What You Need to Know about Open and Enclosed Car Carriers

If you've ever tried to transport a vehicle from one location to another, you know how time-consuming and difficult it can be. Enclosed automobile shipment and open car shipping are the two most common options. To ensure that your vehicle arrives in perfect condition, enclosed car shipment is the best solution. It is important to keep in mind, however, that shipping an enclosed automobile is both more expensive and more time consuming.

Open Auto Carrier

As it sounds, open car carriers are simply exposed to the outside road and weather conditions. Open auto transport containers expose vehicles to the elements such as rain, sun, hail, and snow, as well as dirt, bugs, and even birds. This is one of the downsides of this kind of transport. If you choose this mode of transport for your vehicle, you should be aware that it will be exposed to all of those elements.

Car carrier companies, on the other hand, take great care to ensure that the vehicles arrive at their final location in good shape. They employ well-trained truck drivers who take their jobs seriously. While in transit, the cars are properly strapped and secured in the carrier in order to limit movement and vibrations generated by the road. However, one advantage of open vehicle transport is that it is generally faster and less expensive than enclosed auto transport in the majority of circumstances. The demand for open automobile transportation services is increasing, resulting in an increase in the number of truckers operating open car transporters.

Enclosed Car Carriers

The employment of an enclosed car shipping carrier is a fantastic car shipping alternative to consider, especially if you need to move a classic or unique automobile that may draw attention. The vehicles are transported in an enclosed car trailer. Enclosed trailers provide complete protection from weather as well as protection from vandalism, wildlife, etc.

Some trailers are simply a single level with ramps. Others may include lift gates to elevator vehicles to an upper level. These carriers are often only capable of transporting a small number of vehicles at a time. Enclosed car shipping is typically more expensive than open car carrier transportation in the vast majority of circumstances.

Alternate Methods of Auto Shipping

One alternative that you have is to ship your goods via air freight. This option continues to be the most expedient and safest method of transporting a vehicle from one location to another. The downside to this option is that it is the most expensive one available. 

Another option we'd like to address is the use of rail freight transportation. All of the vehicles are arranged in an auto-rack and are able to travel in absolute security. Although it is not the fastest mode of transportation, it is one of the most secure. The disadvantage is that it is one of the more expensive ways of vehicle transportation.

Finally, you could hire someone to drive it. This ends up being as expensive or more as shipping it via open car carriers. You would be responsible for gasoline, food, lodging, wear and tear on the vehicle, as well as the hazards of driving long distances. Finally, often the driver needs to be flown back to the starting point.

If you require additional information regarding the cost of shipping an automobile across country, please contact us today to receive a free estimate!