The Auto Part Shipping Standard
For auto shops and salvage yards, shipping a transmission is a daily task that carries significant risk if not handled correctly. Transmissions are heavy, oily, and mechanically sensitive. In the world of LTL, they are typically classified under the same NMFC umbrella as engines, often defaulting to Freight Class 85 when palletized. However, the final price is determined by your pallet's dimensions and weight—meaning a bulky pallet can easily push you into a more expensive class.
Mandatory: Drain Fluids
Carriers will reject any transmission that is leaking. You must drain all transmission fluid and torque converters before shipping. Failure to do so can result in "hazardous cleanup" fees of $250+.
Banding & Securing
Use heavy-duty steel or plastic banding to secure the transmission to a standard 48x40 pallet. A "loose" transmission is a safety hazard and a guaranteed reason for a re-weigh and re-classification.
Why Your Pallet Size Changes the Cost
Most transmissions ship at Class 85. However, if you use an oversized pallet (e.g., 60x40) to accommodate a transmission and transfer case, your density (PCF) will drop. Carriers use automated dimensioners to measure the largest footprint of your shipment. If your PCF drops below 12, you might be bumped to Class 92.5 or Class 100, significantly increasing the shipping rate. Always use the smallest pallet possible while maintaining shipment stability.
Transmission Shipping Checklist
- Remove Accessories: Take off any external sensors or dipsticks that stick out past the pallet edge.
- Shrink Hooding: After banding, use heavy shrink-wrap to protect the unit from dust and to signal to the driver that it is a single, secured unit.
- Density Verification: Use our calculator to check if your weight/dimension combo stays within the Class 85 tier (typically >12 PCF).
Verify Your Transmission Class
Don't trigger an automatic re-bill. Enter your transmission dimensions and weight below to ensure your class matches your BOL.
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