Every year, close to 30,000 Americans relocate. Whether it’s for work, school, or love, it’s vital that they bring their valuable and treasured possessions along. Otherwise, it can be a pain to buy things all over again.
One belonging that most people prefer to bring is their vehicles. Without them, it’s tough to get around. And independence is important, especially in a new setting.
If you’re moving soon, don’t put extra wear and tear on your car by DIYing the drive. Instead, have it shipped with either open or enclosed transport.
For open vs enclosed car shipping, which should you choose? Read on to find the pros and cons of each to decide.
What Is Open Car Shipping?
Open car shipping is when vehicles are placed on an open hauler, which is basically just a wire frame. These are haulers commonly used by dealerships, so you might’ve seen them before. Typically, they have two levels and can carry around 10 vehicles.
Benefits of Open Car Shipping
The majority of truck drivers are open hauler ones, so it’s not difficult to find someone who can accommodate your moving schedule. So if you’re on a tight schedule, this is the better option.
Another advantage of having so many open shipping truckers is that this keeps the prices competitive. Plus, they can transport many vehicles at once, which makes things more fuel-efficient; they’ll pass the savings onto you. This can save you some money on your move and make things less financially stressful.
More drivers also equals more time on the road. It’s more likely that you’ll get your car quicker.
Additionally, the truckers can regularly inspect their cargo. All it takes is a walk around the back, and if they spot anything wrong, they can take care of it right away.
Drawbacks of Open Car Shipping
Open car shipping might sound wonderful, but it does come with some disadvantages.
Because the vehicles are placed on a wire frame, they have no protection while in transit. Depending on the time of the year and the route, the truck may go through inclement weather such as rain, hail, and snow.
Winds can kick up debris too, so your car can get dinged up if you’re unlucky. At the very best, it’ll be dusty upon arrival.
Inclement weather can also cause delivery delays. In the worst-case scenario, things can be so bad that the trucker has to wait things out.
In addition, all the vehicles are clearly visible. Car thieves will know exactly which vehicles to steal when the time’s right.
So if you have a classic or luxury vehicle, or if you’ve just bought a new one, open car shipping may not be ideal.
What Is Enclosed Car Shipping?
Enclosed car shipping is where vehicles are transported in a hauler with walls and a roof. Depending on the trailer used, the driver might only be able to ship two or three cars at once. In any case, they can’t move as many vehicles simultaneously as with open car transport.
Benefits of Enclosed Car Shipping
Since the vehicles are fully enclosed in the hauler, this means they’re safe from outside weather. You won’t have to worry about rain leaving dirty streaks or pebbles hitting your car.
The vehicles are also completely hidden from view. Of course, thieves can get curious and pry open the hauler to discover what’s inside, but that takes time, and often, it’s not worth the risk. As a result, your car will have more security in transit.
Enclosed car shipping usually has higher insurance policy limits too, and the drivers are typically more experienced. This makes it excellent for transporting higher-end and newer vehicles.
Drawbacks of Enclosed Car Shipping
Firstly, enclosed auto transport is significantly more expensive than open shipping. In many cases, it can be double the price! There are several reasons why.
The majority of truck drivers have open trailers, so it’ll be harder to find someone for enclosed shipping. Not only that, but also, they can only transport a few cars at a time, so this makes them even more in demand. These two factors already drive prices way up.
Another factor that makes this choice more expensive is that the trailers are heavier, so the drive’s less fuel efficient. The drivers also have to make more trips since they have a lower capacity, so this will consume more gas too.
In addition, it’ll be near impossible to get a trucker for the exact date and time you want, especially if you’re moving during peak seasons. Once you’ve booked an appointment, it can take a while to get your car since there are fewer drivers on the road.
Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping: Which One’s Better?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. The option you pick will depend on several things, including your:
- Vehicle itself
- Budget
- Moving timeline
- Flexibility in receiving your vehicle
Once you’ve taken all these factors into consideration, it doesn’t hurt to shop around and request several quotes. That way, you can get an idea of what people are charging, and you can cross off any company that’s an outlier.
Get Reliable Auto Transport
Now that you know more about the pros and cons of open vs enclosed car shipping, you can make a better-informed decision on moving your vehicle.
If you have any more questions or concerns, it’s best if you address them with an auto transporter before making a final choice. That way, you’ll have more clarification and confidence in your ultimate decision.
Whether you want open or enclosed shipping, we can do either for you. Request a quote from Luxy Transport now!