Steps To Stress Free Classic Car Transport
How to prepare your vehicle for car transport
The value of your vintage vehicle is like that of fine wine. This means that booking and preparing for classic cars transport can be stressful. The best way to ease the stress of transporting your classic car is to be aware of what you must do in advance to make sure your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and without any damage.
The good news is that only a small percentage of cars transported by auto transport companies are damaged. Your vintage car will likely arrive at its destination in perfect condition. You can protect your investment even further by carefully choosing your auto transport company and preparing your car for the journey.
These are the 10 steps to take to ensure safe and secure classic car transport.
Search for a specialist in classic car transport
Do not trust any company to transport your antique car. It is possible for vintage vehicles to require special handling. Therefore, it is a good idea to hire a company that has experience with classic car transport or has lots of experience in working with antique cars. Finding a professional, high-quality company to work for is the first step. These are the qualities that you should look for in a transport service.
Experience: Look for companies with a lot of experience in transporting vintage cars. They will be able to explain the intricacies of classic car handling.
Trustworthiness - Search for car transport companies that employ vetted car carriers/truckers with experience in classic cars.
Reliability Search for companies that have a history of positive reviews by customers who received their vehicles on time and safely.
Customer Service: Find companies that will support the owners at every stage of the shipping process from booking to unloading.
Value Look for the best deal but don't choose blindly the cheapest company. If things don't go according to plan, saving a few dollars now could end up costing you a lot later.
Check your insurance and verify the transporter's insurance
As mentioned, vehicles rarely get damaged in transport. It is important to ensure that your vintage vehicle has insurance. Ask for a paper copy of your transport service's insurance information. They will walk you through the details of what is and what isn't covered under the policy. To get additional assurance, contact your insurer.
Next, contact your insurance company to ensure that your vehicle is covered for the journey. Although you can be assured that nothing will occur during transport, it is still a comfort to know that you are covered. Some policies don't cover classic cars transport. However, the insurer might be able temporarily to add it if the documentation is from the company.
Select your transport options
Open trailers are used to transport most cars, new and old. Although this method is most cost-effective, it can be dangerous in extreme weather conditions and on roads that are not well maintained. Your classic vehicle will be exposed to the elements, road debris, people, and other vehicles' tires. Open trucks are generally in the same condition as when they left, so most vehicles arrive in the same state they left.
An enclosed trailer protects your car from any damage during transport. White glove service is a more expensive option, but it can provide a lot of security when shipping a classic car.
When looking at your options, another thing to consider is whether your vehicle still runs. It is important to let your transport company know if your vehicle has any mechanical or electrical problems. They may also need a winch for loading it onto the trailer. A majority of companies that specialize in classic car transportation will have a winch on hand. You might want to think twice about hiring a company to load and unload your car with a forklift. These can cause serious damage to delicate vintage cars.
Clean and inspect your car thoroughly
When you have the shipping date in mind, it is time to wash your car before the day arrives. It's not about cleaning your car before shipping. The first step to inspecting your car is washing it. After your vehicle is clean, inspect it for any dents, scratches, or discoloration.
Keep a list of any damage that has been done. These photos can be used to mark any pre-existing scratches or dents. Before you sign the Bill of Lading, make sure to mark it on the Bill of Lading. You and your transport company will be able to consult your records if there are any new scratches or dents on your vehicle when it is delivered.
Take all your valuables out of your vehicle
The best classic car transport company will protect your vehicle and everything within it. You should still remove any add-ons such as parking passes, toll devices, and removable emblems.
You also have another advantage by removing personal and valuable items from your vehicle. It reduces the vehicle's weight and prevents any damage during transport.
Remove or secure all loose and mobile parts
You don't want loose parts to cause damage or loss to your classic car's exterior or interior. For convertibles that will be transported on open trailers, make sure that the top is secure. This will protect the interior of your vehicle from weather damage as well as ensure that it doesn't get damaged in transit.
Have your mechanic do a maintenance check
You can skip this step if your car is not able to be driven but you should mention it at the time of booking. A mechanic should inspect vintage vehicles in good driving condition before shipping. Checking all fluids and checking the battery are some of the tasks. Also, report any electrical or mechanical problems that may affect your vehicle's ability to load onto the trailer.
Empty the gas tank
At the time of shipping, your car's fuel tank should be at least 1/4 full. A full tank of gasoline is not only dangerous, but it can also cause your car to weigh more, which could impact the fuel efficiency of your carrier. Although you may be tempted to fill up the tank before you transport your classic car, it will not be enough to fill you up to the required level to transport your vehicle to your destination.
An extra set of keys has been added
Your trucker shouldn't be given your only set of keys. The keys for loading and unloading your classic car will be required by the trucker. It's best to give copies to ensure that if something happens, you have spare keys.
Get all the information you need to conduct a follow-up inspection
Before your vintage vehicle arrives at its destination you or a trusted associate should inspect it thoroughly before signing the Bill of Lading. It is crucial that you inspect your vehicle before you sign the Bill of Lading. This will allow you to identify any damage or changes in the car's condition.
Although it may seem like a lot of steps to prepare your classic vehicle for transport, each item on your preship to-do list is meant to make you feel confident about handing over your car to another person. You can also reduce the chance of your car getting damaged on the way by taking the time to vet classic car transport companies as well as to prepare your vehicle.
Move Car Auto Transport transports more than 200 vehicles per day, including many vintage cars. No matter if you prefer enclosed or open transport, we can safely ship your vintage beauty for the most affordable price.