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How Do You Ship Tires and Rims?

Published by Joe Webster.

How Do You Ship Tires and Rims?

Car tires and rims can be highly prized possessions. Shipping these items can pose a challenge. Their size and weight can make them tricky objects to ship, but it's not impossible with the right knowledge.

There are various factors to consider when hauling tires and rims, from packaging to cost and shifting methods. Educating yourself on the entire tire shipment process will ensure smooth delivery.

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We will show you the best practices for relocating tires and rims. This information will ensure you get your prized wheels to their destination without hassle.

Relocating Tires and Rims

Keeping your shipment safe means making sure the cargo is as compact as possible. Proper packaging and handling techniques are essential to ensure your item arrives intact and free of damage. Tires and rims often require special care when it comes to packaging and hauling labels. It is important to package wheels securely with enough cushioning material.

You should also include other appropriate materials so that it does not rub against anything sharp or create unnecessary strain on any part of the package during transit.

All hazardous materials must be labeled clearly to avoid miscommunication between carriers/handlers about the contents within the package.

Your tires should be placed inside a durable cardboard box with at least two inches of packing material surrounding them from all sides before adding labels onto the package indicating the contents inside. After you package your cargo securely, you can easily haul your items.

several wheel

Shifting Without Rims

Hauling tires without wheels or rims is actually easier than most people think. You can do it with minimal legwork and few supplies required.

Many carriers require no special packaging when shifting a tire. It means you can simply put the tire label on the surface that meets the road and hand it over to your chosen company for hauling.

However, some packing options are available if you wish to provide extra protection for the tires during cargo. You can box up the tires or wrap them securely in plastic wrap before sending them off to keep them from suffering transit damages while on their way.

Additionally, if you send more than one to one destination, running the numbers might save you money by boxing all of these tires together instead of labeling each one individually.

By doing so, hauling costs could be significantly lower than expected due to the bundle's weight and dimensional allowance discounts provided by many courier companies.

Hauling Tires with Rims

Proper precautions should be taken when relocating to ensure their safety during transit. The best practice when packing tires with the wheel and rims attached is to first secure them by placing the tire on a large circle of cardboard and tracing the outline.

You then want to add two separate cardboard circle pieces for each side of the rim, which slows down scratching when handling or shipping.

Additionally, insert a layer of foam between the cardboard pieces for further protection. This form of protection can help reduce further shifting in transit.

Once everything is secure and wrapped, any box or shrink-wrap should work as long as it is slightly larger than the hauled item. It's important not to over-pack with too much bulk surrounding your item to prevent any jostling from damaging the cargo during transit.

Lastly, include enough cushioning materials within your packaging for further assistance in avoiding all possible damages that may occur during shipment.

If you follow these steps closely, tire shifting will have a higher chance of arriving at their destination safely!

man in blue overalls stands holding a wheel

The Cost of Relocating Tires

Hauling tires is a potentially costly task depending on the size, number, package dimensions, and weight of the shipment. The cost of transporting tires varies based on distance, and many carriers provide both local and long-distance services.

Heavier shipments require larger transport vehicles, which require more fuel and labor costs, so they can add up significantly with longer distances.

Other factors affecting tire relocating costs include packaging materials, handling fees, and various insurance charges to protect against any damages during transit. All these needs must be factored into a hauler overall price before booking a service for transporting tires.

The Cost of Shifting Internationally

Relocating internationally can be expensive, depending on your chosen courier service. Popular services like USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer shifting as an option, with varying rates based on weight, destination country or region, and the speed of delivery.

Let's say you want to ship a 50-pound tire from New York to Canada. Hauling with USPS Express Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes will cost you about $50 for up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs). That means a 50-pound would require multiple envelopes. It may cost as much as $41 per envelope, times four or five envelopes.

The cost would also be higher than that since USPS classes shipments over 20 pounds as parcels and charges additional fees. Shipping via UPS Worldwide Expedited and UPS Worldwide Express would cost between $90-$110 just for one 50 lb arrival international cargo.

FedEx International Economy is another option, but their rate calculator only allows you to select a package weighing up to 66 pounds. However, they also facilitate the shipment according to their list of permitted goods, so they could probably relocate your package without a problem.

How Long Does It Take?

The relocating duration will depend on factors like the location the tires are sent from. The type of delivery service used will also affect it.

For example, buying from a retailer or manufacturer like Discount Tires may take two to four business days. Meanwhile, companies like Tire Rack often haul orders within one to two business days.

It's also important to familiarize yourself with safety and performance considerations when buying new ones. This knowledge can be invaluable when making tire decisions based on climate or expected wear and tear over time.

pair of wheel

Summary

Shipping wheels can be a daunting task. Estimates for shipping one wheel range from $50-60 for basic shifting, which includes packaging expenses like bubble wrap and cardboard boxes.

To make the most of it, deflate the tire and then wrap your wheel in relocating wrap or padding before putting it in an oversize box that you can buy from your local post office.

Alternatively, if you're confident in their stability, you can haul your wheels with tires still attached. Simply cut out cardboard circles first to ensure the tire is even against the box.

Study online retailers to compare prices for those looking to reduce costs further. Try your local bike shop for used boxes or ask about any discounts they may offer.

Also, special offers might be available through carriers that deliver parts for more specialized orders (e.g., FedEx vs. USPS).

Finally, leave a comment on this article to share any tips and tricks you might have found helpful when relocating cycling gear—from small items like wheels up to larger items such as bicycles—so that readers can benefit from your knowledge.

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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