Dedicated to providing affordable car shipping rates, the experienced Five Star Car Shipping team ships all types of vehicles. In addition to specific shipping options, characteristics of your vehicle can also influence total cost.
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Type of Vehicle
The size, weight, condition and worth of a vehicle can affect total car shipping rates in variety of ways. Aside from limiting the total number of vehicles that can safely fit onto a truck, possible ways the type of vehicle you own can affect costs include:
- Size – can pose loading and safety challenges
- Shape – unusual shapes, possibly from a custom modification, can be a difficult to secure
- Weight – increases tolls and cargo limitations
Although most vehicle characteristics can be worked around and associated costs are directed to individual owners, consistently higher taxes and costs may affect a company’s general baseline quotes.
Size and Weight
Larger cars, such as trucks and SUVs, weigh and take up more room on the transport. The exact width and length of the vehicle can reduce the total number of cars that can fit on a transport; not limited to trucks, this can also include cars that are exceptionally long or wide by design or modification. Oversized vehicles are a challenge to safely secure, especially if the size causes overlap into spaces that would otherwise contain a smaller vehicle.
Larger vehicles may also limit the transport load because of their weight. Truck transports are required to stop at weigh station checkpoints, set along major highways by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Checkpoints are used to determine transport taxes/tolls and ensure that the total weight does not exceed a limit established by the DOT.
The inability to transport at full capacity combined with increased taxes, ultimately leads to overall higher shipping rates.
Paradoxically, smaller cars allow for maximum cargo, while remaining within the weight limits. Most transport companies move a combination of different vehicle types, makes and models.
Condition of Vehicle
Most auto-shippers only accept working cars. At Five Star Car Shipping, we ship non-running vehicles; possible added fees are associated with towing and potential difficulties loading the car on/off the transport.
Worth
Certain vehicles are more expensive to ship because of their worth. Specialty car such as antiques and classics, custom builds, exotics and new automobiles cost more to ship for a variety of reasons:
Enclosed transport – for maximum protection against damages from exposure to inclement weather, road debris or people walking by while the transport is parked, these smaller trucks operate at a lower capacity and cost more than open transports
Handling – certain cars, such as the aforementioned specialty vehicles, require the expertise of drivers and handlers who understand the most effective and least risky ways to secure the car to the transport
Lifts – acquiring and training operators to use up-to-date technologies such as a hydraulics system that keeps the car level during on/off loading
Insurance – even though the odds of damages are small, almost all owners opt for extra insurance coverage, the cost of which pales in comparison to repairing even a minor scratch or dent on a specialty car
Companies with years of expertise often appreciate the sentimental and monetary value of specialty cars and know the most efficient ways to ship any vehicle.
Vehicles and Rates
Many factors influence car shipping rates, including the type of vehicle you own. The team at Five Star Car Shipping, assesses all the characteristics of your vehicle and works with you to determine the best shipping options.
The dedicated staff of Five Star Car Shipping employs years of experience and knowledge to transport your car safely, securely and at the most affordable means possible.
