Car carriage by means of a truck and a trailer is the most common way of transporting cars in the United States. When you are moving to another city or state, selling a vehicle to a buyer in another state, or when you have to transport your vehicle to another city, it will be very helpful to know somethings about the industry. This guide provides a comprehensive description of each stage detailed below, to guarantee your car is transported safely and gets to destination timely.
1. Why Truck and Trailer Car Transport?
With great massive roadways and national highway networks expanded under President Eisenhower in the mid 1950s to aid rapid military mobilization and facilitate trade, Road transportation has remained the most popular means of interstate mobility over other forms of transport in the USA. Transporting your car by truck and trailer offers numerous benefits, including:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Generally in the USA, conducting car transport with the use of trucks and trailer is the most obvious solution, direct and economical, as opposed to other means such as railway, sea and air.
- Flexibility: Trucks and trailers are the versatile means to transport cars in short or long range, intrastate and interstate.
- Open vs. Enclosed Trailers: There are two types of a trailer, the open trailer which is typically more economical and enclosed trailer where space is limited and loads that require extra attention.
- Door-to-Door Service: With our great road network systems, delivery of cars on trucks can get close to destination and with proper access, sometimes door to door, making it convenient for shippers.
2. Types of Truck and Trailer Transport Services
There are various brackets of trucks and trailers depending on the category of the car being transported, and customer preference. Here are the most common options:
Open Transport
- Types of Trailers: Open transport, the most common form of trailers on the roads and there are numerous types. For vehicle transport, there are single car trailers, flat deck trailers, wedge trailers, multicar trailer and large car hauler rigs that carriers 9-11 cars at one time.
- Affordable: This is the most economical means of transport since it can move a larger number of vehicles at once, without time being a crucial factor.
- Exposure to Elements: Although, open transport is safe, understandably the vehicles may need a wash after a long trip.
Enclosed Transport
- Premium Protection: Suitable for clientele who require premium service. In enclosed trailers, vehicles are transported with protection, privacy and cleanliness.
- Higher Cost: Enclosed trailers typically transport less vehicles at a time than open trailers, have specialty or custom trailers to facilitate loading and unloading, may take more time for loading and unloading, have higher insurance coverages and should certainly have more accommodating services with good communication.
3. How to Prepare Vehicle Before it is Transported
To verify accountability and mitigate discrepancies of a smooth transport, it is important to prep the car ready for inspection. The inspection serves as a detail report during the transport and transition.
Clean Your Vehicle
- Exterior and Interior: Wash or have a clean car and document any blemishes or inconsistency prior to transport, and remove any personal belongings.
Scan and Update Status
- Take Photos: Have high quality pictures of the car from various angles.
Check Vehicle
Fluid Levels: Be sure the oil, coolants and transmission are of appropriate fluid levels and check for visible leaks. We recommend Fuel level to be around ¼ tank. Vehicles being delivered to indoor exhibitions may have different requirements.
Tire Pressure: Check your tire pressure and ensure that they are within the standard pressure for your vehicle.
Battery: Ensure that your battery is fully charged and well secured.
4. Loading and securing the vehicle.
After prepping your car for transport, the driver will meet somewhere appropriate and convenient, typically a large flat parking lot or open space, side of a large street, or in front your house or building if it is accessible. The meeting location is commonly decided at the discretion of the driver.
Loading the Car
Drive-On Method: Many of the vehicles are loaded onto the trailer with ramps or a liftgate.
Vehicle will be positioned towards the back of the trailer and driven or winched on.
Securing the Car
Wheel Strap: Current standard method of securing a car onto the trailer is done with fabric straps over the wheels and onto a track system. It has evolved from metal chains or hooks to the chassis and cross axle straps that are seldom used or uncommon these days.
5. Factors That Influence Car Transport Pricing
There are many factors that affect the price of transport and here we will go thru the major ones.
Key Cost Factors
Distance: Typically the longer the distance your vehicle has to transported, the more costly the transport.
Distance from Metro: The further out from metropolitan cities, the price per mile typically will be readjusted to upwards. Less popular routes also demand more driving time, dead heads and typically more challenging terrains.
Type of Trailer: Obvious, Open trailers are typically more economical than enclosed trailer transport.
Vehicle Size and Weight: Larger size and weight require more space on the trailer, and increases weight of the total freight. Price has a direct correlation to this.
Season: There is a shipping season or busy shipping season. Prices tend to go down during the not so busy months, winter and summer, as shipping seasons are typically spring and fall. Also, supply of trucks also tends to diminish, meaning it’s difficult to find carriers, around the popular public holidays. From our experience, it takes about 4-5 business days to see the supply pick back up after a short pile up of unmoved cars.
Expedited Delivery: If you require your car to be delivered by a certain time, then you will need to incurs the extra expense of having it transported as quickly as possible.
6. Documents
Here are the main documents a shipper (very likely you) will need to obtain from the Carrier (trucking Company).
Bill of Lading
It is a detailed report during the time of pick-up and delivery. The Bill of Lading documents the condition, count, verification of the freight, and is prepared by the transport company.
- Correct identification of load
- The condition of the vehicle before transport.
- Pickup and delivery locations.
- Contact information for both parties.
- Pricing (if applicable)
Insurance and Liability
- Certificate of Insurance: Verify there is sufficient coverage for your property and also updated and not expired. It is mandatory that all commercial transport companies be compliant with Insurance.
7. Monitoring the Shipment
A good transport company is communicative and transparent. Monitoring and tracking their property should be easy and accessible.
Tracking Methods
Online GPS Tracking: Some companies provide a portal for customer loads. They can see the estimated locations and progress of their shipment.
Regular Updates: Other companies provide periodical updates and stages through email, SMS text or notifications.
Contacting Shipping Agent: Majority of transport company will provide extended hours for customers to contact their agents and drivers.
8. What to Expect Upon Delivery
Once your car reaches its destination, there are a few final steps before the process is complete:
Post-Delivery Inspection
- Inspect for Damages: After delivery, examine the car or compare pictures and the inspection report taken before and after transportation.
- Report Damage: Seldom, but If there are any new damages, document by taking pictures at delivery, and be sure to note the damages in the Bill of Lading before signing it. Inform the transport company immediately and contact their insurance company.
Finalizing the Transaction
- Payment: If it is COD (cash on delivery), the BOL will typically show the price agreed upon prior to pick up, confirm and pay. Most companies will accept credit cards, ACH transfers, cash, business checks, and electronic payments. Please verify method at the beginning of the process.
- Delivery Paperwork: When the transport is smooth and damage free, Ensure that you sign at the Bill of Lading, closing the loop of the transaction.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does it take to transport a car by truck and trailer?
The time frame depends on the distance and service chosen. Generally, delivery takes one to two weeks for inter-state transportation while for the intra-state the time can take just a few days.
Q: Can I transport personal items in my car during transport?
Although the practice is common, we advise against it. The official answer is NO, as it involves household goods, and carriers must have specific authority and insurance coverage to transport such items, which most vehicle transport companies do not possess.
Q. What steps should I take if transport damages my car?
In the event of any damage, immediately report to the transport company and follow up on the insurance claimer.
Conclusion:
Transporting cars by trucks and trailers is one of the most efficient and flexible methods for moving vehicles across the United States. At Signal Auto Movers, we offer auto transport services for cars within and across the USA. We have extensive experience of over 14 years in the auto transport industry and providing safe, reliable and satisfactory services. Carriers in our exclusive network and commitment to quality service assure your vehicle will receive an expert touch throughout the transport process. Whether you own a classic car, an SUV, or a pickup truck, Signal Auto Movers ensures you get the best car shipping service.