Drive or Transport

Hi,
Will purchase a Tundra SW CM Platinum out of state. As a crow flies, distance between dealer and home is 2500 miles w/2 or 3 overnights. Pinging for thoughts and recommendations to drive or hire a shipper. Leaning towards the latter to avoid long haul wear tear damage etc.. Thanks!

 

Normally I'd say pack a pillow and drive, it will be faster and cheaper.
Better move quick.

 

If weather conditions won't be an issue then I'd go pick that baby up and drive her home smiling the whole trip.

 

Cost = ship

Experience = Drive

What’s more important to you?

 

I'd drive. Take some time off from work and enjoy your honeymoon with the new cm

 

To play the other side, let's assume it will cost probably $1500 to ship (I shipped a vehicle ~1000 miles for $700 a couple years ago).

Conversely, you are looking at maybe...

~$500 to fly out there
~$400 in gas
~$50-250 for two overnight stays (crack motel or a Marriott?)
~$50-200 for food (3 days of small, cheap meals, or a few splurges w/ a drink or two?)
~However much you'd lose by not working (lets say a relatively conservative $300 for 3 days of work)
~However much you valuate your personal time (if you make $14/hr like in the above work-loss example, that is easily another $500 even if you count only the actual time on the road).

Oh, if you assume 50k mile tire lifespan, that is 5% of of your tire life, or another $40-50 .

Unless you really like road trips, or genuinely have a good amount of free time to potentially save a few hundred bucks, Id ship it.

 

I'd ship it, if i was buying a Prius then i might drive it back, 50mpg vs 13mpg lol

 

Drive = fun

 

I'd drive it for the adventure/experience. Plan out an interesting/scenic route on the way back. Go see some things you might not get to otherwise.

 

Ship it.

 

If you plan on driving, i hope you know the truck's mechanical condition well, check all fluids, make sure to check tires, check the spare, check to make sure you have the tools to change a tire etc.... I bought my tundra 600 miles away and i barely made it back home on a leaky water pump. Halfway home the gas tank plastic cover strap broke and was dragging underneath the truck, i had to pull into a gas station and find some rope to secure it back on. 2500 miles is a lot of miles, prepare as much as possible.

 

What he said. Wife and I took my son's van from North Carolina to California. And we are still married! Only had to tell me once if I said one more thing about her driving she was pulling over and getting out.

 

You all ROCK. Will definitely monitor the forecast, in the interim chomping at the envy bit. Cant wait for that honeymoon and BA grin!!

 

If you don't get to visit the states you'd pass through regularly, definitely make a trip out of it if you have the time. (Unless you'd pass through some particularly awful places)

 

I assume that you bought the Tundra because you like to drive it. Hit the road and enjoy the trip.

 

Yup, unprepared as I am my BC would most certainly have stamped that "DUH OH $**t" label on my forehead. Cheers to ya FXFormat.

 

LOL haven't entertained the idea to consider buying a new garage and building a house around it. That will test her sense of humor..

 

Nothing better than a good road trip! Truck will be broken in properly. But as others said, if cost is important to you it’s probably cheaper to ship unless you sleep in the truck and eat bologna sandwiches LOL. The dollar menu at fast food restaurants can save you too LMFAO.

 

Ok @ninjajay especially since my nationwide shopping search has been refined to north of you in your state. Not certain if it is just the time of year, but more if not most of the options are limited available in TX and I have learned Toyota not that enthusiastic about dealer to dealer trade or shipping cross country. Respect the company's operations and inventory choice, and Im doing the leg work, only hope they will reciprocate a bit to work with me on the bottom line or out of door $$.

Speaking of mods, how did you find the process changing to TRD PRO grill ? IDK I believe I read a potential TSS or other issue? TBH 1794 interior choice was big factor swaying me towards the Platinum. (order what you want, eat what you get is that what they say?) Am also searching LED success stories and other mod how to's. Gotta crawl before I walk, get the puppy in the driveway first..patience is waning ha ha!!

 

Ship it.

 

In line with @Fishman57 and @FXFormat. Never a doubter, but more of a believer that it will stand up to the miles well as long as I am prepped and cautious. Wife now enthusiastic & on board ..wishes to participate. Would be great to have her company allowing me to be that part time Back Seat navigator that got @Broncobroke in warmer waters lol.

 

What year and how many miles are on said truck?

 

Sorry I overlooked your post..still learning..

2019 5.7 Platinum MGM.

During negotiations to remove a few add on items I really did not want, I paused and slept the opportunity and the dealership wasn't budging enough and let it go to a higher bidder so I no longer need to arrange travel to TX for pickup. As luck would have it a local dealer willing to search what I wanted and found one close to $3k less OTD than the first. Only requirement remains is the wait for production and shipping. Understandably celebration is reserved until I have the keys in the ignition and pull off the lot will post pics finally at that time. Have been reviewing multiple threads daily and learning so much in the interim. Thanks everyone.. this is a solid and informative community. Wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!