There are many decisions to make when shipping a car. The first one is to decide which auto shipper to go with. Whoever you choose, the likely first question they will ask is if you want to ship using open transport or enclosed transport. Essentially, what they’re asking is what kind of trailer you want to ship your car on. They both have their pros and cons, and they are both safe and reliable options. What it all comes down to is personal preferences and the type of car you are shipping. Let’s help you break down the options and decide what is best for you.
Open Transport
Open transport means the trailer is exposed to the elements. More than 90% of all auto transport trailers are open transport trailers. You’ve probably seen the double-decker trailers on the highway with 6 to 10 cars crammed on top of each other. Since they’re so prevalent and available on the road, open transport trailers are always going to be the cheaper option. Furthermore, it will more than likely be easier to book your shipment on an open transport trailer, which means it will be quicker. Not necessarily the time it takes to get your vehicle from point A to point B, but the time it takes to pick up your vehicle. Without any delays, you may be able to get your car shipped the very next day.
There are some cons to shipping on an open transport trailer. Since your vehicle is outside the entire time, the first place you’ll go with your car when it arrives will surely be a car wash. Some customers are surprised at how dirty their car is when it arrives. But essentially, your car just went on a road trip without touching rubber on the road. Also, with that exposure comes the hazards of the world. A rogue pebble could bounce off the road and find your windshield or dent your panel. However, even new car dealers use open transport trailers to ship their brand new cars. Just make sure your auto shipper has adequate insurance and you should be fine. Open transport is a great option for those who want to save time and money while safely shipping their car.
Enclosed Transport
An enclosed transport is a trailer with a canvas or hard shell cover that surrounds the trailer. People with high-end luxury cars or classic cars often opt for enclosed transport. The added protection is crucial for classic cars, where even if the insurance covers your car, replacement parts may be tricky to find. Enclosed trailers come in a variety of sizes. For some luxury cars, the ground clearance is not adequate to roll the car onto a trailer ramp. This means they’ll need to use a hydraulic lift to get their car on a trailer. Some enclosed transport trailers can have hydraulic lifts, but they can only carry a couple of cars at a time. This offers maximum protection and care for your vehicle. You can find these trailers most often at car shows and races. If your car has protruding third-party features like a spoiler or body kit, you may need to opt for a specialty enclosed trailer.
With the added protection of an enclosed transport trailer, you’re probably going to have to pay a few bucks more. Depending on the trailer, it could be a lot more. Transport companies help their customers by splitting the cost of transportation between all of the cars on the trailer. Like fuel, toll roads, and permits, to name a few. If your car is the only car on the trailer, that is all going to come out of your pocket. Also, specialty trailers are not as prevalent as open transport trailers. This could create delays for pickup times and make the whole process take longer.
For those with classic or exotic cars, enclosed transport makes sense to give them that added peace of mind when shipping. Also, if your car has certain aftermarket parts or impractical ground clearance, specialty enclosed transport may be mandatory to ship your car.
Shipping is all a preference.
Whatever option you decide to go with, you can be sure that your car is safe and secure with a quality auto shipper. If you’re looking for a quality auto shipper, give Detroit Car Transport a call. They can handle any type of shipping need, and they include their industry-leading insurance right there in their quote. Give them a call today to see how much they can help you today.