Auto Shipping Tips

While picking an auto shipper, here are some auto shipping tips:

1. What is my budget?

2. How important to me a closed carrier versus an open one?

3. How flexible is the delivery date?

4. Is the vehicle in good running order?

Open carriers typically less expensive, but expose your vehicle to the elements.

Multi carriers are less expensive that single carriers, but often stop and pick up/drop off other vehicles en route, making it important to establish the flexibility of your delivery date. Although, your vehicle is on the transporter, it still must be loaded on and off. If it is not in a running condition, you need to alert the carrier before signing the contract.

Investing a little time and effort before your vehicle is loaded on the transport can minimalize problems during shipping, and reduce hassles at delivery:

1. Remove any valuables from inside of the car:radios, cassette decks and CD players that are not built in, as well as car phones, garage door opener.

2. Wash the exterior to identify more easily any scratches or dents. A dirty vehicle decreases the ability to perform a quality inspection.

3. Remove any aftermarket accessories: bike racks, roof rack.

4. Disconnect, disable the car alarm. If this is not possible, provide the driver with detailed instructions on how to deactivate it.

5. Note any fluid leaks and before loading, notify the driver if any exists.

6. The gas tank must have a minimum of ¼ tank of fuel, but no more than ½ tank of fuel.

7. Advise us of any modifications made to your vehicle such as 4×4 lift kit, camper shell, lower vehicle..etc…

8. Your vehicle may not exceed 7’ in height, and must have a minimum of 5” ground clearance to safely load and unload it.

9. Driver side door and window must work properly.

10. Your vehicle must have working brakes. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, it also must have a working emergency brake.

11. One set of ALL keys for the vehicle must be provided.

12. Please provide a working phone number where you may be reached throughout the duration of your vehicle relocation.

 

Time in Transit

The time that your car is in the transit will be dependent on number of factors: origin and destination, time of the year, and the number of stops what your actual truck has to make before reaches your drop off location.

The following are common time frames for shipping between different parts of the country.

East Coast to West Coast:       5-15 days

Midwest to East Coast:            3- 8 days

Midwest to West Coast:           3- 8 days

South to the North:                  3- 8 days

 

These are just a few auto shipping tips to consider while planning. If you have any specific questions regarding our auto shipping tips, please get in touch.