By airplane, large ship, rail, or truck – such are the options you have for auto transport/car carrier. Whatever car carrier or car hauler method you use, especially if you would have a professional do it, be sure that you review the quote (as most auto transports are usually quoted by open-trailer method), the jobs that would be involved, and the rates that you have to pay as well.The following are your options:
1. By airplane.
As for car transport by airplane, you have to consider that unless yours is a vintage or exotic car, race car, or a concept vehicle for an auto show, only a few personal vehicles are transported by airplane.
2. By auto/car shipping.
Up to 8,000 vehicles – that’s the number of cars that select car-carrying vessels can accommodate. Foreign-built cars and trucks use this method to transport their goods to the United States. Example: if a giant car manufacturer would import 1 million vehicles from Asia to the United States, the automaker could charter or contract up to 30 ships and rely on five ports located on the East and West Coasts, where the vehicles would be unloaded and delivered to the dealer.
3. By rail.
Longer routes are said to be more cost effective by rail, as automakers estimate that more than 50% of all new vehicles in the United States would be traveling by rail. Despite limitations in destinations and equipment required to load and unload the vehicles by rail, still industry pundits estimate that motor vehicles made up 1.6% of all railroad tonnage, as per 2007 figures. Auto racks are specially designed rail cars that have two to three decks and can carry up to 20 vehicles – the two-deckers could carry trucks and large SUVs, while the three-deckers could carry cars.
4. By trailer.
Most trailers could carry up to 12 vehicles, with rigs designed so the tractor could support the vehicles. The transport driver would be in charge of loading and unloading the rig, making sure the operation would be completed considering the time, vehicle size, and schedule issues, with the first car loaded being the last to be unloaded.
If you would be driving behind an open-trailer, fear not that the vehicle would fall off, as officials assure us that such an incident is rare because each vehicle is tightly secured in four locations, with chains and straps used to secure them.
When asking for quotes, factor in also if you would like to have your vehicle delivered right to your doorstep or you would pick it up from a terminal. Prepare a deposit, which is usually required by these auto transport companies.
Each method of auto transport is situation-specific. For instance, if you’re going overseas, your only option is to have a car carrier service by shipping. It could cost you more, but you would be saving time and energy. Just make sure that when you avail of any of these auto transport methods, that your vehicle insurance has substantial coverage for auto transport, and that the driver who would be bringing your car must be a trained person and fully insured to the value of your car.
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