Auto Transport Tips: Shipping a Non-Running Vehicle
A non-running vehicle can be a real pain to transport for some people, mainly because – you know – it’s not running. Inoperative vehicles account for a good chunk of all the vehicles shipped every single day, though of course not as many non-ops are shipped as vehicles that are fully running and operational.
If you need transportation services for a vehicle that is not running, make sure you tell your auto transport representative and let them know what is going on with it. For instance, if your vehicle has a dead battery, go buy a new battery – the $50 you spend on a new battery will save you $150-$250 in non-op shipping fees.
Most vehicles that do not run only need some minor maintenance or repair, which can save you a lot of money come transport time. Of course, some vehicles are just plain inoperable, so make sure you know which your vehicle is before you ship it.
Make sure to tell your auto transport representative right off the bat whether or not your vehicle is running. They’ll likely ask you, and if you fill out a quote request form – like ours, for instance – you’ll likely have the option of selecting whether or not your vehicle is running. It’s a tiny yet incredibly important detail in the auto transport world, because not all carriers can transport a non-running vehicle.
If a vehicle does not start or run, a winch will be required in order to load and unload it, and not all auto transportation companies have a winch attached to their truck. A winch is not standard, and while plenty of auto transportation companies use them, some don’t. They can be a hassle, weigh a lot, and generally aren’t used very often, so a lot of drivers just forego the entire thing and leave it off their truck.
If your representative hires a carrier without a winch to transport your non-running vehicle, you’re going to have some problems, namely the fact that the carrier can’t load it and basically just wasted an entire trip – something they really don’t like doing.
Knowing what’s wrong with your vehicle and telling your shipping company off the bat your vehicle is not running are two things that will save you a lot of money in the long run. Even if your vehicle isn’t running because of a problem you cannot fix right away, let your shipping company know of any damages or leaks, as they’ll be able to incorporate that information into the quote you get and make sure everything goes smoothly for you and the carrier.
If you’re interested in talking with someone about shipping a vehicle, give us a call. Our agents are standing by and can help answer questions, get you a free quote, and more. You can also fill out our free online auto transport quote request form and get a free, no-obligation, no-hassle quote right away.
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.
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