If you’re planning on shipping your car, there are a few things you’re going to need to know. You’re going to need to know which shipping company you’ll go with. You also need to know where and when you want to ship. These things you probably already know, but there are some questions you might get from your shipping provider that you’re not familiar with. The first question your shipping company will ask is if you want open or enclosed transport. For those who don’t know what that means, it refers to the type of trailer you want to ship your car on. There are pros and cons to either option. The best option really comes down to your specific vehicle needs.
Open Transport
Open transport is the most common way people ship their cars. Over 90% of all transport trailers are for open transport. You may have seen these before. They are the double-decker trailers that hold anywhere between six and ten vehicles. Since these types of transport trailers are so common, it is likely that you can find one much quicker to pick up your vehicle. Additionally, with the added number of trailers, it makes it much cheaper to ship on an open transport trailer.
The downfall of open transport is that your car will be exposed to the elements. This means that you are almost guaranteed to have your car returned with a healthy layer of dirt. It is exposed to any hazards on the road. A rogue pebble could bounce off the road and dink a panel or crack a windshield. However, any reliable shipping company will have enough insurance to cover any issues. However, if your car goes through harsh weather like Alaska can see year round, open transport may harm your car if you’re not careful. If your car is not topped off with anti-freeze, heavy hail storms could be problematic. However, new car dealers ship their brand-new cars on open transport trailers.
Enclosed Transport
Enclosed transport encompasses many different types of trailers. All of these trailers have some sort of canvas or hard shell covering that surrounds them. This eliminates the hazards of hail and pebbles. Many people with classic or exotic cars opt for enclosed transport. Classic cars may be covered by insurance, but replacement parts are so hard to find that it’s not worth the trouble to go through insurance. Additionally, many of these exotic cars are so low to the ground that they can’t drive up the ramp to get on a traditional trailer.
These types of cars will need trailers with hydraulic lifts. Often, these specialized trailers can only carry a couple of cars. A secret to the industry is that to keep costs low, fees and costs are divided up between all the cars on the trailer. These costs include gas, toll roads, and specialized permits. If your car is the only car on the trailer, all of this comes out of your pocket.
It may be more expensive to ship on an enclosed transport trailer, but for some, it could be worth it. Enclosed transport offers a much safer option. With the heavy weather in Alaska, many people may want to choose enclosed transport depending on the time of year they need to ship. However, if you drive a luxury vehicle, you may not have any other option than a specialized enclosed trailer.
The best Option comes down to Preference.
When it all comes down to it, both options with a reliable shipping company are great options. Just make sure your shipping company has enough insurance to cover your car. For 90% of people who want to save time and money, public transport is a great choice. If you have a luxury car with special features, you may want to opt for enclosed transport.
If you still need to find a shipping company to get your car to or from Alaska, Alaska Auto Transport is a reliable and experienced shipping company. For over 16 years, they have shipped cars to any of the 50 states in America, including Puerto Rico. Give them a call today for an instant quote. Their knowledgeable team can help you decide the best choice for your car and get you the best trailer for you.
