Shipping question/questions

Thinkin'Bout Racin

National Contender
Feb 20, 2017
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I will qualify this by stating that I have been thinking about this for a while, but decided to ask those that have been thru this already. I figured that there is no need to re-invent the wheel again for this .....

I understand the need for the shipping boxes and foam (like what is available at DD4H) , but am wondering once those are fitted ...what next ?

Could someone please post a few pictures of how they finish packaging the car boxes in the flat rate box? How many cars in what sized box? Any additional protective packaging that may be needed? Any hints or tips that will help the cars we all work so hard on to remain protected/intact?

I am sure that I can't be the only one out here thinking about trying to race and wondering how to go about shipping the cars/cars to race proxy ...any and all help appreciated.

I did a search and found tips on making the car carriers, but did not see anything about how many cars in what sized boxes along with additional packing tips. If I missed it, can you please point me in the right direction?

Thanks
 
Depending on the number of cars (usually for me, it's four or less), I use my own box, under 12" per side (the post office can get you if a side is over 12"). I pad the sides with bubble wrap before packing John's shipping boxes. Before I seal it, I have a bubble wrap "top" to take out any movement of the inside boxes. I do not wrap John's shipping boxes with bubble wrap because its too difficult for the race coordinator to re-pack your cars after the race. Do not make a packing puzzle. Remember to write the car name on John's shipping box and on the bottom of the car so the Race coordinator can find the right shipping box for the right car. Also remember to put a pre-paid USPS shipping label in the box before sealing it closed.
 
Depending on the number of cars (usually for me, it's four or less), I use my own box, under 12" per side (the post office can get you if a side is over 12"). I pad the sides with bubble wrap before packing John's shipping boxes. Before I seal it, I have a bubble wrap "top" to take out any movement of the inside boxes. I do not wrap John's shipping boxes with bubble wrap because its too difficult for the race coordinator to re-pack your cars after the race. Do not make a packing puzzle. Remember to write the car name on John's shipping box and on the bottom of the car so the Race coordinator can find the right shipping box for the right car. Also remember to put a pre-paid USPS shipping label in the box before sealing it closed.

Thanks B Regal. I appreciate any help I can get. I did dig thru and found a set of pictures on 5 kids site. That should help some, but I am still hoping that someone can post a couple pics of their boxes before they seal them up. I have to believe there are a number of us that could benefit from seeing how the Pro's ship their cars safely .

I know that these type of pictures are not flashy, but as we all know a picture is worth a thousand words. With my simple mind, it may be closer to 10 thousand words! ;)
 
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I built my own shipping box....been using it for a few months and it's got some pluses and minuses. I'll try to post pictures here.

I started with this stuff https://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/Kaizen-Foam-p13435.htm Kaizen Foam. It's put together in layers so you can mark out a shape, cut it and peel out the depth you want. From staples, I picked up some standard mailing boxes that are roughly 14x11x4. I wanted to be able to save the foam but replace the box when it gets tired.

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The foam thickness is 2 1/4" so I cut the cars out to basically sit all the way down in the foam. Here's a shot of the foam in the process of being cut out.

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In the 14" box I have room for four cars. I cut out a top layer with a protrusion over each car slot to hold them in place.

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Since I completed this version, I've subsequently modified it to make more room around the wheels. The biggest drawback of this foam is that it doesn't cut nearly as cleanly as the high density foam used in many other shipping boxes. So to make sure that nothing gets in the cars or wheels I've also lined below and above the cars with plastic wrap to keep them clean. You could also address that issue by bagging the cars, which I do from time to time as well.

I've used that box a few times now and cars have all held up very well, no damage or USPS steering adjustments. Unfortunately that is not my excuse for why they are so slow.

PROS: reusable foam insert, easy to make, not terribly expensive
CONS: foam does not cut super clean, have to protect cars from debris somehow.
 
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oh...and I just tape it up, slap a label on it and send it off. I don't put it in another box to ship.
 
IBM...

Thanks for the pictures! Pictures always help!

That is a different approach than what I had envisioned, but if you have had success with it, it might be a possibility. I really had figured that each car would have it's own box/foam and then those boxes would be placed inside another box with additional foam protection from the dreaded USPS tune Nazi's.

Again , THANKS for taking the time to respond with the pictures.

BTW, the cars look nice. I see the orange car and the "Bruin" car appear to have air sliders? What class do they run in?
 
Thanks for the compliments! I do think that a lot of folks use individual boxes like the ones the vendors sell for each car then put them inside another box for mailing. I like tinkering with stuff so I thought I'd give this a try.

Both of those cars are box stock. Bruin is one that I built and the Orange car, aptly named I Dunno, was built by my younger son.
 
This is what most folks do. Some cushion the individual cars boxes with foam. I use bubble wrap. The key is not to make a jig saw puzzle of the packing, yet still protect your cars. When you have 30 racers each packing cars differently, it can be a challenge to get the cars boxed up. Its something you have to experience to get an appreciation for.

PWD%20Packing_zpsiurlmhaq.jpg
 
Regal,

Thanks for the pictures! Like I have said before, they are worth several thousand words to me! ;)

One additional question ...well maybe a couple. :p

Are their 2 cars or 4 cars? (two layers deep) and ...what sized shipping box is that? (medium or large Flat rate?)

Ok, so a third question ... Are they a 3" or 4" wide individual car box?

Thanks!
 
That was for this upcoming race on Friday. I'm shipping 4 cars in 4" wide boxes. My shipping box is 12" by 12" by 9"

IBM,
For dealing with the debris after cutting out the foam, you may try one of those barbecue lighters to gently heat the cut areas and melt the debris. I believe Cramjet gave a detailed description on how to do this. It may help; try and experiment with it on a small piece first so you do not burn your house down.
 
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That was for this upcoming race on Friday. I'm shipping 4 cars in 4" wide boxes. My shipping box is 12" by 12" by 9"

IBM,
For dealing with the debris after cutting out the foam, you may try one of those barbecue lighters to gently heat the cut areas and melt the debris. I believe Cramjet gave a detailed description on how to do this. It may help; try and experiment with it on a small piece first so you do not burn your house down.

B Regal - thanks for the explanation of the box sizes. It really helps.

IBM- I have been fighting fires for nearly 33 years. Caution would be advised if trying to use an open flame with foam. I believe that Cramjet suggested using a heat gun or hairdryer to lightly "melt" the foam so as to give it a smooth finish that is less likely to shed into your bores. Caution is still advised, but it would be more likely that you would melt the foam and burn yourself rather than start a fire with a heat gun.
 
I have more tools than I have uses for them....I'm gonna have to break out the heat gun and give it a try.
 
I have more tools than I have uses for them....I'm gonna have to break out the heat gun and give it a try.

I REALLY didn't think it was possible to have too many tools??? I keep finding new ones that I "need". ;)

In all seriousness, I have found that good tools help make the job easier and make for a better finished product. I just can't justify spending the extra cash on everything I want. Besides, I wouldn't have room to store all of them :eek:
 
Just make sure there is a layer between the car box and the inner wall of the container box and you should be great... IF you cut your shipping box correctly.

Thanks John. Good point on making sure the first layer of defense if fitted properly. That is another reason I may consider shipping the Scout cars first. They were my first attempts at cutting a foam shipping box. I figure better to test my shipping methods on those cars as they won't be raced anymore.