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 operating the vehicle yourself is not practical, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online, relocating to a new residence, or moving your automobile overseas. Vehicle shipping services provide a practical solution for people who need to transfer their cars across states or even nations.
There are numerous types of car transport services available to accommodate different requirements and preferences. Whether you need nationwide vehicle shipping, transporting a car to another state, or even global automobile transportation, vehicle shipping companies can fulfill your needs. It's crucial to comprehend the various options available to make a well-informed choice when selecting a vehicle shipping service.
Varieties Of Car Transport Services
When it comes to car transport services, there are two primary options: terminal-to-terminal delivery and door-to-door delivery. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery involves designated collection and drop-off points, typically at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this option is often more economical, it requires additional effort on your part to get the automobile to and from the terminals. Conversely, door-to-door car transport is the most popular choice, as it offers the convenience of having your vehicle picked up and dropped off right at your doorstep, regardless of the distance involved.
Another decision you'll need to make is whether you want someone to operate your automobile to its destination or have it transported on a trailer. Hiring someone to drive your car can be a straightforward and cost-effective solution, especially for shorter distances. However, this method adds mileage to your vehicle and carries a slight risk of damage during the journey, which may be a concern for those buying or selling automobiles online.
Transporting your automobile on a trailer offers a higher level of safety and protection compared to having someone operate it. Vehicle shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value and size of your automobile. Single car trailers, while more expensive, are ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, minimizing the risk of damage. For the utmost protection, shipping containers are the safest option, albeit the most costly.
Multi-car transporters are a popular choice for shipping vehicles, as they can accommodate multiple automobiles at once. Open car shipping is the most common and affordable option, where your vehicle is securely placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. However, the cars are exposed to the elements during transit, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles, especially over long distances.
Enclosed auto transport offers an additional layer of protection, as the automobiles are secured on a carrier and enclosed, shielding them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for newer or more expensive vehicles, where minimizing the risk of damage is a priority.
For those needing to move their vehicles overseas, specialized car shipping services with experience in international vehicle transportation can provide tailored advice and assistance. These companies are well-versed in the complexities of global shipping and can ensure a smooth and efficient process.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Nampa
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain quotes based on the information you submit from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have spent phoning businesses and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all your vehicle transport Nampa details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle transport quote is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto shipping company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenge is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without supplying information & filling in details. Although this is reasonable, it means that cost comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost quotes from vehicle transport companies & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to inquire about any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Transport - Auto shipping businesses on Shiply can typically provide their services at a lower cost than if you contacted them directly. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to transport your vehicle there, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that trip with 5 of the 6 spots occupied, & they are simply looking to ensure they aren't wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto shipping by utilizing our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be required just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have utilized that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are also looking to fill their trailers on return trips, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Transport
If you have chosen an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Documents - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - You should take care to remove all personal belongings 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 is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to determine its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Running Condition - If the vehicle will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location, then you should ensure that it is in running condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again, this can also help you better assess the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the vehicle delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the vehicle. This provides you with evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What to Do After Delivery
Once the vehicle shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the vehicle is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the vehicle delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior Condition - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a vehicle can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your vehicle transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage - This is more relevant to vehicle shipping services where the vehicle is driven to the destination, but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the journey taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most asked questions about vehicle shipping:
How much to ship a vehicle?
Vehicle shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average, a journey should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the journey is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the journey is between 200 & 500 miles, & if the journey is over 1,000 miles, then this drops to $0.78.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle?
Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle; however, if you need a trailer, then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the most affordable 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 vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. 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 vehicle shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates. If you require tracking, you should message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm that this is possible with them.
Does someone have to be present for pickup & delivery?
In most cases, the vehicle shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup & delivery of the vehicle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the vehicle keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my vehicle shipment?
Most vehicle transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the vehicle when it is transported. However, there are two important things to remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price of the vehicle shipment, & 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the vehicle itself.
How much gas should I have in my vehicle during transit?
Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading & unloading of the vehicle but will not add too much extra weight to the vehicle.
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 the vehicle.
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 on your job. There will always be someone that is up for the job & has the right equipment to safely carry it out. Whether you need Nampa vehicle shipping or vehicle shipping in any other location, Shiply has you covered.
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