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 another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is an option, where designated collection & drop-off points are utilized, often at the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases. While this alternative is typically less expensive, 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 just shipping a car to another 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 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 Vehicle
Hiring 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 another state. This approach is often less expensive as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, & it can be quicker due to its simplicity.
However, there are some drawbacks to this approach that lead some people 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 people buying or selling cars online who want to ensure the vehicle arrives in the same condition as advertised.
Put Your Vehicle On A Trailer
Placing your automobile on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it 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 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 least expensive & most 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, so this may not be recommended 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 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 Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Harrisburg
When it comes to vehicle transport in Harrisburg, Shiply provides several advantages that make it the perfect option for anyone seeking to move their automobile. One of the most significant benefits of utilizing Shiply is the time-saving factor. Rather than completing numerous quotation forms from various businesses, you only need to fill out one form on our platform & receive estimates from multiple vehicle transport providers based on the information you supply. This can save you hours of time that you would have spent reaching out to companies & completing forms.
Furthermore, all communication with these Harrisburg vehicle transport businesses can be conducted through our platform, enabling you to maintain all your vehicle shipping details in one convenient location.
Effortless Price Comparison
When it comes to selecting a vehicle transport company, the price of the estimate is often the most important consideration. However, obtaining solid vehicle shipping quotes can be difficult, as most businesses require you to provide comprehensive information before giving you a final cost. While this is understandable, it makes price comparison & getting a vehicle transport quote a challenging task.
Shiply streamlines this process by allowing you to receive authentic, final price estimates from vehicle transport companies & compare them in one place. You can also message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately choose the best company for your needs.
Cost-Effective Vehicle Transport Solutions
Auto shipping companies on Shiply often provide their services at a lower price compared to going directly to them. This is because they are frequently seeking to fill space on trips they are already making, having already incurred the expense. For example, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle, a company on Shiply may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations work for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto shipping by using our service.
Environmentally-Friendly Vehicle Transport
Using Shiply for auto shipping is not only more affordable but also more eco-friendly. In the example mentioned above, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & you arranged transport from a separate vehicle shipper, the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your automobile.
Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is expensive for them & the environment, as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction. Many auto transporters on Shiply aim to fill their trailers on return trips, resulting in less wasted CO2 being released into the atmosphere & continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying Your Vehicle for Transport
Once you've selected an auto transport company to move your vehicle & feel confident using their services, it's time to prepare your automobile for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents - Ensure that any necessary paperwork is available at pick-up or drop-off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning - Remove all personal belongings from your vehicle before shipping to avoid the risk of them getting lost or damaged in transit. It's also highly recommended to clean your vehicle before transport, as this will allow you to assess 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, ensure that it is in running condition. This means checking fluid levels, battery charge, & tire pressure. This can also help you better judge the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Evidence - Before the vehicle delivery service picks up your automobile, take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car. This provides you with evidence of the car's condition before shipping, should anything happen to it during transport.
Post-Delivery Steps
After the vehicle shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Check Vital Signs - Immediately check lights, brakes, & engines to ensure that the vehicle is in the expected condition & to enable you to promptly raise concerns with the vehicle delivery service if anything is not working as it should.
Exterior Condition - Compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken before shipping to determine whether any additional damage has occurred. While rare, shipping a vehicle can sometimes 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 automobile is driven to the destination, but checking the mileage can help ensure that it matches the journey taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply, allowing others to browse vehicle shipping services with the same peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have answered some of the most common questions about vehicle shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a vehicle? Vehicle shipping prices can vary significantly depending on the circumstances, but on average, a journey should cost around $2.92 per mile for distances less than 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 & 500 miles, & $0.78 for trips over 1,000 miles.
What is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle? Having someone drive your automobile to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a vehicle. However, if you require a trailer, a multi-car transporter will be your best option for the most affordable way to ship a vehicle.
How do I pay for my auto transport? Payment methods vary among individual auto transport companies on Shiply. It's essential to discuss payment options with your chosen vehicle delivery service before confirming the delivery. Most companies offer flexible payment options.
Can I track my vehicle transport online? Each vehicle shipping company on Shiply has different operating procedures, but many offer the ability to track your vehicle shipment, with some even providing personal updates. If you require tracking, message individual vehicle transport companies to confirm if this is possible with them.
Is it necessary for someone to be present for pickup & delivery? In most cases, the vehicle shipping company will require you to be present for the pickup & delivery of the automobile. This is because there are likely release forms that you need to sign & you'll need to hand over the vehicle keys.
Can I keep personal items in my vehicle during vehicle shipment? Most vehicle transport companies allow you to keep some personal items in the automobile during transport. However, keep in mind that the weight of the items may affect the price of the vehicle shipment, & any items in the automobile 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, aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading & unloading of the automobile without adding too much extra weight.
Can I ship my vehicle if it isn't running? You can ship your automobile even if it isn't in running condition, but 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 automobile can be shipped on Shiply. With hundreds of transport providers available to bid on your job, there will always be someone equipped to safely carry out the task.
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