Cheapest way to ship big and heavy??

[Behemoth]

I got a engine I need to ship from pittsburgh area to houston. It weighs roughly 400-500lbs and will be in a crate at least 2' x 2' x 3'. the only quote i could find was fedex at something like $1500. Thats absurd, thats more than the engine itself is worth. I know there has to be cheaper ways to ship. People ship bigger and heavier things all the time. Whats the trick?

[HahnB]

My friend had a car towed on a flat bed to florida from ohio for 500 bucks. I'm sure someone that does that would throw a engine on there and strap it down for the same price.

[mrelwooddowd]

you could probably drive it yourself for 300

[Behemoth]

hahnB - even that is very pricey. i see people shipping them on ebay to wherever in the US for 200-250. im just not sure how

mr wellwooddowd - i average 16.5 all highway. no way. plus factor in at LEAST 3 days of mad driving.

[BilltheButcher]

http://www.crating.net/

http://www.discountfreightrate.com/quote.php

http://www.transitsystems.com/shipping_services.html?scc=|111|47|50|33|&kw=shipping+a+engine

Just some of the sites I found. Also I think there are people that will drive stuff somewhere cheaper then UPS. My brother had an engine shipped from Philly to Jacksonville, I haven't been able to reach him though.

[Hatred]

Ups.
R&L carriers.
I bought an Engine and a tranny and paid like 160.00 for shipping from the salvage yard.

[Unreal]

You need to use a freight service. Look them up in the phone book.

[mrelwooddowd]

If it was me (and this is just me..I call Pizza Hut when I can't find an address), I would call a local place that ships engines often and see how they do it.