The biggest reason open transport is always cheaper is because of availability, but there are many other factors to consider. When shipping a car, there are multiple options to choose from. These options could make things cheaper, faster, or even safer. Figuring out the best options for your car may not be as straight-forward as asking a company to pick your car up at a certain place at a specific time. There are so many different options that it may feel like a mine field. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate those treacherous fields and get you and your car safely across the finish line. When it all comes down to it, the best way to save money when shipping your car is to make sure you’re shipping smart and know the difference between open and enclosed transport.
Open Transport
Open transport refers to the trailer that is used to ship your car. 90% of all transport trailers on the road are open transport trailers. These are the double-decker trailers with anywhere between six and ten cars crammed bumper to bumper on the trailer. It’s probably what you think of when you think of an auto shipping trailer. Since these trailers are readily available, they offer the benefit of being the cheapest and fastest option to ship your car. This is because of supply and demand. Auto shippers always want to ship with a full trailer. Since there are so many trailers, shipping on open transport is a buyer’s market. Not to mention that there is likely an open transport trailer nearby. So if you need a trailer on a specific day or as soon as possible, you’re going to want to go with an open transport trailer.
Open transport might be faster, cheaper, and readily available, there are still some cons to shipping with an open transport trailer. The biggest con is that your car will sit on an open platform exposed to the elements. You can be sure that the first place you’ll want to go when your car arrives is the car wash. This is especially true if your car just traveled through any harsh weather, like the desert or snow. All that dirt and debris does give the added danger of scratches. Not to mention the rogue pebble that can bounce up and hit a panel or windshield. Luckily, any shipping company worth its salt will have enough insurance to cover any of these issues. In fact, car dealers ship their brand-new cars on open transport trailers. For most people, an open transport trailer is a fantastic option to save time and money.
Enclosed Transport
Enclosed transport trailers come in many sizes and shapes, but they all have one thing in common. These types of trailers have a canvas or hard-shell cover that surrounds the trailer. Some trailers are the exact same as open transport trailers with the canvas covering, and some enclosed transport trailers can only fit one or two other cars. The range is seemingly endless, and choosing the best option really comes down to the vehicle you need to ship. Most people with classic or exotic cars choose to ship them using enclosed transport trailers. The added protection assures owners that there won’t be any issues with transport. Even if the insurance covers everything, some classic cars just have a hard time finding replacement parts.
Some vehicles have no other option than to go with an enclosed transport trailer. Exotic cars tend to have very low ground clearance, which means they can’t drive up the ramp to load onto traditional trailers. They need trailers with hydraulic lifts. This is to safely load the car. Even if your car has aftermarket parts that make it difficult to load, you may need a specialty trailer.
These types of trailers are more specific to your car’s needs and offer greater protection. However, all of these perks do come at a cost. Now, shipping on a traditional shipping trailer with a canvas cover may not be that much more expensive than an open transport trailer, but the more specialized hard shell trailers could get pricey. This is especially true if your car is one of only a couple cars on the trailer. The secret that auto shippers don’t want you to know is that they keep costs down by splitting costs with all of the cars on the trailer. These costs include gas, toll roads, and specialty permits that drivers may need to ship to a specific location. If your car is the only car on the trailer, all those costs come out of your pocket. However, if you drive an exotic car with aftermarket spoilers and low ground clearance, it may be your only option.
Choosing the Best Transport means choosing the Best Auto Shipper
Whatever you choose you’re going to want to make sure that the company you pick is a reputable company with plenty of insurance. Some auto shipping companies save money by cutting back on insurance or not offering insurance entirely. This isn’t good because if anything does go wrong, it could cost you a lot more in the long run. What you want to be sure of is that they have enough insurance to cover the cost of every car on their trailer. For a reputable car shipping company who offers insurance right in their quote, give Car Transport Depot a call. They offer industry leading insurance rates with over a million dollars in coverage. No matter the trailer you need, they can get you the best prices in town.