Maybe you've been offered have a great opportunity that you simply can't pass up, or you just want to have a fresh start in a different part of the country. Your plan is to pack as much of your personal belongings as you can in the trunk of your car, throw your bikes on the rack, tie a few miscellaneous items on the roof, load up the wife, the kids, the dog, and away you go! Tyre Fitter



Your stuff is all packed up and the furniture movers have been scheduled and now you're just waiting for the big day to arrive. But what if you like most of us have two or even three cars, how are you going to get them all to your new home? The simple solution: consider hiring a car transport shipping company to move your car for you.

Car movers can transport your vehicle to your new home safely and securely, without the risk of you having to drive it across country yourself. I don't know about you, but the thought of having my car break down on me on a dark stretch of road in the middle of nowhere with my entire family in it, is not my idea of a good time. And it certainly is not the way I would want to start my journey into a new home.

With a professional car mover your car, truck, RV, or SUV will arrive at your front door with absolutely no wear and tear, and without the worries of you trying to drive it yourself. All for a lot less than you think. Some car movers can even transport your motorcycle or boat, and can make special arrangements to ensure that your rare classic or high-end luxury vehicle is well protected from all the elements throughout the entire trip. But before you go out and hire a company to move your car there are a few things you need to know and do to make the journey as smooth and worry free as possible. After all you already have enough things on your plate to deal with. So let's get started, shall we?

Choosing a Car Transport Company - Do Your Research

Research different car transport companies to get an idea of what they offer in terms price and service. The internet is a great place to start when it comes to getting price quotes, but be forewarned that if the quote you get seems too good to be true, then it probably is. As is the case with most things, you get what you pay for. Look for a company that provides a high level of quality service rather than one that offers the lowest price. However, it is a good idea to get several quotes before you decide on which company to go with.

You should know that in most cases a car transport company will not be able to ship your car straight through from one location to another. Transport trailers can hold up to twelve cars at a time with each car going to a different location, so your car may be carried through other drop sites before arriving to you at your specific destination. Make sure to inform the transport company if you want your car shipped straight through to you, as they may have to arrange for a different type of trailer to move you.

If your car is an expensive luxury type or a specialty car, make sure to tell the company that as well. They will arrange for your car to be transported in an enclosed trailer which provides additional security and extra protection from the elements. Have patience and get a delivery date from the transport company so that you have a time frame of when your vehicle will be delivered.

The actual drop off rotation and the delivery route will be decided by the driver so depending on where you are located, your delivery could be sooner than expected or delayed a short time. There may be occasions when door to door service is not guaranteed, usually it's because the size of the transport trailer may not enable the driver to easily get in and out of residential areas. If that is the case, expect the driver to contact you and arrange for you to pick up your vehicle at a more accessible location, possibly a depot or a parking lot close to your home.

Vehicle Transport 101 - Before You Ship Your Car

Before you ship your car make sure that it is running properly and has no overlooked mechanical problems. If your vehicle does not run you may be charged additional fees if the driver has to manually push it on or off the transport trailer. Always inform your transport company if there are any problems with your vehicle when you first contact them. This way everyone is on the same page, and you will avoid any unpleasant surprises when you receive your invoice. The more upfront information you give about your vehicle the more accurate your shipping quote will be. And, remember to provide them with a reliable contact number while your vehicle is in transit so that the driver can call you if necessary.

It's a good idea to have your vehicle washed before it is picked up by the transporter, this will allow you and the driver to make note of any preexisting scratches and dents. Make sure your car has no leaks before it gets put on the trailer or it could drip fluids onto another person's vehicle while in transit. The battery in your car should be charged and secure, the fuel level in your tank should be as low as possible, and your car alarm system should be disabled so that it does not drain your battery in the event that it goes off unnoticed during transit.

If you are moving to a different climate either hot or cold, it's a good idea to make sure that your vehicle has an adequate amount of coolant or antifreeze in it so as to avoid any unwanted surprises when you try to drive home from the delivery location, assuming that the driver was not able to provide you with door to door service. And if your car has an antenna, make sure that you remove or retract it so that it does not get torn off or accidentally scratch another vehicle.

Car Shipping - Rules to Remember

Lastly, remember to secure or remove any loose items inside your car that may shift around during transit, and take any important personal items with you that you may need access to such as your laptop or cell phone, as it may be several days before your car arrives at its destination.

If you follow these relatively simple steps you should have no trouble at all when transporting your car or other type of vehicle. Just remember that a little preparation goes a long way!

If you need to have your vehicle transported, or you would like to get more information about various vehicle transportation options, our vehicle logistics experts will be glad to advise you.