Need to transport your car to a long distance across the country or in case of cross country relocation!? Legit, you have to hire a transport service who will do the work for you. You need to hire a commercial transport truck service provider to ship your biggie to your desired location. Though, commercial truck transportation is the best and safest option to ship your car, yet as the shipping trucks are huge in size, they behave differently when moving on the road. Handling transport trucks on the road is far more different than driving any other regular vehicles. Being careful is the key concern while transporting any vehicle irrespective of their price-values and types.

Therefore, there are few essential attributes to follow while shipping heavy weight vehicles in the commercial trucks. In this article, we will discuss ten such factors that should be ensured for a safe and secure shipping of your buddy gear.

So, let’s dive in:

1. Prepare your car for shipping

To ensure a good shipment of your car, prepare the same for shipping first. If you want your car to be delivered in a good condition, you must clean it properly before handing it over to the shippers. As dusts and dirts can hide the injuries of your car’s body, cleaning can help you to identify the previous wounds and mention them to the shipper. Do not fill the fuel tank more than ¼ of the tank and it will help you to reduce extra weight of the car. Also, make sure that there is no existing leakage and cross check the undercarriage clearance to assure that. The car’s tyres should be inflated rightly.

Moreover, to avoid theft or to save the vehicle’s belly part properties, secure it with an advanced lock system with electronic tracking technology.

2. Clean the inside of your car

Besides cleaning the outer body, eliminate the unnecessary elements like speakers, spare chargers, sound system, air freshener etc. Otherwise, your car’s windows might be affected by the tossing of the interior  items due to movement.

3. Keeping previous records

Verify each individual part of your car before handing it over to the shippers and also make them know about your specific concerns. If possible take several snaps of the car from different angles and also provide their copies to the transporters. So, they won’t dare to deny if any damage happens in transit.

4. Insurance policy and documentations

Insure your car’s safety before shipping it to a new place. Vehicle insurance would cover your entire repairing expenses if any accident happens while shipping. Ask your shippers to provide such policies and ensure your car’s security. You may have to pay some extra money for that.

5. Inquire about transport methods

There are mainly two types of shipping methods; open air shipping and enclosed shipping. Open shipping is cheaper whereas enclosed shipping is a bit costly, as it ensures safe transportation of your car. So, inquire with your shippers about the method they are using for shipping cars.

6. Verify if your is legally registered

Make sure that your shipper is legally registered with the Department of Transport and Federal Maritime Commission in order to ship cars interstate or abroad as well.

7. Beware of the auto brokers

Do not let the auto brokers make fool of you while hiring transport service via them. The complaint is most of the time brokers cheat with the customers and don’t provide the service as promised.

8. Verify the ratings and reviews about your hired transporters

It is suggested to go through the reviews of the previous customers of your hired transport service to assure that you are hiring the right one for car shipping. You can check the ratings on car forums and on the transporters’ website too.

9. Check the cost and payment process

Gather free quotations of car shipping from multiple shippers and compare the costs according to their effectiveness and services. Also, ask about their payment process; if it is for cash or card. Never pay any deposit money before the shipment is completed.

10. Avoid transporting during holidays and specify your scheduling preferences to your transporter

Try not to ship your car during holidays or in the summers. Otherwise, your car may have to face mishandling as the stated periods are the busiest time for all the auto transporters. Try to arrange the move either beginning or end of the year.

Make your shipper know about your schedule preferences for delivery, though it may cost some extra.