There are many cases where you may need to transport an automobile. Perhaps you are purchasing a vehicle from an online marketplace. Maybe you are moving and you don't want to put those extra miles on your new car. No matter what the reason is, you will find that reliable auto transport is the simplest way to transport your vehicle from one place to another.
What is it?
Auto transport is not a new concept, but it has not always been available to the general public. Before modern days, vehicle shipping was something that only dealerships could do. The Internet has changed the way we shop for and purchase everything, including vehicles, so it was important for this niche market to be filled. Today, there are many different transport companies that can fill your needs.
How it works.
Shipping something as large as a car, truck, or van may seem overwhelming. Shipping something small only requires that you put an address on in and wrap it up. The carrier will ensure that it is delivered to its destination in a specified time frame. Automobile transport is no different. You will prepare your vehicle for transport, and then a carrier will pick it up at a specified location. The vehicle will be transported to its destination where it will be delivered within a promised time frame.
Costs
Shipping a large vehicle will always cost more than something you can ship in a box. You should always shop around when you need an auto transport service. Remember, most auto transport companies charge based on the weight of the shipment, so do everything that you can to limit the weight of the item that you are shipping. There are a few different ways to do this, but the easiest way is to make sure the gas tank is as low as possible.
What to Remember
As you can see, shipping a vehicle is simple, but there are still a few things that you should remember. A car is a huge investment, so you need to verify that you have enough insurance coverage in case of a total loss. While you may have to pay special fees for in transit coverage, it will be worth it when you find out that your car was damaged while it was being transported.
Truck Types
Auto transport is carried out by one of two types of trucks: tractor trailers or hotshots. A hotshot is a small truck similar to a pickup.
Because hotshots are small they transport only one vehicle at a time. This means they are available faster because the shipper doesn't have to find other customers to fill the empty slots. On the other hand, that means all costs of operation are shouldered by the one vehicle being transported so they are more expensive. Their small size means residential street navigation is easy and they deliver your car right to your door.
Tractor trailers transport anywhere from three to twelve vehicles at a time depending on the size of the attached trailer. The more cars, the cheaper the transport fee because costs of operation are spread among several customers. To be economical, the trucks need to run as near to capacity as possible. That means the auto transport company needs a significant lead time between a customer's call and the shipping date so that they can find several vehicles headed in the same direction.
Another downside to tractor trailers is that they may not be able to travel in some residential areas because of the tight streets. You may need to meet the vehicle at a nearby parking lot to pick up your car rather than having it delivered to your door.
Trailer Types
The first decision about trailers is single-vehicle vs. multiple-vehicle. This decision isn't made by the customer but rather dictated by the truck. Hotshots have single trailers; semis have multiple.
There can be cases where a semi transports a single vehicle, such as a vehicle won't fit on a typical trailer due to size, modifications, or other characteristics. In this case it has to be shipped on a flatbed along with whatever other cargo the driver picks up. This is one of the more expensive ways to ship but may be necessary depending in your vehicle.
When shipping on a multiple vehicle trailer, there is a lot of debate about whether it is better to request a position on the upper deck or the lower deck. Cars on the upper deck are more exposed to the environment while the lower deck may get oil or other fluids dripping from above. In the end, it seems to be about the same.
Another option is a closed trailer. Most car shipping is done in open trailers, leaving the vehicle exposed to the elements. This is fine for most cars but if you have an expensive or collectable vehicle, it might be worth the extra expense of a covered trailer.
Both Jennifer Strong & Christine Harrell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jennifer Strong has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Trucks and Movers. Looking for companies in your area? Visit our website for all the information on. Jennifer Strong's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
Christine Harrell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mortgage, Careers and Job Hunting and Personal Desktop. Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on , visit. Christine Harrell's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.