Help with NON-enclosed auto transport of “high quality”

My usual move is to use an enclosed auto transport of “high quality” – by that term, I mean that the car I am transporting stays with the same driver and on the same truck for the entire journey – in other words, NO changing from driver to driver, or truck to truck, or sitting in some lot or depot awaiting the next step. For this, I’ve used companies like Intercity Lines (I’ve talked with their drivers and some of them and are mature husband and wife teams and the car stays with them the whole time) or one man operations.

Here’s the rub: this time, I’m looking to move an “oversize” vehicle – while it’s only as lifted Wrangler, enclosed transport companies charge for 2 spots on the truck (top and bottom) and, yes, this doculbes my cost – hence my desire to use NON-enclosed transport for this Wrangler. The move is about as far as it gets: Seattle to Philly.

Does anyone in the hive have a specific firm to recommend? I do NOT want to start a cold call internet search, as this pushes me towards brokers who know little, promise everything, and, ultimately, are accountable for nothing.

Thanks!

How far from being one car tall is it? Can you put smaller wheels and tires on it for the trip to save some money? 

In reply to Tom Suddard :

Good idea, but the Wrangler is coming to me from the seller and he doesn't have anything except the 35's (additionally, it has a 4.5" lift)

Staying with the same driver and truck on open transport is not something you can usually request. I would argue that single open hauler would actually be the cheapest and get you what you want. 

How far are we talking, Florida to California or within a few states. 

In reply to Skobie :

Have you talked directly to your favorite companies? Specifically, have you talked to them about open trailering prices.  Yes, they are famous for their closed trailers but I can't believe that they only do closed. 

If they really do just closed, they must have run into this before and know someone they can refer you to for open. 

OP here:

@ wearymicrobe: Trip is from Seattle to Philly

@ JohnWelsh: believe or not, of my 3 favorite firms, all *only* do enclosed, and none offer any suggestions re: open.

try PlyCar , they have their own enclosed trucks and maybe have a sports car to take the top spot.....

or ask the other guys if you can buy 2 spots and buy a cheap mgb  for the top "bunk" to flip when it gets back to Philly

I've contracted PlyCar to bring out my corrado, but that's obviously a different situation from you.  What I did find tho is that many of the carriers are jammed up servicing Pebble Beach/Monterey car week from now until September.  So finding someone who's even available to transport your Jeep may be more of a hassle than you expect.

Do look into the cost of tiny wheels for transport, this is how large offroad racing trucks are normally moved, but also consider that the wheels will then need to be moved somehow - they may not all fit in/on the vehicle. My Samurai could just barely hold a set of 31x10.5s.

OP here-

Plycar is all enclosed, and, like everyone else, they quote two spots.

Seattle to Philly? Pay for my plane ticket back and I'll drive it out for you.