10 Things to Do Before Shipping Your Car

Are you dreaming of your car being delivered without any mechanical problems and without causing you any inconveniences? It does not take a phone call and a date for your car to be shipped from one destination to the other. 

In order to arrive at your destination, there is a certain level of planning and preparation that must be in place. These steps are beneficial in that they save you time, your cash, and reduce the amount of stress in your life. 

The kind of company one hires also plays an important role in shipping. The process also involves choosing the best auto shipping company.

Research Your Shipping Company

First of all, it is necessary to read the company’s reviews, its safety indicators, and its experience on the market. You should choose the one that deals with your type of vehicle and that has insurance. Thus, avoid brokers with ambiguous terms or with no contactable clientele for you to speak to directly. 

Get more information and try to find the best possible price for the same services offered by other companies. It is always wise to carry out some groundwork before proceeding in an endeavor this saves big problems in the future.

Schedule in Advance

Do not wait until the close of your semester to book your car shipment, as there will be so many other people using the services in search of the same service, which will lead to higher prices. Some auto shipping slots are quickly booked, especially in the following periods. 

It also means you have time to prepare your vehicle properly in terms of scheduling for servicing, cleaning, and other requirements. It also allows you to receive pick-ups and/or deliveries on specified dates you want. Flexibility is also regarded as an advantage as it assists when it comes to saving some cash.

Clean the Car Inside and Out

A clean vehicle makes it easy for you to identify any existing damage when you start the haul.

Cleaning Tips Before Shipping

• Exterior Wash: Use water to wash the car so as to make all the scratches or dings conspicuous.
• Interior Declutter: Dependent items must also be taken away since they could move around inside the casings during transport.
• Tire Check: Ensure that the tires are clean and do not have any punctures.
• Remove Accessories: Remove any custom spoilers/racks that you feel might get damaged during the trip.
• Wipe Glass Surfaces: Another factor is the cleaning of the windows to enable inspection to be done easily and within a shorter time frame.

Take Photos for Documentation

It means that you should use your phone to capture photos of all parts of your car. Closely incorporate the angles of the struts of the bumpers, the doors, and the roof. The images should be time-stamped to easily show they were not tampered with before capture. 

These images should then be safely archived as proofs in case your package or products were damaged during the mode of transport. It reduces tension knowing that you have recorded all the information down.

Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues

Check for any signs of leakage of oil or any other fluids before getting into the car. The above carrier may not accept a vehicle that leaks. Make sure that the equipment is in proper working condition in areas that could cause problems during loading and unloading. 

Ensure that you are starting with a fully charged lawn battery and that your lawn mower has been securely erected. Inform your shipper about any outliers or peculiarities that might be of their concern. Spot leaks, secure equipment, and share quirks with your shipper before loading.

Prepare Important Documents

The proper documentation is necessary while shipping your car in order to avoid any complications.

Document	Purpose	Provided By	Needed For
Title or Lien	Proves ownership or lender permission	Owner or Bank	Legal verification
Insurance Proof	Confirms the car is insured	Insurance Agent	Liability coverage
Photo ID	Identifies the vehicle’s owner	You	Identity verification
Bill of Lading	Shipping contract with condition notes	Carrier	Shipment and inspection

Disable the Alarm System

Whenever you plan a car transport, it is recommended that you turn off your car alarm so as to avoid beeping when in the middle of a journey. An alarm that is set can cause delays in delivery, other than being annoying to the drivers. 

However, if disabling is not feasible, the best thing to do is to provide clear instructions to the carrier. Make sure that they understand how to switch it off or reset it. To achieve this, we simplify this step to make the transport as easy as possible.

Leave Only 1/4 Tank of Fuel

It is recommended to have the fuel level a little less than one-fourth of the tank’s capacity before crossing the seas. It will add extra mass, which is bad for handling, and in extreme cases, it can pose a danger as well. Reducing the use of fuel makes your car to become safer and easier to transport. 

Less fuel promotes safer and more convenient vehicle transportation. Due to this, most auto transporters suggest low fuel for compliance reasons. Why so, you will only use it for loading and offloading, that is the extent of the need. Ship lighter, ship safer: a quarter tank is the rule.

Remove Toll Tags and Parking Passes

The electronic tags and passes may also get charged accidentally in the absence of proper removal.

Things to Remove Before Transport

• Toll Tags: It can scan as well as charge during the journey.
• Parking Passes: May get lost or even be stolen.
• EZ Passes: Often scanned while the truck is passing under the toll sensors.
• Stickers: Reusable or otherwise, stickers, particularly individual stickers, should not be added if not needed.
• Custom Badges: Stored appropriately in a manner that they cannot be damaged or taken by unauthorized persons.

Confirm Pickup and Delivery Details

Ensure the pickup time, the place, and the person who will hand over the car keys. Verify the contact number of the carrier driver and his or her name. And in case you are unable to receive the delivery, provide your contact information for someone who will be there to receive it. 

One should ask for the expected delivery time to avoid any misunderstandings. All in all, the regular communication is effective in avoiding a number of problems that have the potential to surface at the last moment. Verify information for seamless collection and distribution.

Conclusion

Both of them suggest being proactive to avoid unfavorable situations with undesirable car transport. Of course, some of you may be moving your car or sending it to be in a car show, which would definitely require good prepping. 

Specialty Hauling Svcs. cares for every car like they were very valuable possessions of theirs by paying attention to the finest detail. They have low ground clearance, and their trucks are enclosed, which makes them suitable for businesses that deal with classic or luxury cars. 

In any case, because many cars are considered delicate, enclosed car shipping should often be considered for their protection. When handed the responsibility of assisting in a core task, choosing the right service can make a huge difference. 

FAQs

When should I arrange for my car to be shipped?

One to two weeks in advance would be ideal so as to have flexible availability and reasonable cost.

Should I clear out my vehicle prior to shipping?

Yes, all personal belongings are for security reasons, and the general policy on weights.

Should I wash my car prior to its pickup?

Indeed, a clean car is beneficial when it comes to inspection and documentation of any existing damage.

Which documents are required to transport my vehicle?

Some of the documents required include: Title/lien, Insurance proof, photo ID, and Bill of Lading.

Why maintain just a 1/4 tank of fuel in the vehicle?

To lessen the load capacity and prevent possible damage during transport.

Is it required to turn off the alarm?

Yes, which would prevent what might have been a disruption to the transport process, either due to factors such as mechanical failure or battery drain.