Passenger Trains > Auto Train Wheel/Rim Damage

On April 8 a cousin shipped his vehicle to Florida on Auto Train. There
was rim damage to all four wheels upon arrival.  I have not seen the car.
It could have low profile tires. 

Any TO members experienced wheel or tire damage to vehicles on
Auto Train? 

Have seen first hand the chocks Ford uses with new vehicles on rack cars.
The chocks do not grip wheels with teeth. Ford chocks grip the car floor
grate not the tires. Straps grip the tires.

How would wheels or rims get damaged? Is there a big gap between the ramp
and auto carrier? 
 

If the car's tire were to have too low a profile (even if the general clearance was sufficient) the rims could hit the guide rails on the carriers. Normally, the only contact with those rails are the tires, and then only rarely.  The loading drivers as very adept at getting the cars straight down the carriers.  But, with any element of the wheels/rims going below the general minimal clearance required, those rims could come in contact with the metal rail.  

I have traveled with my standard outfitted cars many times on Auto Train, and had no damage whatsoever with my wheels/rims, nor even any much scuffing of the tires. I suspect this incident was a result of non-standard equipment. 

I have traveled on the Auto-train at least 25 times in the past 2 years and never have had damage done to my car.  They take pictures of your car it is taken away to warn against any fraudulent claims. 

 

amtrakbill Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have traveled on the Auto-train at least 25
> times in the past 2 years and never have had
> damage done to my car.  They take pictures of
> your car it is taken away to warn against any
> fraudulent claims. 
>
>  
Similar experience here, with several different cars.

However, Amtrak declined to take my sister's souped up Corvette on account of clearance issues

Checking with my cousin this car is: BMW X4 Competition.
Whoa!  Definitely non standard equipment.  No worries.

Called the dealer who recommended a scratch remover which worked.
No claim to Amtrak

We do typically 2 round trips per year, never heard of wheel damage.  And yes they do inspect and photo the car before loading but is is strictly up to YOU Mr. Car Owner to do an arrival inspection before driving off!
 

How much do it cost to ship your vehicle on auto train. I live out west, we don't have an auto train, but amtrak did entertain the idea of a Seattle to Los Angeles auto train about a decade ago.

Posted from Android

Proud Foamer
OAKLEY, CA

Standard size vehicles ship for $208.00.

Posted from Android

if you have low profile wheels don't use auto train i would think