b-thumper

Ok, I'm far from an expert, but I thought I'd share my recent experience with shipping wheels. Ideally, we could all sell locally. Unfortunately, the reality is that most of us have to sell stuff online with costly shipping.

<b>So here is my system:</b> 2 Pieces of cardboard (padded) on the wheel face, cardboard on the back, wrap it in saran wrap, a little strapping tape, and you're good to go! In this case, I shipped from Florida to NY State. Your mileage may vary, especially if you can find some saving in packing supplies.

<b>Total: ~$145</b>

Here's the breakdown:
•Shipping = $21 per wheel (@53 lbs) via Fedex Ground. UPS Ground would have been $37 per wheel.
•Packing Supplies = $60 (comprised of padding, boxes, strapping tape, utility knife, and <a href="http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=322036&uniqueSearchFlag=true& Ntt=wrap&x=0&y=0&An=text">"industrial saran wrap".</a> You could probably get the packing costs down to $30 without too much effort. Use tape instead of saran wrap, etc.

Here's the step by step:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step1.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step2.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step3.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step5.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step6.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step7.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step4.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step8.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step9.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/step10.jpg">
<b>DON'T FORGET THE LUG NUTS!!!!!!</B>

Anyway, I'm not an expert, but this is what I used. It's relatively cheap (i.e. cheaper than boxing + shipping) and gets the job done.

Remember, just say no to:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bubblethumper/Wheel%20Packing/stamped-avus.jpg">

Good luck!

DanosS4

just go to a local wheel shop and ask for boxes.

b-thumper

Ah, but that would be too easy. :-P Plus you've still gotta pad the faces

PSmalls::DoggieStyle

Nice post and even better packaging.

jonah

Very nicely done!

(R)S4 SmokedU /-///

Vote to induct this writeup into the tech section! Good stuff!

FixedWing

I wish all shippers would take that much trouble. Nice job! :-)

BiturboBoy_V2.0_S3--

jon, so after all that packing they were still put in a box of 2?

Stätus Josh

you should not use ANY fiber based products up against the face of the wheel. The best thing to use is plain ol 1/8" foam if possible. Other than that it looks great!

b-thumper

Hmmm... the padding explicitly said it would protect against scratches.