Date:         Fri, 20 Jun 1997 10:08:10 +0200
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Richard Lumb" <richard.lumb@dlr.de>
Subject:      Re: Shipping van to Europe 


On Thu, 19 Jun 1997 13:13:13 -0500, Tim Smith wrote,
> 
> Done this once, never again.  Was not expensive at the time, nor
> difficult, used Atlantic Container Lines who operate a Ro-Ro
> (roll-on, roll-off)car terminal.... ..
> Like the M-Benz that was loaded under the 50 ton hydraulic ramp
> that gave access to the upper deck area...... When I got the van it
> had been forklifted under the belly, gas heater dead and exhaust
> broken.  Rear bumper flattened to the body, knobs missing from
> radio and loose. An experience to avoid.
> 

I've spoken to a broker about doing the reverse trip; Europe to US 
and back again.  They _strongly recommend_ shipping the vehicle 
inside a 20' ISO freight container rather than ro-ro for precisely 
the sort of reason that Tim mentions.  Only customs get their 
hands on the vehicle.  Ro-ro is somewhat cheaper, but you could end 
up paying a lot more to straighten out the resultant damage.


Regards,
Rich Lumb