Prior to hiring an auto transport company, it is important to do some research and make sure that the transportation company provides the exact service you want. The buyer is spending a lot of money on the vehicle and the shipping charges, so it makes sense to do a little preliminary research and make sure that the shipping services are what the buyer wants.

Feedback

It is often easier to hire an auto transportation company through an online broker that has several different companies to choose from. These online brokers solicit feedback from customers and rate each shipper based on customer feedback.

A buyer can also read customer feedback to see if a particular shipper has established a trend. For example, if a shipper has several negative comments regarding late shipments, then that will have to be taken into account before hiring that shipper. That does not mean that the buyer should not hire the shipper. It just means that the buyer should negotiate a potential late fee with the shipper prior to agreeing to a shipping contract.

Carrier Method

One of the questions that people neglect to ask auto transportation companies is what kind of carrier method the company uses. Some companies ship in a closed trailer, while others use an open flatbed.

There is no right or wrong way, but it may matter to the buyer as to how the vehicle is shipped. If the buyer would feel better if the vehicle was shipped in a closed trailer, then that is a question that needs to be asked before the shipping deal is signed. If the buyer is not against the idea of an open flatbed but has specific requests on protecting the vehicle, then that is also something to discuss with the shipper.

In some cases, the amount of time a delivery will take can dictate what kind of carrier is used. If the vehicle is coming across the country and will be in shipment for three or four days, then a closed trailer would be a better method than an open flatbed.

Pick-Up and Delivery

There are two types of auto transportation options; there is a door to door service, or a terminal service. Door to door means that the vehicle is picked up at the shipper’s location and brought directly to the buyer’s location. This can be more expensive, but it is also much more convenient.

A terminal service means that the shipper will have to bring the vehicle to a shipping terminal and the transportation company will deliver it to the closest terminal near the buyer’s location. The terminal service is often cheaper as far as transportation fees, but the shipper may charge an extra fee to take the vehicle to a terminal. It will be necessary to explore both of these options and get as much information as possible to make the right decision.

When a buyer finds the perfect vehicle but it is several hundred miles away, then the buyer will need to contract with an auto transportation company to make sure the vehicle is shipped safely to the buyer’s location. The buyer needs to do some research on the various shipping options in order to make the right decision on how to ship his new vehicle.

It’s possible to get a car or vehicle shipped in a variety of different ways. These different shipping methods usually vary in price based on vehicle security and shipping speed. For example, it’s often more expensive to ship a vehicle in a closed trailer instead of on an open truck. In addition, a rush delivery is usually more expensive than a low-priority delivery.

In most cases, it will cost between $200 and $1000 to ship a vehicle within the United States. However, this cost can vary based on many factors. Larger vehicles can often be much more expensive to ship.

In the United States, most new vehicles are shipped on open trailers. These trailers are designed to carry anywhere from four to eight vehicles. Trailers equipped to handle larger vehicles like trucks usually can carry a smaller number of vehicles.

When shipping a vehicle, it’s a good idea to use a multi-car trailer when possible. By combining a car shipment with other cars, it’s possible to reduce the cost of transporting it. If a vehicle is transported on its own, the shipping cost will include the total cost of gas, insurance and hiring a driver. By shipping a car with lots of other vehicles, it’s possible to split that cost among several people.

It’s also a good idea to look for alternatives when shipping a vehicle. In many cases, it’s cheaper to purchase a plane ticket and drive a vehicle own on one’s own. For example, shipping a mid size vehicle from Texas to Georgia would cost an estimated $690. For $250, it’s possible to get a one-way flight from Georgia to Texas. When one reaches Texas, it’s possible to drive that vehicle back to Georgia for less than $150 in gas.

While this can be a good choice for vehicles with excellent gas mileage, it may not be the best choice for all people. In some cases, it may be more expensive to drive a vehicle than it would be to have it transported using a professional service.

Shipping Overseas

Shipping a vehicle overseas can be a very expensive proposition for many people. In the past, companies like Toyota would manufacture vehicles in Japan and have them shipped to the western coast of the United States. However, increased fuel costs made this impractical for many vehicles. Instead, foreign car companies like Toyota started to build manufacturing plants in the United States.

If one must ship a vehicle overseas, it’s a good idea to have it transported in a container ship. In many cases, a shipping container can be a safe way to transport a vehicle long distances. However, it’s important to allow at least two or three weeks for delivery.

In most cases, shipping a vehicle overseas will cost between $2000 and $4000. However, that cost can vary significantly based on the type of vehicle.

It’s also possible to use cargo aircraft to transport a vehicle across the ocean. However, this can cost upwards of $10,000. In recent years, the US military has used this technique to transport hummers and IED-proofed vehicles to Afghanistan.

Plan for the Destination

Depending where a motorcycle will go can influence how it is shipped. The pallet method is the bare minimum needed to ship a motorcycle so that it can at least be lifted by a forklift, moving it on and off of shipping trucks or trains. If the bike will be moved across the country, it’s most likely going to need to be strapped down to a pallet or put in a shipping crate. This protects the bike a bit better in terms of side impact. Crating can either be done by the owner or provided by the shipper. The choice will impact the overall shipping cost, depending who does the crating work. In either case, the crate used has to have slots below to allow for lifting.

Internal Container Protection

Just putting a motorcycle inside a container is not enough, however. To avoid the bike shifting around, padding as well as straps need to be used to keep the bike stable. Tie-downs can provide tension, keeping the bike in place strapped to the bottom of the crate. Additionally, padded blankets can provide body protection for a motorcycle, further helping avoid damage from rubbing or vibrations.

Drain the Fluids

Motorcycles carry multiple fluids that can be dangerous or flammable. All of these need to be drained before the motorcycle can be shipped. This includes draining the gas tank, oil tanks and removing the motorcycle battery completely. If left in, the fluids could leak, seeping out of the crate and onto the shipping floor. Most commercial shippers will require all fluids to be removed before they take control of a motorcycle for shipping transportation.

Don’t Forget Insurance

While most riders already have motorcycle insurance on their bikes when they ride them, parties shipping a motorcycle should always take out a policy for damage that may occur during the transportation of the vehicle. This shipping insurance provides an added safety net in case, despite all efforts, something still goes wrong and the motorcycle gets damaged. To ensure a policy is followed-through correctly, taking immediate photographs of the motorcycle before shipping helps validate any damage that needs to be claimed afterwards as well.

Moving To and From the Shipper

Most commercial shippers require motorcycle owners to at least bring the vehicle to the shipping facility. For a much higher cost, some will pick up the bike and drop it off at a specific address destination. However, the cost different is usually not worth the benefit. As long as an owner has the means to take care of the in-town movement, i.e. a pickup truck, the shipper can take care of the rest of the trip.

Conclusion

A number of commercial shippers provide services specific to motorcycle owners, and they are adequately experienced in handling smaller vehicles to avoid accidental damage. Professional shippers are generally the best way to go with moving a motorcycle over a long distance as amateur movers trying for the first time can make mistakes that can lead to permanent vehicle damage. Why go through the heartache? Using a professional avoids headaches and keeps a valued asset in one piece.