Car Transporters – What You Need to Know

how do I choose a transporter

Brantley Kendall

27 Nov 2024 3 weeks ago


Are you intrigued about various types of car transporters? Maybe you’re wondering how many cars can fit on a car transporter. Whatever your case may be, carrier trailers form the backbone of many car shipping companies, and when you’re in need of their service, there’s a good chance your vehicle will be loaded up on a car transporter. Today’s article is all about car transporters – we answer all relevant questions you could possibly ask down below!

What Are Car Transporters?

Car transporters are large trailers equipped to carry many vehicles at once. They form the backbone of many shipping companies since for many, they’re the preferred way to ship a car. Why? Because of the distinct advantage stemming from the car remaining immobile. Rather than putting it on the road, it gingerly spends its time fastened securely to the truck bed, without accruing mileage and avoiding general wear and tear.

Going back to car transporters, they are typically attached to semi-trucks, and can handle a wide variety of vehicles of different shapes and sizes.

Types of Car Transporters

There isn’t just one type of car transporter – when preparing to ship a car, you can generally discuss how you’d like the car moved with your chosen company. Most commonly, the available options will include:

  • Open Car Transporters: These definitely see the most use and feature two levels of open racks to carry a significant number of vehicles, usually up to 10, to their destination. While this method is certainly cost-effective, open car transporters leave vehicles exposed to adverse weather, dirt, smoke, road debris, and other things.
  • Enclosed Car Transporters: If you’d like to secure your vehicle with an extra layer of protection (for example, when shipping classic or luxury cars), enclosed transporters are the way to go. These trailers shield the precious cargo from the elements at the cost of being able to carry fewer vehicles.
  • Flatbed Trucks: Flatbeds see the most use for short-distance transport or to move oversized vehicles that won’t fit on standard transporters.
  • Single-car Trailers: For personalized service, single-car trailers only transport one car at a time. While this option provides maximum care, it’s also the most expensive.

How Many Cars Fit on a Car Transporter?

The most standard, open carriers you’ll see when cruising down the highway will usually be able to strap down around 8 to 10 cars safely. For enclosed car transporters, some capacity gets sacrificed in exchange for extra security, allowing them to carry between 4 and 7 vehicles, depending on their size and configuration. Flatbed trailers won’t be able to fit much more than 2 vehicles, and single-car trailers are, well, intended to transport one car at a time, as you might have guessed.

How Do I Choose a Car Transporter?

Making the call about how to ship a car depends on many factors. The choice will be yours, naturally, but it’s best to make it while keeping all of the following in mind:

  • Distance to Travel: Less distance means less time in transit and, conversely, fewer chances for anything to go wrong. Going by this philosophy means that for longer distances, getting extra protection and, say, opting for an enclosed trailer, makes more sense.
    • The Car’s Value: Whether monetary or sentimental, all of us ascribe different values to our possessions, and cars are no exception. By all means, it’s recommended to splurge on all the safety measures you can afford if your car means a lot to you.
  • Cost: If your budget’s tight, an open car trailer is your best bet. Otherwise, it may be wiser to opt for the other types of car transporters.

Ultimately, everything comes down to your unique set of circumstances. Still, the most important step will be to choose a trusted transport service provider, like Sakaem Logistics. You can contact us any time to obtain a quote, and we’ll take care of the rest, including figuring out the specifics of vehicle transport tailored to your exact needs.

The Takeaway

Car transporters are the bread and butter of the auto transport industry. Though the idea and objective remain the same, the slight differences in their structure mean the nitty-gritty details offer a degree of customizability when your needs go beyond all-purpose.

At Sakaem Logistics, we partner exclusively with companies that employ well-vetted drivers and offer a diverse range of services. Whether you’re shipping an old beater or the crown jewel of your classic collection, we’re ready to provide you with the reliability and logistical expertise you need to sleep soundly, knowing that your car is in good hands.

You may also read: Auto Transport for Relocation – How to Plan Ahead


Brantley Kendall