How To Ship A Small Vehicle Versus A Large Vehicle

You are moving across the country, going south for the season, or attending your favorite car show, and you have decided that shipping your car is the best option. Car shipping is a smart choice. It can help you save time, money, and energy. You can save hundreds, if not thousands of miles on your vehicle's wear and tear. After you have made the decision to ship your vehicle it is time to plan the shipping process. It all depends on where you are going, from where, and what type of vehicle you are shipping. We will be focusing on the latter in this guide.

The majority of consumers own one of the following types of vehicles: cars or SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks. Although the shipping process for all of these vehicles is similar, it's not the same. We will be covering the key differences among all types of vehicles. Learn how to ship your vehicle today with Move Car Auto Transport!

Shipping Preparation For Cars, SUVs, Vans, and Pickup Trucks

Preparing a vehicle for shipping is one of the most important aspects. This step is fairly straightforward for all vehicles. Here are the steps.

• Clean your vehicle. Although it may seem counterintuitive to clean your vehicle before a long trip, it is one of the most crucial steps in the shipping process. Even for the down-and-dirty pickup trucks that are used on the job site. It's much easier to spot any defects or damage in your vehicle before you ship it. Take pictures of your vehicle after cleaning it. This will allow you to assess any damage that occurred during shipping.
• Take all your items out of your vehicle before you ship them. This will help you keep track of all your possessions and reduce your fuel consumption. Pickup truck drivers, this includes all items in the truck bed.
• You can give your driver any information about your vehicle. Some cars can be very sensitive when shifting gears. Some cars have sensitive pedals. Some make loud sounds that can be alarming for others, but not their owners. There are many vehicle quirks. It is important that you mention any quirks in your vehicle to your car shipping company.
• Charge your battery, and make sure your tank is full. Your car shipping company might charge extra fees if your car stops working during car shipping. It takes time to arrange cars on a trailer if one doesn't move by itself. You can avoid this by leaving your tank quarter empty and charging your battery before you ship your car.
• Make sure you have the correct antifreeze levels. Antifreeze is required for vehicles, including SUVs, pickup trucks, that are subject to freezing temperatures and extra hot temperatures. We recommend adding antifreeze to your vehicle before shipping it, regardless of the season.

Shipping cost: Size Matters

What does the size of your car have to do with car shipping It's quite a bit.

Let's start with the largest component of size, weight. Car shipping is influenced by the vehicle's weight. This affects the efficiency of both the trailer and freight truck to which it is attached. A freight truck that has to carry more weight will need to work harder and consume more gasoline. It is more likely to wear down and use more gasoline. Shipping costs are more expensive and this is passed onto you. You will have to pay more to ship a pickup truck that is heavier.

What is the line of demarcation regarding vehicle weight? Car transporters are generally concerned about vehicles weighing around 5,000 lbs. You will be required to pay more for the vehicle's transportation. There is a ladder system that compensates for the weight of the vehicle. So a 6,000 lb vehicle will likely cost more to transport than a 5,000lb. vehicle. So on. Also, the auto transporter is very aware of the weight restrictions he must adhere to on the highway. He must not exceed his maximum weight.

We can see the same principle applies to the length component. Shipping pick-up trucks that take up more space is often more expensive. This is again a matter of resources. The trailers for freight trucks have a limit on space. If a pickup truck takes one-and-a-half car spaces, it means that there is one less car that can fit onto the trailer. This means that the car transport company and the shipping broker will have fewer customers and lower earnings. Most car shipping companies will add an additional charge to customers whose vehicles take up large amounts of space.

So where is the line for the length of the vehicle? It is a general rule, but there are exceptions. Vehicle shippers are most concerned about vehicles over 200 inches in length, and they require greater compensation for hauling them. An average sedan, such as a Ford Mustang or Honda Accord, will measure between 188 and 194 inches. Ten of these vehicles can be comfortably carried by a long-haul carrier. To balance his load, a longer vehicle may be needed. He may have to charge more for a shorter vehicle if he can't find one.

Want to find out how much it will cost to ship your vehicle overseas? It depends on who you are working with, where you are leaving from and what vehicle you have. A highly-respected shipping company can provide a free estimate to help you make a decision and get an accurate answer. Move Car Auto Transport can quickly tell you the cost of shipping your pickup truck. To get started, use our Online Estimator.

Shipping Type: Covered or Uncovered

You have two options when you ship your vehicle to a professional auto transport company: covered shipping or uncovered shipping. It is important to mention that not all companies offer both. You should verify that the services offered by a company you are satisfied with are available to you. This will simplify your decision-making process. Move Car Auto Transport is proud to offer both covered and uncovered shipping options for cars and SUVs as well as pickup trucks and vans.

What is uncovered shipping and what is covered shipping? And what are the main differences between them? These are easy questions to answer. Uncovered shipping refers to a trailer that does not have walls or a roof. The trailer is used to transport vehicles. They are secured inside the trailer, but the vehicle is exposed on all sides to traffic. You've probably seen a trailer with a few cars parked on the highway. Uncovered shipping is the most popular option. It is both more space-efficient and cheaper for truck drivers.

Covered shipping is another option. This involves a covered trailer that has walls and a roof. While this provides greater protection for shipped vehicles but requires more space and is less efficient, it offers some advantages. Covered shipping is, therefore, more expensive than unprotected shipping.

Are you unsure which one to choose? If you don't have a very valuable or collectible car, uncovered shipping will work fine. It's possible for your car to get a little dusty at the end of the trip, but that's not something you can't wash up with a quick washing machine. If you are a truck owner, it is normal to get some mud on your truck bed and tires. Uncovered car transport is less likely to cause serious damage since the freight truck acts as a shield against potential hazards and the towed vehicles. In the unlikely event of damages, both the vehicle owner as well as the car transport company will cover them fully. Uncovered shipping is a great way to save money and have more flexibility in shipping. 97% of car shipments are open transport or uncovered. For extra protection, those who can afford it should opt for covered shipping.

Get More Information and Send Your Vehicle, SUV, Van, or Pickup Truck to Our Team

Learn more about shipping your vehicle. Do you need help getting your vehicle ready for shipping? Move Car Auto Transport can help you prepare your vehicle for shipping. For a variety of resources regarding car shipping, visit our Blog or FAQ pages. Contact our team directly if you have any questions. Are you ready to ship your car or SUV, van, pickup truck, or pick-up truck? You are in the right spot. To learn more about why shipping with us is the best choice for your vehicle, visit our Why US? page. You can also use our online quote calculator to get started on the shipping process.