Brantley Kendall 03 Oct 2024 3 months ago It’s that time of the year again when the snowbirds migrate down south to enjoy longer sunlight hours and escape from the harsh cold winds and overall dreariness. But it’s not always as easy as just stuffing all your belongings in your car and hopping on the road. Today, we’ll show you a checklist for snowbirds that will help you prepare your car for shipping. Snowbird Car Shipping – What Are Your Options? The snowbirds who want to spend winter in warmer weather face a difficult choice each year: do I drive the car myself and spend long hours migrating down from Canada or the Northern United States, or is there a better alternative? With distances often spanning over a thousand miles to reach the Sunshine State or the Gold Coast, it’s important to weigh your options carefully before you consign yourself to a week-long drive. Let’s explore the three main methods of getting your vehicle to your winter destination: Driving the Car Yourself Taking matters into your own hands is, of course, a possibility. You know your car better than anyone else. It’s your prized possession, and you wouldn’t exchange it for the world. Still, have you considered the wear and tear that it goes through during such a long trek? Also, the costs tend to add up quickly, far exceeding what you typically envision. Fuel costs, overnighting in hotels, paying the occasional toll (or not-so-occasional, for example, when shipping your snowbird to Florida). The point is, just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s always worthwhile. Hiring a Driver Your next option involves paying an experienced driver to do the dirty work for you. You’ll get to have an early start to enjoy the lovely weather if you take a plane straight down there, resting easy that your car is in good hands, driven by someone with extensive experience in handling all road conditions. Keep in mind, however, that this process can be risky. In what ways? It can be difficult to find a trusted driver. However, this doesn’t eliminate the problem of mileage. Your car will still be exposed to potential damage while on the road, especially if your home regions are already experiencing some snow or icy conditions. Car Shipping Brokers By far, the best way to ship a car down south involves employing a company (and their fleet of trucks) to do it for you. A car shipping broker acts as an intermediary between you and the car carriers, handling the logistics while giving you complete peace of mind, competitive rates, and flexible scheduling. The main advantage of hiring a broker comes in their wide range of services that you can cater to your needs. This might be especially important if you’re shipping a valuable vehicle like a rare classic car. In this case, to be extra safe, you can rely on enclosed car transport to not just get your car from point A to point B without putting its wheels on the road but also to protect it from rain, snow, hail, debris, and everything else that could damage it on its way. How to Prepare a Car for Shipping – Checklist for Snowbirds Properly preparing your vehicle for transport ensures a smooth process and helps avoid any potential issues during transit. Follow this detailed checklist to get your car ready for its journey south: Preparing Your Snowbird Checklist Wash your car inside and out. Take clear photos of its current condition – Document any existing damage from all angles before shipping. These photos protect you and serve as proof of your vehicle’s pre-transport condition should any disputes arise. Check fluid levels, top off if needed. Keep your gas tank at around ¼ full (for easy loading and unloading). Check tire pressure. Remove any personal items, accessories, antennas, and other detachable parts – Insurance typically doesn’t cover personal items during transport, and loose objects can become projectiles that damage your vehicle. Disable the car security system. Get the carrier an extra set of keys. Prepare the necessary documents The Takeaway Thanks to this snowbird checklist, you’ll be able to successfully and safely transport your vehicle to its destination while knowing what to watch out for to make the process as smooth as possible. Remember to contact Sakaem Logistics if you’re looking to move your snowbird—we operate across the entire country and partner only with the most experienced drivers to offer you the best service possible. You may also read: Auto Shipping Quotes: All You Need to Know Brantley Kendall Share this: