Ship Lifted Trucks, Duallys & Oversized Vehicles
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Oversized Vehicle Shipping – Lifted Trucks, Duallys & Modified Vehicles
Oversized vehicles don’t fit on every carrier — and that’s where most shipping companies fall short. We’ve been matching oversized vehicles with the right carriers since 1999, and our AI-powered marketplace ensures your lifted truck, dually, or modified vehicle gets paired with a carrier who has the equipment and experience to handle it safely.
What Counts as an Oversized Vehicle?
In the auto transport industry, “oversized” refers to any vehicle that exceeds the standard dimensions a typical multi-car carrier can accommodate. Standard upper-deck clearance on an open carrier is roughly 6’8” to 7’, and the weight limit per spot is approximately 5,000–5,500 lbs. If your vehicle exceeds either threshold, it’s classified as oversized and requires special handling. Here’s what qualifies:
- Lifted Trucks — Any lift over 2–3 inches changes the height calculation. Trucks with 4–6” lifts often need bottom-deck placement; 6”+ lifts typically require flatbed.
- Duallys (DRW) — Ford F-350, Chevy 3500, Ram 3500 with dual rear wheels. The extra width and weight put them in oversized territory.
- Vehicles with Roof Racks & Cargo Boxes — Thule, Yakima, and aftermarket roof racks can add 4–8 inches of height. Cargo boxes push it even further.
- Light Bars & Bull Bars — Aftermarket bumper guards, grille guards, and LED light bars add height and can interfere with tie-down placement.
- Large SUVs — Stock-height Suburban, Excursion, Expedition EL — these barely clear standard carriers and may incur a surcharge based on weight.
- Commercial Vans — High-top conversions (Sprinter, Transit, ProMaster) almost always require flatbed or step-deck transport.
- Oversized Tires — 35”+ tires significantly increase both height and weight. 37”+ tires push most trucks beyond standard carrier limits.
Height & Weight Surcharges Explained
Oversized surcharges exist because these vehicles reduce the number of other vehicles a carrier can haul on the same trip. A lifted truck that takes up a bottom-deck-only spot means the carrier can’t stack another vehicle above it. That lost revenue is passed on as a surcharge. Here’s a breakdown:
| Modification | Typical Surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2–4” lift | $100–$150 | May still fit upper deck on some carriers |
| 4–6” lift | $150–$250 | Bottom deck only on open carriers |
| 6”+ lift / 37”+ tires | $200–$300+ | Flatbed or step-deck required |
| Dual rear wheels (dually) | $100–$200 | Width and weight surcharge |
| Roof rack / cargo box | $0 (if removed) | $100–$200 if left on |
| High-top van conversion | $200–$500 | Flatbed required; cannot fit standard carriers |
These surcharges are on top of the base shipping rate. A lifted truck shipped cross-country might run $1,400–$2,000 total (base rate + surcharge).
How to Prepare Your Oversized Vehicle
Proper preparation can save you hundreds of dollars in surcharges and reduce the risk of damage during transport. Here’s what we recommend:
- Remove Accessories — Take off roof racks, cargo boxes, bike racks, light bars, antenna toppers, and any other bolt-on parts. Every inch of height you remove could mean the difference between a standard carrier and a more expensive flatbed. Store removed items in the vehicle’s interior.
- Measure Your Vehicle — Measure from the ground to the absolute highest point — including antennas, light bars, and roof racks (if you can’t remove them). Also measure the width at the widest point, including fender flares and mirror-to-mirror. Provide these exact measurements when requesting a quote.
- Check Clearance — If your vehicle has a lift, know the exact lift height and tire size. “It has a small lift” doesn’t help — carriers need numbers. A 4-inch lift with 33-inch tires is very different from a 6-inch lift with 37s.
- Retract Mirrors — Fold side mirrors in to reduce overall width. This is especially important for towing mirrors on full-size trucks.
- Disable Alarms & Tonneau Covers — Turn off aftermarket alarms. If you have a hard tonneau cover, confirm it can be securely fastened during transit. Soft tonneau covers should be rolled up and secured.
- Document Everything — Oversized vehicles with custom paint, wraps, or aftermarket body work deserve extra documentation. Photograph every angle with timestamps before the carrier arrives.
When You Need Flatbed vs. Open Carrier
Not every oversized vehicle needs a flatbed. Here’s how to determine the right transport method:
Open Carrier (Standard)
Works for vehicles up to approximately 7’6” tall (bottom deck only) and under 8’6” wide:
- Stock duallys (F-350, 3500, etc.)
- Trucks with lifts under 4–6 inches
- Large SUVs (Suburban, Expedition)
- Vehicles with roof racks removed
Learn more about open auto transport.
Flatbed / Step-Deck
Required for vehicles exceeding standard carrier dimensions:
- Trucks with 6”+ lift and 37”+ tires
- High-top van conversions (Sprinter, Transit)
- Vehicles over 7’6” tall
- Vehicles over 8’6” wide
- Vehicles over 10,000 lbs
Flatbed rates are 30–50% higher than open carrier but offer more flexibility for truly oversized loads.
Why Ship Oversized Vehicles with Us?
Oversized vehicles are where carrier selection matters most. The wrong carrier shows up, can’t load your truck, and you’re back to square one with a wasted day and no closer to delivery. We prevent that by matching your vehicle’s exact dimensions with carriers who have the right equipment:
- ✔ 27+ Years of Oversized Vehicle Experience
- ✔ AI Carrier Matching Based on Vehicle Dimensions
- ✔ Open, Flatbed, Step-Deck & Enclosed Options
- ✔ Transparent Surcharge Pricing — No Surprises
- ✔ Fully Insured & Vetted Carriers
- ✔ Dedicated Support for Complex Shipments
Oversized Vehicle Shipping FAQs
Oversized vehicle surcharges typically range from $100 to $300 on top of the standard shipping rate. The exact amount depends on how far the vehicle exceeds standard dimensions. Vehicles over 7 feet tall or over 8 feet wide may require flatbed transport, which can add $200 to $500 depending on the route.
Any vehicle that exceeds standard auto carrier clearances — typically over 6 feet 8 inches tall or over 7,000 lbs — is considered oversized. This includes lifted trucks with oversized tires, duallys, vehicles with roof racks or cargo boxes, large SUVs with aftermarket modifications, and commercial vans with high-top conversions.
Yes, we strongly recommend removing roof racks, cargo boxes, bike racks, light bars, bull bars, and any other bolt-on accessories before shipping. These items add height and width that can prevent your vehicle from fitting on a standard carrier, potentially forcing a more expensive flatbed. Removing them saves you money and reduces the risk of damage.
It depends on the lift size. Trucks with lifts under 4 inches can usually fit on a standard open carrier. Lifts of 4-6 inches may fit on the bottom deck only. Lifts over 6 inches, or trucks with 37-inch or larger tires, typically require flatbed or step-deck transport. Provide your vehicle's exact height when requesting a quote so we can match you with the right carrier.
Standard multi-car carriers have a clearance of approximately 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet on the upper deck, and 7 feet to 7 feet 6 inches on the lower deck. The exact clearance varies by carrier. If your vehicle exceeds these dimensions, flatbed or step-deck transport is required. Always measure from the ground to the highest point of your vehicle, including any accessories.
Get a Quote for Your Oversized Vehicle
Tell us your vehicle’s dimensions and let our AI marketplace find the right carrier — whether you need a standard open carrier, flatbed, or enclosed transport.
Get a Free Oversized Vehicle Quote