Making the move across country solo? Relocating the family for work? Whatever the case, you`ll need to decide how you`re going to relocate your vehicles. And if you`re reading this article, chances are the place you have to move that car is long distance.
The best way to transport a vehicle long distance is to hire a transport company. Not only can this reduce the risk and worry on your end, but it also prevents your car from accumulating a ton of highway miles that may shorten its life span.
How to Hire the Right Transport Company
First things first, you need to find a reputable company to transport your car. Like all businesses, not every transport service is created equal. You will need to do your research to find the right company for you. To do so, follow these guidelines:
- Understand how your car will be transported. Where some companies will use towtrucks, others will use semis. If you have an all-wheel-drive car, you`ll need to make sure that the company has the equipment it needs to tow an all-wheel-drive car or you will wind up with blown differentials and a totaled car.
- Make sure they have the right insurance. The USDOT system tracks all reputable transporters, and it should be the first number you ask a potential transport company for. Once you have this, ask them about their level of insurance. You will want to make sure that in the event that your car is damaged, the company has the right level of insurance to ensure that you don`t pay a dime.
- Collect a variety of quotes. Your quotes will vary from car to car, as most companies will judge the size, weight, and needs of the vehicle before supplying a quote. Like any other purchase, ask around to a few different companies for quotes.
- Understand when your car will arrive. Though most freight times are similar, they can vary based on the service level provided to you by the transport company. Before you choose a company, ask about how pickup and dropoff are performed and the time it will take the driver to arrive with your car.
Preparing Your Car for Transport
To prepare your car for the journey, make sure that you clean the car out. This includes any personal items that you may need for the journey, as well as anything you aren`t willing to lose. Though your driver will be trustworthy, you can`t count on the outside world to do the same. It only makes sense to remove anything you are afraid of losing beforehand.
Once your car is cleaned out, it`s time to inspect your car. This is important for ensuring that your car is arriving in the same condition you dropped it off in. To make it easy on yourself, take photos of the car (inside and out). Make sure you have the time-stamping turned on so you have a reference. If anything is out of place, you`ll easily be able to compare how the car is delivered to the photos you took beforehand.
If you`re a dealership trying to ship cars to Florida, learn more about the process for preparing multiple cars here: https://geyerstowing.com/transport-to-florida/
Conclusion
No matter how you slice it, transporting your car instead of driving it will save you precious milage and heartache. This is especially true if the vehicle you are trying to transport is 10 years old (or more). In the same light, if you`re looking to sell the car you`ve worked so hard on- there is no need to devalue it with extra highway mileage.
What tips do you have for transporting a vehicle long distance? Share your advice in the comments.