving. I think they like it to be legally on the road but in my experience they subcontract, and all the driver checks is your AAA membership card.
With regard to the hotness here, air would be desirable
I've seen bugs fitted with York compressors, under trunk condenser and the evaporator either in the "smugglers box" or under the dash.
I have done umnerous 66 trips and you need very reliable transport. Much of it is quite remoten especially the Texas Panhandle,Western AZ and most of CA. If you sitck to the actual route some of it is dirt track in places. You need to have lots of water and there are strips with no cell service. Great fun, but I would be inclind to rent a modern car there and do the trip.
PM me if you want any info.
PM me if you want any info.
I'd love to do this in my Volvo. Do it!
RDMcG said:
I have done umnerous 66 trips and you need very reliable transport. Much of it is quite remoten especially the Texas Panhandle,Western AZ and most of CA. If you sitck to the actual route some of it is dirt track in places. You need to have lots of water and there are strips with no cell service. Great fun, but I would be inclind to rent a modern car there and do the trip.
PM me if you want any info.
RDMcG - I sent you an email the other day, did ya get it?PM me if you want any info.
Join ADAC. They're the best breakdown cover you can get (IMO) and they have reciprocal agreements in place with the AA in the UK and AAA in the US (they're german). They're very good.
Papers, you'll need your licence, registration and insurance as stated by others. Insurance is not difficult to get, but don't expect it to be especially cheap either. None of the big names will touch it, so stick with smaller brokers. I know a couple if you get stuck, but there's quite a few PHers who've done this type of trip who will have contacts for you.
Shipping wise, RoRo it. Container isn't necessary. Schumacher are decent folks.
As for spares, carry what you think is suitable. I'd certainly keep a few consumables around. Oh, and coolant
Papers, you'll need your licence, registration and insurance as stated by others. Insurance is not difficult to get, but don't expect it to be especially cheap either. None of the big names will touch it, so stick with smaller brokers. I know a couple if you get stuck, but there's quite a few PHers who've done this type of trip who will have contacts for you.
Shipping wise, RoRo it. Container isn't necessary. Schumacher are decent folks.
As for spares, carry what you think is suitable. I'd certainly keep a few consumables around. Oh, and coolant
chrisw75 said:
Why hideously expensive? There are several classic car clubs who do this every year. It costs them around $1800 return on a Ro-Ro to the East Coast. There are several companies who will insure them, and a lot of classic car owners can manage to fix their own cars, or are in touch with various networks of classic car owners.
I'd prefer to take my own car from the UK to the US, as it'll be my car, fairly unique, and add to the fun.
I could rent a car, but unless I'm picking up some generic POS, it'll cost more than taking my car across.
Just to give you a guide, going from Newark to Chicago will take around 14 hours of driving to start the Route 66 trip so it's not really a Route 66 trip but a cross USA trip. It's a long distance whichever way you cut it. While I would just rent a Mustang convertible and enjoy the sights and the peace of mind of being in a totally reliable car that's good fun to drive I can appreciate the joy of driving a slow mobile sauna across the USA. I'd prefer to take my own car from the UK to the US, as it'll be my car, fairly unique, and add to the fun.
I could rent a car, but unless I'm picking up some generic POS, it'll cost more than taking my car across.
I'd consider all of the implications before undertaking something so ambitious.
Having read all the posts and having done 66 with my own car , I would like to add the following.
Probably should have taken out breakdown cover as the Corvette broke down twice (in New Mexico and Las Vegas) but it got fixed by really helpful local guys .
My car went W W lines and I made sure the shipping agents in Southampton and Baltimore did all the paperwork.
It is really important that you use a company that knows its stuff, the last thing you need is a hold up when you get to the US .
When I flew into Baltimore I was able to pick up the car three days later. The delay I believe was down to extra X rays.
I removed all the manuals , and the number plates etc from the car and took them in hand luggage.
I too had the comments from friends "why don t you just hire a car?. It will be much easier !
Can t really explain why ,but I just wanted to do the trip in my own car. For one thing ,you won t be short of people to talk to. I had people constantly asking were I was from with those "funny plates" (including The Highway Patrol) and when they spotted the GB plate ,said "Oh I see you support George Bush !!
At the end of the trip when I finally picked up the Vette from Bristol Docks it was filthy but unmarked. It even had a full tank of fuel from the final fill up in Beverley Hills.The only things missing were a pair of old trainers that I left in the boot. Even the large pine cones that I collected in Yosemite were still there.
Finally I would recommend the book Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen. Route 66 is quite hard to follow in places as it loops off and back onto I 40.
This book is a great help and gives you a run down of all the interesting attractions en route.
Probably should have taken out breakdown cover as the Corvette broke down twice (in New Mexico and Las Vegas) but it got fixed by really helpful local guys .
My car went W W lines and I made sure the shipping agents in Southampton and Baltimore did all the paperwork.
It is really important that you use a company that knows its stuff, the last thing you need is a hold up when you get to the US .
When I flew into Baltimore I was able to pick up the car three days later. The delay I believe was down to extra X rays.
I removed all the manuals , and the number plates etc from the car and took them in hand luggage.
I too had the comments from friends "why don t you just hire a car?. It will be much easier !
Can t really explain why ,but I just wanted to do the trip in my own car. For one thing ,you won t be short of people to talk to. I had people constantly asking were I was from with those "funny plates" (including The Highway Patrol) and when they spotted the GB plate ,said "Oh I see you support George Bush !!
At the end of the trip when I finally picked up the Vette from Bristol Docks it was filthy but unmarked. It even had a full tank of fuel from the final fill up in Beverley Hills.The only things missing were a pair of old trainers that I left in the boot. Even the large pine cones that I collected in Yosemite were still there.
Finally I would recommend the book Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen. Route 66 is quite hard to follow in places as it loops off and back onto I 40.
This book is a great help and gives you a run down of all the interesting attractions en route.
scs1 said:
Having read all the posts and having done 66 with my own car , I would like to add the following.
Probably should have taken out breakdown cover as the Corvette broke down twice (in New Mexico and Las Vegas) but it got fixed by really helpful local guys .
My car went W W lines and I made sure the shipping agents in Southampton and Baltimore did all the paperwork.
It is really important that you use a company that knows its stuff, the last thing you need is a hold up when you get to the US .
When I flew into Baltimore I was able to pick up the car three days later. The delay I believe was down to extra X rays.
I removed all the manuals , and the number plates etc from the car and took them in hand luggage.
I too had the comments from friends "why don t you just hire a car?. It will be much easier !
Can t really explain why ,but I just wanted to do the trip in my own car. For one thing ,you won t be short of people to talk to. I had people constantly asking were I was from with those "funny plates" (including The Highway Patrol) and when they spotted the GB plate ,said "Oh I see you support George Bush !!
At the end of the trip when I finally picked up the Vette from Bristol Docks it was filthy but unmarked. It even had a full tank of fuel from the final fill up in Beverley Hills.The only things missing were a pair of old trainers that I left in the boot. Even the large pine cones that I collected in Yosemite were still there.
Finally I would recommend the book Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen. Route 66 is quite hard to follow in places as it loops off and back onto I 40.
This book is a great help and gives you a run down of all the interesting attractions en route.
Excellent real world advice - the burning question, as always - how did you insure it? Utilizing your UK based provider?Probably should have taken out breakdown cover as the Corvette broke down twice (in New Mexico and Las Vegas) but it got fixed by really helpful local guys .
My car went W W lines and I made sure the shipping agents in Southampton and Baltimore did all the paperwork.
It is really important that you use a company that knows its stuff, the last thing you need is a hold up when you get to the US .
When I flew into Baltimore I was able to pick up the car three days later. The delay I believe was down to extra X rays.
I removed all the manuals , and the number plates etc from the car and took them in hand luggage.
I too had the comments from friends "why don t you just hire a car?. It will be much easier !
Can t really explain why ,but I just wanted to do the trip in my own car. For one thing ,you won t be short of people to talk to. I had people constantly asking were I was from with those "funny plates" (including The Highway Patrol) and when they spotted the GB plate ,said "Oh I see you support George Bush !!
At the end of the trip when I finally picked up the Vette from Bristol Docks it was filthy but unmarked. It even had a full tank of fuel from the final fill up in Beverley Hills.The only things missing were a pair of old trainers that I left in the boot. Even the large pine cones that I collected in Yosemite were still there.
Finally I would recommend the book Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen. Route 66 is quite hard to follow in places as it loops off and back onto I 40.
This book is a great help and gives you a run down of all the interesting attractions en route.
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