Benefits of Classic Car Shipping Services

Owning a classic car is a huge responsibility. It’s also a considerable investment. If you ever need to ship your car from city to city, across state lines, or across the country, it’s only natural to want the best car shipping service for your baby. 

There are generally two options when it comes to auto shipping services: Open auto transport vs. enclosed auto transport. Choose open auto transport and your classic beauty will be exposed to the elements, road, and traffic grime throughout the journey. 

Enclosed auto transport, on the other hand, offers full protection for your classic car. Otherwise known as classic car shipping, it offers ultimate protection and assurance that your car will be transported safely and securely.

What Is Enclosed Auto Transport?

Enclosed auto transport is a service that’s known by several different names. Classic car shipping, exotic auto transport, and covered car transport are just a few examples. 

It’s a service that provides the maximum protection for your vehicle, should you ever need to move it from point A to point B. Whether you need to get your car to the latest classic car show, to the garage for some specialist work, or you’re relocating to the other side of the country, classic car transport provides the safest and most secure environment for your car throughout its journey. 

Classic car transport is a premium car shipping service that delivers extra protection for your vehicle and total peace of mind. Your classic car is transported in an enclosed trailer that is enclosed on all four sides.

The Benefits of Classic Car Shipping Services

• Your car is shipped using a fully enclosed vehicle trailer. It has four sides and a roof and provides a safe environment during the shipping service.
• Vehicles are loaded and unloaded using hydraulic lift gates or extended racing ramps which is perfect if you’ve modified your classic car in any way or its ground clearance is unusually low. 
• You’re able to protect your highly prized, antique, and valuable classic car thanks to the added protection and highest level of security.
• The risk of unexpected damage from extreme weather or road debris is eliminated.
• Enclosed car trailers tend to be smaller and your vehicle is made immobile thanks to the clamps that hold it in place. Your classic car will not move when the truck is in motion.
• Classic car shipping is a very convenient service because the auto transport company can arrange a pick-up and drop-off around your schedule and from a location of your choosing.
• Carriers that offer classic car shipping also have increased insurance coverage. This is because the cargo they typically transport is worth more than a standard car. 
• If you happen to be the proud owner of not just one, two, or maybe more classic cars they can all be transported at the same time because multiple vehicle shipping is often an option. 
• Companies that offer classic car shipping possess specialist knowledge and experience.    

Why Should I Avoid Open Carrier Transport For My Exotic Vehicle?

When it comes to auto transport services, open car shipping is the standard choice. It’s affordable, easy to arrange, and your car is transported safely and securely. However, there is a downside to the service, which is particularly relevant if you happen to be the owner of a classic, luxury, high-end, antique, custom, or modified car. 

When you’re driving on the highway, open car transporters are a common sight. The trailer has one or two levels and several vehicles can be moved at the same time. There are various types of open car trailers, but they all have one thing in common. The cargo on the trailer is exposed to the elements and the surrounding environment as the trailer has no sides. 

While this is perfectly OK for your standard car, it’s not what you need for your very delicate and precious exotic vehicle. 

What Things Should I Know Before Shipping My Exotic Vehicle?

There are a number of things you should be aware of before shipping your exotic vehicle. 

How much will it cost to ship a classic car?

The cost to ship a car varies. In general, you can expect classic car shipping to cost a little more than standard open car transport. The difference is usually between 30 and 40%. 

Why does it cost more? You have to pay more for this kind of service because it is in higher demand. Fewer carriers offer this type of service and fewer cars can be transported in this way which also affects the overall cost. In addition, enclosed trailers tend to be less fuel efficient.

A number of other factors can impact the cost of your classic car shipping service, for example:

• If the final destination is in a rural or metropolitan area
• The make, model, and year of the vehicle you want to transport
• Whether or not your classic car is running
• The distance your car has to travel 
• The time of year

Classic car shipping rates often differ from company to company, so it’s best to do your research and compare the cost. Check the following:

• What’s included in the price
• Whether you’ve got to pay extra for insurance coverage
• Ask if any discounts are being offered  

How long will it take to ship a classic car?

You can expect a classic car shipper to cover several hundred miles in a single day. However, the actual time it takes to ship your classic car will vary. There are a number of things that can affect the over timeline. For example:

• How far the classic car carrier has to travel
• If the pick-up or drop-off locations are in remote areas it can take longer
• The flow of the traffic
• How many stops the carrier has to make
• Detours
• Weather conditions
• Road construction
• Heavy traffic
• Driving restrictions set by the US Department of Transport

How Do I Prepare My Exotic Vehicle For Shipping?

If you want your car shipping experience to be a smooth one, there are some things you need to do to get your exotic vehicle ready for its journey.

Clean Your Vehicle, Inside and Outside

Make sure the outside and inside of your vehicle are clean. Part of the car shipping process involves an inspection of the vehicle. This is done by you and the driver when your vehicle is collected and again when it is delivered.

If you’ve cleaned the outside of your vehicle it will be much easier for you and the auto transport driver to spot existing damage. Any dents, dings, scratches, or chips must be recorded on the Bill of Lading or the condition report. 

Take Pictures of Your Vehicle

You may already have a few photographs of your classic vehicle, but it’s a good idea to take some more now that it’s looking nice and shiny and before it heads off on its journey. Take photos of your car from various angles. 

Not only are these for your own records, they’ll also protect you should any damage occur during the shipping process. However, it’s reassuring to know that this would be a very rare occurrence. 

Remove or Secure Any Accessories

Your classic vehicle could move around a little while it’s on the road. If there are any loose items inside your car, these could move around as well. 

To prevent accessories from getting damaged, remove any that are not secure, such as GPS devices, air fresheners, car chargers, or phone holders. 

Also, remove any small items such as loose change or pens. Accessories such as custom spoilers, luggage, or bike racks should also be removed. If possible, you might also want to consider folding the side view mirror and removing the antenna if you can. 

Check the Tires, Battery, and Radiator

The battery of your classic vehicle needs to be fully charged and secure. It also needs to have a correct amount of antifreeze in the radiator. In addition, check the tires are correctly inflated as incorrectly inflated tires run the risk of damage. 

Check for Fluid Leaks

Your classic car should have no fluid leaks before being shipped. If you find any, try to get them fixed before the carrier collects your car. You run the risk of the carrier refusing to transport your car if there is a serious fluid leak. 

Check for Any Mechanical and Engine Problems

If you’re not sure whether your car is in good working order, have it checked by a mechanic for any mechanical or engine problems. Before your car is picked up, get them to tune it up, if you’ve got the time. 

If you want to transport a classic car that’s not running, you’ll need to let the carrier know. They will need to have the correct equipment for loading and unloading your vehicle. This might increase the cost a little. 

Empty the Gas Tank to 1/4 Full

There only needs to be enough gas in the car’s fuel tank for it to be driven on and off the trailer. The lighter your car the better it is for the transporter as it saves weight.

However, while it’s best to have no more than a 1/4 tank of gas or less, you shouldn’t worry about draining it if there is more than that. 

Disable Any Alarms

Save the carrier the hassle of looking for your alarm by switching it off. The driver will be very frustrated if the alarm is activated during the journey. He might not be able to get to the alarm or know how to shut it off, so save him the hassle. 

Deactivate or Remove Toll Tags

If there are any toll tags in your car these also have to be removed. It’s not likely to recognize whether your car is being driven or on a trailer so removing or deactivating the toll tag ensures you won’t pick up any fees.  

What are the Alternatives for Moving a Classic Car

There are several other alternative ways you can move a classic car across the country. Let’s look at a couple of them and their pros and cons.  

Why Should I Avoid Hiring A Personal Driver For My Exotic Vehicle?

It is possible to hire a professional driver to drive your exotic vehicle across the country. There are plenty to choose from, many of which specialize in providing such a service. A personal driver could work for themselves or a company. The people that are employed to provide this kind of service tend to be retirees or students who use this type of work as a side hustle. 

While there are several advantages of this kind of service, there are also some significant downsides. The most critical of which is that you’ve got to find a personal driver who you trust. After all, your classic car is very valuable and you’re going to be giving them the responsibility of driving it safely for a considerable distance. 

Hiring a driver can also be very expensive, especially when compared with classic car shipping services. There is also going to be a considerable amount of unnecessary wear and tear and additional miles on the car’s odometer. 

What Is Air Freight Shipping?

Air freight shipping is also known as air cargo and is a term that describes the shipment of goods via an air carrier. While it’s more common to ship parcels of all shapes and sizes using a plane, it’s also possible to ship a car.

Transporting a car by air freight costs significantly more than shipping a car using classic car shipping services. It could be a viable option if your budget allows it. 

There are a number of reasons why air freight might be a good option. For example:

• You’re the owner of a rare or expensive car
• You want to ship your car as quickly as possible
• You want to ship your classic car overseas  

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