Cheapest shipping company for 2000# of rock?

[Greg Hiller]

Okay, I'm still thinking about treking down to Florida to pick up some quarried limestone rock. I plan to ship the stuff from Miami to Boston on a pallet, though I may need a 'gallord?' (a big cardboard box). I called one company and was quoted $500 for a 2000# shipment. Anyone know of a cheaper place/organization? I have some frequent flier miles I plan to cash in, but by the time I factor in the truck rental, one night hotel, gas, cost of the rock, etc., etc., I ballpark $0.60/lb or so, and not like for the best rock in the world.

 

[stang8s]

I use rlcarriers.com alot. Check their website they have a shipping calculator but you will need to know the class and the zipcode where it is coming from. I would guess rock has a very low class # which is good/cheap.

 

[wrassefan]

Would you be better off trying to go thru Fishy Business (Marc and Jeanne) for a bulk shipment of the dry rock they are buying?? Sounds like first class rock to me.

 

[JWeb]

Greg,

I have a corporate account with R&L Carriers - the carrier recommended above by stang8s. I always receive excellent service and support from them... and I routinely ship small loads of 1 - 3 pallets of 2000 - 4000 lb / pallet (similar to what you are looking to do). They are perfect for that. If it is fairly dense rock, I would chose class 50. If it is somewhat porous, I'd go with a class 60.

Also, I can get you some Gaylord boxes, too... but I'm sure you aren't interested in carrying those on the plane (they won't fit in an overhead bin).

Anyway, just my 0.02$ on R&L Carriers. Good guys n' gals.

Jeff

 

[Greg Hiller]

Wrassefan, I agree, the rock Marc has is VERY nice for the price. I don't really need really nice rock though as most of the rock I'm going to get I will be using for coral propagation (yes I really do go through that much rock!).

Jeff and JWeb, thanks I will get a quote from these guys. Any idea what a Gaylord box will cost me in Miami?

 

[stang8s]

when you get there look in your phone book for the nearest 1) Plastics mfg plant or 2) Scrap metal dealer. Either should give you a gaylord box for free. Of course it wont fit in the rental car unless your getting a pickup or possibly some suvs!

90% of the gaylord boxes around come from plastics plants. They get the raw plastic in pelletized form in them.

Jeff

 

[Greg Hiller]

Jeff,

Great idea. I will be renting a Ryder truck that can deal with the weight of the rock. The truck rental is not much, but they charge $0.25/mile, and I figure my round trip is going to be about 130-150 miles.

Anybody want to come along?