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[mengo816]

Does anybody have any experience with checking in mounted wheels on an airline? Do you guys thing this is a good idea or should I just go through UPS or FedEx? How likely are they to damage the wheels?

[ben@tirerack]

The weight and number of packages will probably make it expensive to check wheels on most airlines. Airlines are probably less likely to pay a damage claim, and no less likely to damage the wheel imho. Ship it insured with UPS or FedEx would be my advice. Here is how we do it:

http://http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp...res_wheels.jsp

We ship a lot of wheel/tire combos, and get very very few incidents of damage. This is for returns, so ignore the parts about RA numbers etc.

[chris s]

Def UPS or Fedex.... no question!

[signes]

Fedex Ground has the best rates.

[11' AW M3]

do you guys do the cardboard on each side and wrapping with tape method?

What do you guys do with wheels with deep lips? I was thinking a foam padding on the face side, and then the cardboard on each side + tape wrapping... is this adequate?

[gixxer_kidd]

If you don't box them, what dimensions do you put in?

[HP Autosport]

You need to box them with UPS or they charge you a fee, $10 I believe. I'm not sure if you can still ship without a box with Fedex.

Usually, when shipping wheels with tires, have a piece of cardboard on the face and back side, then padding in each of the four corners of the box. You don't need padding on the face unless you are worried about something puncturing the box, in which case that would result in a claim.

-Tyler

[shamoo]

I just shipped my OEM 18's with tires mounted from NJ to SC through FedEx ground. My friend has a business so he hooked me up with his business shipping rates. I packaged it exactly like outlined above. Cardboard circles and that heavy duty shrink wrap all around.

Front wheels/tires weighed 49lbs each 25" diameter x 11" width.
Rear wheels/tires weighed 53lbs each 26" diameter x 12" width.

Cost $120 to ship thru FedEx ground with my friend's price. Not bad since it was so heavy. FedEx picked it up no problem with no box.

[signes]

I use cardboard rounds as well, two layers for the face of the wheels and one for the back. Plastic wrap then some some of those plastic bands that the shipping store can put on. Gives the drivers something to grab so they are less likely to drop the wheels. I've done it this way for many sets of wheels/tires and it is by far the best. Boxing is a disaster.

[11' AW M3]

Originally Posted by signes

I use cardboard rounds as well, two layers for the face of the wheels and one for the back. Plastic wrap then some some of those plastic bands that the shipping store can put on. Gives the drivers something to grab so they are less likely to drop the wheels. I've done it this way for many sets of wheels/tires and it is by far the best. Boxing is a disaster.

What plastic bands are you talking about? Got a pic?

I would imagine boxing them is much better- in terms of protection. I thought the only reason to do the cardboard round method is for cheaper shipping..

Also, what prevents the packaging getting punctured if you are shipping wheels with a lip? Is the double cardboard adequate?

I am about to ship a set of $10k wheels so I want to take every precaution possible...

[shamoo]

Originally Posted by 11' AW M3

I am about to ship a set of $10k wheels so I want to take every precaution possible...

Using the cardboard circles should still be good for your situation. Just put a little foam where the cardboard contacts the face of the wheel in case the surface of the cardboard causes any light scratching.

The most important part is to make sure the cardboard is secure to the wheel. I used that heavy duty shrink wrap that movers use to wrap stuff. I went around a few times and nothing is moving inside of that. After that, I even put a roll of clear packing tape around the circumference of the wheel.

Here was a quick pic from my iPhone. There's only one layer of plastic wrap here. I did another two afterwards. The blue painters tape just held the cardboard onto the wheel/tire so I could wrap it without it falling off.

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by shamoo

They looked just like that when I received them so this type of packaging holds up well.

[signes]

Originally Posted by 11' AW M3

What plastic bands are you talking about? Got a pic?

I would imagine boxing them is much better- in terms of protection. I thought the only reason to do the cardboard round method is for cheaper shipping..

Also, what prevents the packaging getting punctured if you are shipping wheels with a lip? Is the double cardboard adequate?

I am about to ship a set of $10k wheels so I want to take every precaution possible...

It is plastic/poly strapping similar to the stuff shown in the link below:

http://www.packagingsupplies.com/Cord_Strapping.html

Not essential, just some shipping places have the little "gun" to put these straps on.

Boxing really is no better and in fact finding boxes sturdy enough to handle 50+lbs of wheel and tire can be a challenge. The corners crumple easily and can break open the box. I've done plastic wrap and cardboard many times and haven't had any issues. The puncture risk you talk about is probably worse with a box because the plastic and two layers or cardboard would provide more protection and just the box layer.