What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by car 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 car shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are numerous car transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Auto Transport Services
When selecting an auto transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from & delivered to, whether it's a long-distance car transport or shipping a vehicle to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection & drop-off points, frequently the car transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. While this option is typically more affordable, it demands more effort on your part to get the vehicle home. However, most individuals prefer door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their automobiles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, irrespective of the distance.
Car transport services are generally categorized into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport.
Have Someone Drive Your Automobile
Employing someone to drive your automobile to its destination is a straightforward solution for car shipping, whether it's across the country or to another state. The advantages of this method include lower costs, as trailers & extra vehicles are not necessary, & quicker delivery due to the simplicity of the transport. However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some individuals to opt for other car transport options. Firstly, mileage is added to your vehicle during the journey, which can be substantial when shipping a car across the country. Secondly, there is a slight risk of damage to your automobile while it is being driven. These concerns are especially relevant for individuals buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Automobile On A Trailer
Placing your automobile in a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it to its destination. Car shipping trailers come in various options, depending on the value & size of your vehicle. You can choose between a single trailer for your automobile, which is more expensive but ideal for transporting expensive or classic cars, or a multi-car transporter that can carry several vehicles at once.
Open car shipping is the most affordable & most common option offered by car shipping companies. Your vehicle is placed on an open carrier & driven to its destination. While all automobiles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making this option less suitable for highly valuable vehicles. Additionally, long journeys in open trailers pose a higher risk of damage & prolonged exposure to the elements.
Enclosed auto transport involves securing multiple automobiles on a carrier that is enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, & debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer vehicles where the owner wants to minimize the risk of damage during transport.
If you need to move your vehicle overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or a company with experience in overseas car shipping, as they can provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
Why Utilize Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Oak Park?
Transporting your automobile can be a genuine headache, but Shiply makes it incredibly simple & conserves you loads of effort. Instead of completing quote forms for every single company, you just input your details once on our platform & receive quotes from multiple car shipping oak park businesses. This can conserve you hours that you'd have to invest phoning around & filling out forms.
All the correspondence with these businesses happens right on our website, so you can maintain everything about oak park car shipping in one handy location. No more juggling emails & phone numbers!
Compare Prices Effortlessly
Let's be honest, the price is the most significant factor when selecting a car shipper. But obtaining an actual final quote isn't simple - most businesses just provide ballpark figures until you supply all your info. With Shiply, you get legitimate final quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies immediately, so you can compare prices & message them with any inquiries.
Inexpensive Car Shipping That's Eco-Friendly
Auto transport businesses on Shiply can frequently offer lower rates than going direct, since they're aiming to fill empty spaces on trips they're already making. Say you're relocating from LA to NYC & need to ship your vehicle. A company might already have a truck heading that direction with 5 of 6 spots filled. As long as the timing & locations work for you, you could save up to 75% by taking that last spot!
But it gets better - using Shiply is also greener. In that LA to NYC example, if your automobile didn't get on that truck, a whole other trip would be required just for your vehicle, doubling the emissions. Many trucks on Shiply are also looking to fill spaces on their return trips, so even less wasted CO2. Cheap car shipping that's good for the planet? Win-win!
Prepping Your Vehicle for Shipping
Once you've selected a car shipping company, here's how to get your ride ready:
Documents - Have any paperwork you might require handy for pickup/dropoff, especially if you're selling the vehicle.
Cleaning - Take out all your personal belongings, obviously you don't want anything getting lost or damaged. Give it a thorough cleaning too so you can check the condition before shipping.
Running Condition - If it needs to be driven during shipping or after dropoff, ensure it's running properly. Top off fluids, check battery & tire pressure.
Photos - This is crucial! Take tons of pics from every angle to document the condition before shipping, just in case anything happens during transport.
After Delivery
Once your car's been delivered:
- Check all the vitals - lights, brakes, engine etc. to ensure everything's working properly. Let the shipper know right away if anything seems off.
- Inspect the exterior & compare to your pre-shipping photos to check for any new damage.
- Verify the mileage matches up with the trip if it was driven.
- Leave a review for the car shipping company on Shiply so others know what to expect!
FAQs on Car Shipping
How much to ship a car? Prices vary but typically it's around $2.92/mile for under 200 miles, $0.93 for 200-500 miles, & $0.78 for over 1,000 miles.
What's the most economical way? Having someone drive it is cheapest, but for shipping a multi-car trailer is your best affordable option.
How do I pay? Payment is between you & the car shipping company, most offer flexible options.
Can I track my shipment? Some companies offer tracking, message them to check if it's available.
Does someone need to be there for pickup/dropoff? Yep, you'll likely need to be present to sign paperwork & hand off keys.
Can I leave stuff in my car? Usually some personal items are ok, but they aren't covered by insurance & extra weight may cost more.
How much gas for shipping? Around a 1/4 tank is recommended - enough to load/unload easily without too much extra weight.
Can I ship if it's not running? Yes, but it'll cost more since special equipment is needed to load/unload.
Can I ship modded vehicles? Yep, with all the companies on Shiply there's someone who can handle any type of custom or modded ride.
