What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to another state, relocating & requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Shipping Services
When it comes to vehicle shipping services, there are several crucial decisions you need to make. Firstly, you must decide where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to a neighboring state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, frequently at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or simply shipping a car to a nearby state. This option is more convenient as it eliminates the need to collect your automobile from a separate location, which can be challenging without your vehicle.
Vehicle transport services can be categorized into two main types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Vehicle
Employing someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the country or to a neighboring state. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an additional vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to choose other vehicle transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your automobile during the journey, which can be significant when shipping a car across the country, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Place Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Utilizing a trailer to transport your automobile is a safer option that guarantees a higher level of protection compared to having someone drive your vehicle. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your automobile.
Single trailers are often more expensive as they only transport one vehicle at a time, but they are an excellent choice for moving expensive or classic cars that you want to protect from potential damage. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, although this is the most expensive option.
Multi-car transporters, which can carry several vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
Open vehicle shipping is the most affordable & common option offered by vehicle shipping companies. Your automobile is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple vehicles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during auto transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service on our platform or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
The Incredible Advantages of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Catalina Foothills
Time-efficient - Rather than completing quote forms each and every instance you require a precise price from businesses to transport your vehicle, on our platform you simply complete one form & then receive quotes based on the information you supply from various companies. This can spare you hours you would've spent phoning companies and filling out forms.
Communication with these businesses is all feasible through our platform as well, implying you can maintain all your vehicle shipping catalina foothills information in one location.
Price Comparison - The Crucial Factor
When it comes down to it, the expense of the vehicle shipping quote is the most significant factor in choosing which auto transport company to utilize to ship your catalina foothills vehicle. The challenging aspect is, while most businesses provide average prices, you won't actually obtain a firm vehicle transport quote without supplying info and completing details. While this is understandable, it does mean price comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely easy.
Utilizing Shiply allows you to obtain real, final price quotes from vehicle shipping companies & compare them in one place. You can message them to inquire about any questions & ultimately decide on the best company for catalina foothills vehicle shipping.
Inexpensive Vehicle Shipping Catalina Foothills
Auto transport businesses on Shiply can typically offer their services for a lower fee than if you went direct. This is because they're often looking to fill space on journeys they're already making & have already paid for the cost. Say you were moving from LA to NY & needed to move your vehicle there. On Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they just want to ensure they're not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service!
Superior For The Environment
Not only is using Shiply for auto transport less expensive, but it's also superior for the environment. In the example above, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions would've doubled as another journey would be needed just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many car transporters return empty-handed, which is costly for them & the environment as there are people who could've used that transporter to move their vehicles the other way! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return journeys too, meaning even less wasted CO2 & continued inexpensive transport for users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Shipped
If you've decided on an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel secure using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - It's important to ensure any documents you may need are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you're selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal items from your vehicle prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It's also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to see its condition & notice any damages that may occur.
Running Condition - If the vehicle will be driven at any point or driven home from the drop-off then you should ensure it's in running condition. This means ensuring there's enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure. This can also help you better judge the condition upon arrival.
Photo Evidence - One very important thing is to take high-quality photos of all vehicle parts. This provides evidence of the condition before shipping should anything happen during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping company has completed delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engines should all be checked immediately to ensure the vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to raise concerns with the delivery service should anything not be working properly.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior to the photos taken before to see whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, rarely, cause damage, & you want to be sure your transport service hasn't done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant if the vehicle is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure it matches up with the journey taken.
We'd appreciate it if you could leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply so others can browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind!
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we've answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle? Vehicle shipping prices can vary a lot depending on the circumstances, but on average a journey should cost around $2.92 per mile if less than 200 miles, $0.93 if between 200 & 500 miles, & if over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option for the cheapest way to ship a vehicle.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply & is something you should discuss with your chosen delivery service before confirming. Most companies will be flexible with payment options, however.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, message individual companies to confirm.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the shipping company will require you to be there for the pickup & delivery. This is because there are likely release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during shipment? Most companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the vehicle when transported. However, remember: 1. The weight may affect the price, and 2. Any items won't be covered by insurance for the vehicle itself.
How much gas should I have during transit? Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter tank full. This allows for easy loading/unloading but won't add too much extra weight.
Can I ship my vehicle if it isn't running? You can ship your vehicle if it isn't in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load & unload.
Can I ship a modified vehicle? Almost any type of vehicle is able to be shipped on Shiply, with hundreds of transport providers available to bid there will always be someone with the right equipment to safely carry it out.