What You Should Know About Vehicle Shipping

Whether you are buying a vehicle you found through Zoom Autos' online magazine or you just happen to be one of the thousands that needs to have a personal car moved from one area to another, who would you contact to have the car delivered safely to a new destination? Believe it or not, choosing a reliable auto transport company for shipping your car can be a difficult task to undertake.

The shipping industry, specifically auto shippers, brings in more than five billion dollars annually. That is of course, the amount profited by several thousand companies combined. How can you, as a vehicle owner, determine which company you should hire? To do this effectively, you can follow a few key steps to locating, and hiring, the vehicle shipper that will be best suited for your vehicle as well as your spending budget. Prior to even picking up a telephone and contacting a company, you should determine the following:

1. Is your shipping date set in stone?
2. What is your overall budget?
3. Does your car run?
4. Is it necessary to ship with enclosed transport rather than open?

When setting a budget, you will want to acknowledge that while professional vehicle shipping is the most reliable way to relocate a car, you need to have realistic goals in mind when it comes to the rate you can expect for shipment. For shipping from the east coast to the west coast, one should expect to pay right around $1000 or even more depending on the type of carrier used. A car shipment from the north or south to the Midwest can run anywhere from $200 to more than $700. The fees are based not only on the distance the vehicle will ship from and to but also on the weight of the vehicle, the current cost of fuel and even the route that the driver must take to deliver the vehicle.

Types of Vehicle Shipping Carriers

As mentioned previously, part of the fee is determined by the type of carrier that is used to ship the vehicle. When you ship a motor vehicle you can choose from open or enclosed carriers and also single or multi-carriers.

Open Carrier:  The most common type of carrier used to ship motor vehicles is with open transport. This is a quick way to move a car but will leave it fully exposed to the elements during shipment. For land or sea auto shipping, open transport works with all types of vehicles.

Enclosed Carrier:  On land vehicles are shipped in sealed trucks or sealed trailers and by sea, they are shipped in large, sealed shipping containers. Enclosed carriers are the most secure way to ship a car and are perfect for expensive luxury cars, sports cars, exotic cars, classic and collectibles and other vehicles that need added protection during shipment. These carriers will cost up to 50% or more higher than open carriers.

Single Carriers:  These carriers will haul only one vehicle at a time and usually have a higher fee than other carriers as they prevent other vehicles from coming into contact during shipment.

Multi-Carriers:  Most vehicles are shipped on multi-carriers as the expense is less than shipping with a single carrier. Anywhere from two to twelve vehicles may be hauled at one time on a multi-carrier. The cost is typically lower than a single carrier but the vehicle owner needs to have a flexible time frame for pickup and delivery as other vehicles will need to be picked up and delivered from the same carrier.


Requirements for All Motor Vehicle Shipping Companies

* All companies that transport vehicles on their own carriers must have a USDOT number as well as a Motor Carrier (MC) number. This information can be obtained by checking with the FMCSA.

* All companies that transport vehicles must carry valid insurance coverage that includes cargo and liability insurance that is no less than $50,000.

* Safety regulations are very important for all carrier operators and the USDOT requires all drivers to abide by regulations for the legal and safe operation of the carrier they are responsible for.

As a motor vehicle owner it is your responsibility to verify the insurance coverage and make sure it is sufficient for your vehicle. If it is not, you may want to inquire about increasing the coverage amount as well as having a private policy that will be in effect during shipment. You also need to make arrangements with the company to have the car picked up and delivered at a location that is convenient for you and before you hire anyone, be sure to check references online to see how the company has fared with other clients.


Getting Your Vehicle Ready

Taking the time to prepare your vehicle for professional shipping is a key element to preventing damage once it is loaded onto the carrier. The first step to preventing damage is of course going to be, hiring a safe and reliable auto shipping company. Once you have hired a reliable company, be sure to inquire with them on what they require for vehicle prep for shipping but also follow a few standard guidelines as well:

1. Remove all personal property from the vehicle.

2. Wash the exterior and ensure that nothing is loose inside the vehicle.

3. Remove exterior accessories that could fall off during shipment.

4. Disarm the car alarm system.

5. Lower the fuel level to no more than a quarter tank only.

6. Check for fluid leaks and make repairs if necessary to stop leaks that may be present.

7. Take detailed pictures of the vehicle for comparison at the time of delivery. 

Once your vehicle has been delivered you need to complete the walk through inspection with the driver and make sure there is no damage to the vehicle upon arrival. To ease your mind a bit, you may be interested in knowing that damage occurs in less than 3% of all vehicle shipments worldwide. Whether the vehicle is in excellent condition or has signs of damage, make sure the driver notes everything correctly and only sign when the paperwork shows the right condition of the vehicle. You will also want to make sure that delivery is only provided during daylight hours. When a car is delivered at night, it is easy to miss minor scratches and other cosmetic flaws. 

Guest post provided by Jason Mueller

5 Cars That Will Go Down in History as True Classics

When it comes to making an investment in a classic car there are a few things that most people look for when shopping around. First, they look for cars that have some sort of sentimental value to them or cars that bring back youthful memories from their lives or cars that are fun to drive around town or show off at car shows. They also look for cars that have power and sleek or unique design as well as cars that have been able to remain popular and will be able to bring them more money in the future due to the ability to increase in value over the years. If you are in the market to purchase a classic or vintage car, here are five that you may want to consider as an investment for the future.

5. Mercedes-Benz 190E

Mercedes-Benz 190E was introduced to the world in 1982 and continued production through 1993. This was the first compact executive car delivered by this prestigious manufacturer.  The 190E uses fuel injection rather than a carburetor as previous models had always utilized and this helped ensure that the 190E was a very powerful model. As a compact car it was, and still is, able to compete with other high-end executive automobiles and the luxury models came fully equipped with many features including a slide steel sunroof, electric windows and walnut wood trim. With a 2.3 engine that could go from zero to 62 in less than 8 seconds and could reach speeds up to 230 mph, this was a car that was in high demand among business executives and today, retains excellent value for those that still see the true beauty of the car and have chosen to own one as a collector. 

4. Morris Minor

The Morris Minor was manufactured from 1948 through 1972 and was touted as a reliable and fun car to drive. Even today, if you have one in good running condition, they can be very fun to drive. Whether you want to drive around town or keep the car garaged for show, this is a little beauty that maintains value and will last for years to come due to excellent design and durable parts.  This is a car that is great for those working with smaller budgets as they can be found with price ranges from $1000 and up depending on the condition. Over the last decade, this car has gained popularity as a family sized classic and many collectors have worked stridently to make upgrades to the brakes to replace the drum brakes with disc brakes to increase safety on the road while others have worked tirelessly to fully restore theirs to its natural condition for show or events. The Morris Minor can be found in many styles including hard top, a soft top convertible which is popular for the younger crowd and even a pickup truck with plenty of space for loading small items and packages for long trips. 

3. Porsche 911 (Type 930) Turbo

The Porsche 911 (Type 930) Turbo was manufactured from 1975 through 1989 and was one of the most popular Porsche’s ever built. In 1975, Porsche released its first ever turbo charged car, the 930 which was marketed as a 930 Turbo in Europe and a 930 Carrera in the United States. The car featured wide wheels and a rear spoiler that added to the sleek appearance and the 3.0 engine. In later years (1978 through 1989) a slimmer spoiler was added to replace the original tail and it became known only as the Porsche Turbo worldwide instead of a Carrera. This car was designed for speed and helped many a race car driver win races and receive awards. In 1979, the Porsche 930 won the Le Mans race which is the world’s oldest sports car race held in Le Mans, France and it was a staple car at many races well into the 1980’s.


2. DeLorean DMC-12

If you have ever watched the popular movie, “Back to the Future,” you are inevitably familiar with the DeLorean DMC-12 as it was the car featured as taking the actors portrayed in the film back and forth through time. While the car in the movie may have travelled to and from the future, the real DeLorean DMC-12 is a car that has withstood time to become a very popular model as well as one that has retained its overall value very well. With the exterior brushed in SS304 stainless steel instead of being painted and its gullwing doors, this car is quite a unique collector’s item. It also featured power disc brakes, rack and pinion steering and a 2.85-liter engine designed and built by Peugeot-Renault-Volvo. This is most definitely one of those cars that get many second looks from classic car fans and it is one of the most unique to collect.

1. Jaguar XJS

When it comes to luxury as well as a car that offers a smooth ride no matter the speed, the Jaguar XJS is one that will go down in the history books as one of the smoothest rides ever invented. The car was manufactured from 1976 until 1996 and has been one of the most popular Jaguar models to date. Beginning in 1975 it was designed with a 5.3 engine and a classic hard top but it progressed after 1982 as a cabriolet with a 3.6-liter engine in order to achieve better gas mileage. By 1988, the XJS was a convertible with 2 seats and has, since that time, been a very popular car for collectors worldwide. This car, when restored or well-maintained, has been one that has seen great increases in value throughout the years and is a popular car at shows and events across North America as well as Europe. Due to the engine sizes, it may be a bit expensive to take this car out for a long drive, but it is a fun car to drive and show off to thrill seekers and will definitely get attention from car lovers as they see it speed past them down the highway.

Guest post provided by Jason Mueller

When looking to transport a classic vehicle be sure to get several quotes and check online reviews. Don’t always pick the lowest price but pick a company that specializes in transporting classic cars in enclosed carriers like www.a1autotransport.com/classics