Date:         Tue, 22 Jan 2002 08:39:17 -0800
Reply-To:     Chris Weddle <info@2WEDDLE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Weddle <info@2WEDDLE.COM>
Subject:      Shipping Transaxles by UPS or Fedex
Comments: To: Syncro list <Syncro@yahoogroups.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

A few notes about shipping a trans by UPS or Fedex:

1. Remove the shift lever (it has the plastic ball on the end). Remove the
slave cylinder bracket. Remove the vacuum box and bracket. These parts will
certainly be destroyed if you don't take them off.

2. Drain all of the oil out of the trans and put the trans in a couple of
large garbage bags to prevent oil from seeping through the package.

3. Use a strong cardboard box that is in good condition. Don't attempt to
use a wooden box or crate, as this will put the package over the 150 lb.
weight limit. And there is a good chance you will be charged extra handling
for anything not packaged in a corrugated cardboard box.

4. Surround the trans with lots of cardboard and/or foam padding. Do not
rely on packing peanuts alone to protect the trans. They won't do the job.

5. Tape the heck out of the box with real packaging tape (not duct tape!).

6. Don't be surprised if the trans sustains damage despite the above
precautions.

No offense to anyone who works for Fedex or UPS, but neither of these
companies will treat your transaxle with any respect whatsoever. They will
drop the 140+ lb. package from heights of 4 or 5 feet without giving it a
second thought. Although both companies accept packages up to 150 lbs. and
charge you accordingly, their employees don't seem to like handling heavy
packages and it shows.

We have learned a few packaging tricks over the years, and we have reduced
the number of damaged transaxles to a minimum. We insure the all packages
for their full value, and in the instances where damage has occurred, we
have always been able to get a fair settlement from either Fedex or UPS.

Don't be afraid to ship your transaxle by UPS or Fedex, just package it very
well and odds are you won't have any problems.

Chris Weddle
Weddle Industries
700 Becknell Rd, Unit A
Goleta, CA 93117 USA
(805) 696-9665
Fax (805) 696-9667
info@2weddle.com