Auto Shipping FAQ: Is Specialty Shipping Available?
Generally, when you ship a vehicle you end up pretty much with what you get in terms of the carrier that arrives. A lot of people have little knowledge of how the industry works, so most just assume that a carrier is a carrier and they’re all the same, when the opposite is actually the truth. Car shipping carriers come in many different shapes, sizes and configurations, with the most common being open auto transport trucks. Open trucks can haul anywhere from 3-10 vehicles (generally ten) and are open to the elements – hence the name “open transport truck.” Since they can haul upwards of ten vehicles at a time, prices per-vehicle plummet while the carrier is still able to make ends meet, which is great for you.
But open transportation is not the only method that is available to people who need auto transport services. One of the more common “specialty” haulers out there is the enclosed transportation truck, which is used to transport high-end or expensive vehicles that cannot handle such long amounts of time being exposed to the elements. As a specialty hauler, demand for enclosed transportation is not as high as the open option, so it tends to be a bit harder to find and also a bit more expensive for you. Any auto transport broker can find an enclosed carrier for you, but generally not as quickly as they can find an open hauler.
Another common specialty vehicle shipping method is the flatbed hauler, which is even harder to find and less utilized than the open carrier. Flatbed trucks are designed to haul vehicles that cannot fit on a standard, open carrier or in an enclosed container. Usually the cargo that flatbed haulers ship are things such as massively lifted pickup trucks, or construction equipment or oversize cargo vans and utility trailers. Motorhomes, too – really, if it’s too large to fit on a standard hauler, it’s going to need flatbed transportation. These are really the only specialty modes of shipping a vehicle available to you, but you can always talk to a live agent for more information.
If you’re interested in shipping a vehicle and need to get started, take a minute to fill out our free online auto transport quote request form. When you do, you’ll see a free quote right away, instantly! You can also give us a call any time at 800-930-7417 to speak to one of our live agents. They can answer your questions, give you a quote over the phone, book a shipment, and help you get started on your auto transport journey.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
- When to go with an Enclosed Transport - October 2, 2023
- Understanding California’s EV Mandate - August 1, 2023
- Top Reasons Auto Shippers Are Delayed - January 9, 2023
