Yes, you can do better on shipping. I am assuming that you're dropping the freight off at Craters & Freighters. With that in mind: Call Craters back, and have them quote you JUST on the packaging. Have them do the packing. . . they do good work. Pick the unit back up from them (They will more than likely put it into a large box, banded to a skid.) Take the unit to Forward Air in Des Plaines, and have them send it to Austin, hold for pickup. (They can also deliver it in Austin, but that of course is extra.) You can obtain a rate quote from them by calling their 800 number. See their website at: http://www.ForwardAir.com Forward Air will not accept unboxed or improperly packaged items. Based on the dimensions you provided, 48" x 30" x 42", I would GUESS that, packaged, you're looking at about 54" x 36" x 48" or so. . . That will give you a CHARGEABLE weight of about 375 lbs. . . Forward Air would charge about $207 total, to move it from Chicago to Austin. (Again, that is only from their dock, to their dock in Austin.) Although ForwardAir has relatively few problems with larger, properly packaged items, I would still insure it. As info. . . . T