If you need to ship a car without driving it yourself, there are multiple transportation options available to you. Once chosen, decide between two different types of carriers; an enclosed carrier offers more protection from elements and should be preferred when shipping luxury or collector cars – but read on for more.
Open Carrier
The open carrier method (https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services) involves transporting vehicles on two-level trailers you may have seen on the highway, making this the most common car-hauling method and suitable for any type of vehicle. It’s an economical option that works well with those on tight budgets; the closed-end auto transport costs more.
Many auto transport companies provide both open and enclosed car shipping options. The primary distinction is that enclosed transportation offers more protection, but often costs more. When making this decision, it’s essential to understand which car type and delivery speed best fit your needs.
Typically, the other type of transport is recommended if your car is worth over $75,000 and brand newer models. Otherwise, open-top carriers may provide cost savings. Please be aware that expedited services may incur extra fees due to drivers having to make special accommodations for you and other special requests.
Open car carriers are an efficient, economical choice for auto shipping as they can hold up to 12 vehicles simultaneously, making scheduling deliveries and keeping costs down easier for companies. Plus, these lighter trucks use less fuel on their journey!
Open carrier shipping exposes your vehicle to elements like rain and snow as well as dirt and dust during transport; however, most auto shipping companies ensure safe transportation by securely tying down cars on open-top carriers and providing proper padding to reduce vibrations during shipping.
If your vehicle’s condition during shipping worries you, consider using white glove service instead of open carrier transport. White glove services add an extra level of professionalism that makes the entire process simpler for you and enables direct communication with drivers about its status. However, white glove services tend to cost more than open-top carriers but remain more affordable than enclosed transportation options.
Enclosed Carrier
Shipping your vehicle in this type of carrier instead of driving can be exponentially safer if you’re moving, depending on its purpose and your timeline. Most companies provide two major car transport options – open or enclosed trucking. With open transporting you leave your vehicle vulnerable to elements while enclosed transport uses an enclosed trailer that offers more security for its cargo.
Open transport services tend to be less expensive and more convenient, since more routes are available. A typical open carrier enlists seven to 10 cars at once onto two-tier open air trailers – vehicles on top tending to experience weather damage while those below may still encounter road debris or muck.
Open auto transport costs approximately half as much as enclosed options, yet its extra expense may be worth it if you want to protect your car from weather and road debris during transit. Also, enclosed carriers are recommended if your vehicle can bottom out on open carriers due to low ground clearance issues; to prevent undercarriage damage.
Enclosed carriers are ideal for moving any car, though they’re most commonly utilized to move luxury and collector cars. Almost every enclosed car transportation company offers white glove services as a premium and more individualized option, which may cost extra. Plus, their more stable ride makes long distance transportation much easier!
Carrier drivers will pay special attention to your car during transport and aim for exact pickup and delivery dates, familiarizing themselves with various makes and models of vehicle as they go. Unfortunately, enclosed carriers can only transport limited numbers at one time; as such they may only offer you fewer pick-up/drop-off dates.
Long-Distance Trucking & Final Thoughts
Long-haul trucking is a type of vehicle transport that occurs over long distances. Like its OTR counterpart, long haul trucking involves driving on highways for hours at a time – perfect for people who enjoy being on the open road! This mode of car transporting provides excellent opportunities for cheap shipping.
Depending on your timeline and schedule, driving your vehicle long-distance may be an ideal way to move. But if costs are a priority or you simply do not enjoy long road trips (perhaps having young or elderly family members along) then other methods exist for transporting it directly to its new home.
Before choosing door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal car shipping, this site advises to remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before transporting. Ensure your fuel tank is full but not excessive as vehicle transport drivers often work on tight schedules and may need to fill up their tanks quickly.
Notable factors to keep in mind when searching for car transport include the type of transport vehicle and length of time you plan to leave it with the carrier. While open carriers expose your vehicle to the elements, enclosed trucks provide some protection from debris on the road and tend to be more expensive due to specialized equipment requirements from vehicle shipping companies.
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