Transporting your vehicle involves so many decisions. We can help you with anything from buying a new car to moving across the country to moving your college student’s car to a new city. I am frequently asked, “Which transportation is best? Should I use enclosed transport or open carriers? It is easy, affordable, and reliable to use open carriers. An open carrier is suitable for most everyday vehicles. The stacked car carriers you see delivering and picking up cars from your local dealer are the same ones we use nationwide when transporting yours..
A covered carrier is a little more expensive, but it is highly reliable, safe, and secure. A vehicle transported this way will be fully protected and enclosed, shielded from any outside elements (weather, dirt, or debris). In this article, I will explain why enclosed carriers are a wonderful option. We can ship anything from an expensive luxury car to a meaningful family car. Choosing the best option is easy with this one-stop guide.
Article Overview
- Luxury Car Transport
- A motorcycle or a smaller car
- Classic Vehicles
- Lowered Vehicles
- Damaged Vehicles
- Items in vehicles
- Enclosed transport not possible for some vehicles
- Author’s Insights
Luxury Car Transport
Lamborghinis and Bentleys are some of the most valuable vehicles. Custom-made items have a higher value and are often irreplaceable. This leads to customer preference for enclosed shipping. Keeping your paint protected from the elements is crucial. Also, some luxury vehicles are too low for an open carrier, so they need a lift gate. Only enclosed transports provide this service.
Luxury car owners may also not want multiple vehicles loaded into their vehicle. Enclosed auto shipping transports only one to six vehicles at a time (typically not stacked and typically on one tier), as opposed to open transport. Choosing a luxury auto transport service means selecting one that vets their carriers and only uses top-rated carriers that are known for quality (like Trends Auto Ship LLC).
Luxury cars deserve the best care. Let your precious car travel in regal style during its autotransport. Invest in it.
Smaller cars or motorcycles
Certain vehicles, such as motorcycles, ATVs, mopeds, and Smart Cars, are not suitable for secure storage in open carriers. You can use flatbed trailers or enclosed carriers. This rule applies to all. You will often be required by transport companies to place your motorcycle on an open carrier. Making your vehicle more vulnerable to damage during shipping.
Many motorcycle owners prefer to have their vehicle crated, while others prefer it to be strapped down in an enclosed truck. Before transporting your bike, you must follow special instructions. You can find a detailed explanation of how to prepare your motorcycle for shipping on our website, trendsautoship.com:
As a result, we will never require you to disconnect the battery or empty the gas tank before delivering your bike. Unless you’re shipping your motorcycle a short distance, you should drain its fuel tank; motorcycle shipping services generally recommend a quarter tank. It is important in this regard to make sure the tour packs and saddlebags are closed tightly and to take off any personal property (e.g., the helmet) from the motorcycle.
You can store your personal items in the tour packs, saddlebags, or trunks. For the sake of preventing potential dents or scratches, make sure no extra parts are left outside the motorcycle. Make sure you ship your keys (or spares) or tie them to the handlebars. When you’ve marked down any important items on your motorcycle, make sure to clean it thoroughly, write down any mechanical problems, take pictures of the vehicle from a variety of angles, take notes on any damage to make certain it’s documented, and remember to date any photographs or notes you take.
Remove all loose items from your motorcycle, as the shipper’s insurance may not cover them. You should let your carrier know ahead of time if your motorcycle has mechanical difficulties or other reasons why they can’t drive it on or off the transport truck. Although motorcycle shipping services are usually less expensive than vehicle shipping services, sometimes they can be more costly, especially if you’re shipping across the country.
To save some time and money, ensure that you follow all steps necessary to prepare your motorcycle and understand how it is insured. Trends Auto Ship LLC can ship any vehicle! Getting a free, no-obligation quote for shipping your vehicle is as easy as filling out our free quote form. Feel free to contact us toll-free any time. When you’re ready, they can answer questions, provide a free quote, and even book your reservation.”
An open carrier may not be able to accommodate smaller cars because of their wheelbases. A strap can be used to prevent it from moving, causing damage during transport, if it’s transported in an enclosed carrier.
Classic Vehicles
In the same way that luxury cars are expensive, classic cars are irreplaceable and can be extremely expensive. Classic cars often need extra care during transport to avoid damage. The owner of a vehicle who will be transported to a car show typically wants it to arrive clean and ready to display.
In this industry, the passing down of vintage cars from generation to generation underscores the importance of proper care. Furthermore, open transport makes it impossible to ship spare parts. A few carriers will offer enclosed service at an additional charge.
The enclosed car shipping method ensures that vintage car owners’ prized possessions arrive in pristine condition, offering elegance and peace of mind.
A lower-priced vehicle
There are WRXs, Civics, and Corvettes that come lowered to the ground every week. An open carrier requires a minimum of 4 inches of ground clearance. Lift gates are required for anything below 4 inches, and the truck must be enclosed. Drivers specialize in handling these types of vehicles as well. Owners don’t want damage to their bumpers or undercarriage. Informing auto transporters about the customer’s lowered vehicle is crucial. Carriers may not be equipped to complete the job, wasting your time and theirs.
For vehicle shipments, if you’d prefer to have an open carrier, you can always have it reversed for your vehicle if it’s lowered.
Damaged Vehicles
A vehicle from an auction could sustain damage. After an accident, you might need to ship your vehicle to a body shop. If you have loose pieces, bumpers coming off, mirrors hanging, etc., an enclosed truck is definitely necessary when shipping your car. Tell your transport specialist if your car is inoperable as well. It is important to be aware that not all carriers are equipped with a wench and that notification is necessary in advance.
If you must load your damaged vehicle with a forklift, you cannot ship it enclosed due to its inability to roll, brake, or steer. You can only ship this type of car on a flatbed carrier. Forklifts are usually used for loading at auctions, but you will need to provide your own forklift for delivery.
Items in Vehicles
Most open carriers allow you to carry only 100 pounds of household goods. You can only see the items in cargo areas and trunks. You cannot carry anything above the window line. Having an enclosed transport vehicle allows you to carry more items. There is no guarantee that every carrier will pick up your package.
As with enclosed transport, this option will cost more due to the weight of your items in your vehicle. Shipping household goods and items always involves some risk. The carrier neither insures nor licenses these items for shipping. To ship items in your vehicle, speak to your transport specialist.
For some vehicles, enclosed transport is not possible.
This is a short and simple message. Enclosed carriers cannot carry vehicles with a height over 7 feet and a width over 82 inches. Open or enclosed vehicles cannot roll, brake, or steer. Ford Raptor models and Ram TRX models are too wide to fit in enclosed carriers. Again, discuss your vehicle in detail with your transport specialist. You will be able to find out if it is even eligible to be transported enclosed.
The Author’s Insights
Do your research if you want to ship a vehicle enclosed. Your best bet is to go with a transport company with a long history. An experienced enclosed carrier shipping specialist is the best person to ensure your car will be shipped quickly, easily, and efficiently. In addition to the higher price, enclosed carriers also have additional costs. It takes more time and attention to detail to prepare a car for shipping. Having an exotic, luxury, or antique vehicle transported enclosed is the best option for you.
