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 spot & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in various circumstances where you are unable to operate the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online & need to transport it to a different state, relocating & requiring cross-country vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option.
Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services accessible to cater to your particular requirements, which we will explore below.
Varieties Of Vehicle Transport Services
When it comes to vehicle transport services, there are a few crucial choices you need to make. Initially, you must decide where you want your automobile picked up from & delivered to, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or shipping a car to a different 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 less expensive, it demands more effort on your part to get the automobile home.
Most individuals, however, favor a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or just shipping a car to a different 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 operate your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Operate Your Vehicle
Employing someone to operate your vehicle to its destination is a straightforward solution for vehicle shipping, whether you need to ship a car across the nation or to a different state. This method is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an extra automobile, & 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 nation, although less so when shipping to a nearby state. Secondly, there is a slight risk of harm to your vehicle during the drive. These concerns are particularly relevant for individuals buying or selling vehicles online who want to ensure the automobile arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone operate your automobile to its destination. 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 a great choice for moving expensive or classic automobiles 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 cheapest & most common option for transporting an automobile. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, so this may not be recommended by vehicle shipping companies for highly valuable automobiles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & 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 often 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 automobile 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 Benefits of Utilizing Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Security-Widefield
Time-Efficient - Instead of submitting a quotation inquiry each time you require a precise price for transporting your automobile, on our platform you only complete a single form & can then receive estimates based on the information supplied from various businesses. This could save you hours that would've been spent phoning companies & completing forms. Communication with these carriers is all possible via our platform as well, allowing you to store all your Security-Widefield vehicle shipping details in one location.
Cost Comparison
When it comes down to it, the price of the car transport estimate is the most significant factor in deciding which company to employ for shipping your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most are willing to provide rough approximations, you won't actually obtain a definite car transport quote without supplying information. While understandable, it does mean that price comparison & getting an estimate isn't exactly straightforward. Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire legitimate, final estimates from Security-Widefield vehicle shipping businesses & compare them all together, offering the ability to message them individually with any inquiries & ultimately select the best one for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping
Auto transporters on Shiply can usually provide their services at a lower cost than going directly. This is because they're frequently seeking to fill vacant space on trips they're already taking. For example, if you were relocating from LA to NYC & needed to transport your car there, on Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car hauler making that journey with 5 of 6 spots occupied, & they just want to utilize that last spot. As long as dates, times, & locations are suitable for you, you can save up to 75% on transport by using our service!
Environmentally Friendly
Not only is using Shiply more affordable, but it's also more eco-friendly! In the example above, if your car didn't get on that hauler & you arranged separate transport, emissions would've doubled with another entire trip just for your vehicle. Similarly, many haulers return empty-handed, wasting CO2 & money as there are people who could've utilized that space! Many transporters on Shiply aim to fill their trailers on return trips too, resulting in even less wasted emissions & continued affordable transport.
Readying Your Vehicle
If you've selected an auto transporter & feel confident using them, it's time to prepare your automobile. We suggest: Documents - Have any paperwork you may need ready for pickup/dropoff, especially if selling. Cleaning - Remove all personal belongings prior to shipping, so they don't get lost/damaged. It's also highly recommended to clean your vehicle so you can inspect its condition & notice any new damages. Running Condition - If it'll be driven during shipping/dropoff, ensure it's running with sufficient fluid, proper battery charge, & tire pressure. This also helps assess the condition upon arrival. Photos - Take high-quality pictures of all car parts. This provides evidence of its condition before shipping in case anything happens during transport.
Post-Delivery
Once the Security-Widefield vehicle shipping company completes delivery, there are some things to do: Check Vitals - Lights, brakes, engine should all be inspected immediately to ensure expected condition & promptly raise concerns if anything isn't functioning properly. Exterior - Compare exterior to pre-shipping photos to see if any new damage occurred. Rare, but shipping can occasionally cause damage, so you want to be certain. Mileage - More relevant if car was driven, but checking mileage helps ensure it matches the journey taken. We'd appreciate if you could leave a review for the auto transporter you used through Shiply so others can browse with confidence!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we've answered some commonly asked vehicle shipping questions: How much to ship a car? Prices vary drastically, but on average expect around $2.92/mile for under 200 miles, $0.93 for 200-500 miles, & $0.78 for over 1,000 miles. What's cheapest way? Having someone drive it is most affordable, but if you need a trailer then a multi-car hauler is your best economical option. How do I pay? Up to each company on Shiply, so discuss payment options with your chosen transporter before confirming. Can I track online? Depends on company, but many offer tracking, some with personal updates. Message them to confirm if tracking is possible. Does someone need to be there? Most require you present for pickup & dropoff to sign release forms & hand over keys. Can I leave items? Most are fine with some personal belongings, but remember: 1) Weight may affect cost, & 2) Items aren't covered by insurance for car itself. How much gas? Around 1/4 tank is typical - enough for easy loading/unloading without too much extra weight. Can I ship non-running? Yes, but it's more expensive as special equipment is needed for loading/unloading. Can I ship modified? Almost any vehicle can be shipped on Shiply, with hundreds of transporters available there's always someone with the right equipment.
