My Path: Home | Services | Automotives | Services | Preparing for Car Transport

Preparing for Car Transport

 

Tips on Preparing your Car for Transport:

 

So you’ve done your research, you've booked the carrier of your choice and your car will be picked up in a few days.  Now what do you do?

 

Here a few easy steps to properly prepare you vehicle for the auto shipping process in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises along the way.

 

1. Empty your car of all personal or loose items.  Most car shipping companies will not allow you to transport any additional items inside the vehicle.  Also keep in mind that the insurance package that covers your vehicle during the moving process will most likely not cover any other items if they were lost or damaged.
2. Clean your car thoroughly inside and out.  While receiving a clean car at your destination point will just make for a good experience, the reason we recommend this is so that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with any damages, nicks, dents, or malfunctions that exist in your vehicle.  Once you are certain of every aspect of your car, it will be much easier to ensure that the auto transport carrier has an accurate inspection report.  This will also ensure that you can recognize and immediately claim any future damages that might occur during the car shipping process.
3. Disable your car alarm.  Most vehicle relocation carriers cannot familiarize themselves with each car’s alarm features.  Therefore it will be easier for everyone if the alarm is disabled until your retake possession of the vehicle.
4. Keep your gas tank between 1/8 and ¼ full.  Keeping the gas level low makes for a safer car transport process and also reduces the general weight of the car, allowing auto shipping carriers to stay below their required weight limits.
5. Put the top up on your convertible.  When shipping convertibles, especially in open car transport carriers, you want to make sure that the top is up and secured properly in order to provide the car with as much protection from the elements as possible.
6. Check for any potential leaks.  During transport, cars are usually stacked, in order to use the truck to its maximum capacity.  Verifying that your automobile has no leaks will ensure that if your car happens to be placed above another vehicle, no subsequent damage will ensue.
7. Be present and thorough during inspections and take pictures.  Finally, you should be present during both inspection reports – one at the time of pick-up and one at the destination point.  Car transportation representatives must fill these reports out thoroughly and accurately in order for you to have all necessary documents for any future needs.  These inspection reports, as well as any pictures you’ve taken, will help you rest assured that your vehicle was kept safe during transit, or they will help you establish the extent of the damages that you must claim.