| Transporting a vehicle over a long distance such as | | | | will be shipped on the top rack. |
| during an interstate move is a nerve-wracking | | | | - Straight-through or storage: Again, in a perfect |
| experience. It is even more traumatic when you are | | | | world your car will be picked up at the door and |
| shipping a classic sports car or other valuable vehicle. | | | | delivered immediately to its destination. Some |
| In addition to the cost, such automobiles often have | | | | shippers take cars to a storage yard until they have |
| sentimental value that makes them irreplaceable. | | | | enough vehicles headed in the right direction. While |
| Or maybe you have purchased a collector vehicle | | | | the car is being stored it is out of your control and |
| long distance, such as over the Internet. Some sellers | | | | could be damaged or stolen. |
| may not have contact with a reliable auto transport | | | | Prepare the car for transport |
| service and you are on your own when it comes to | | | | There are some basic steps to prepare for car |
| finding a way to get that car to you. | | | | shipping. These are a good idea for any vehicle but |
| Start with an experienced car shipping company | | | | are vital for an expensive or collectible car. |
| It's hard to find an auto transport company through | | | | - Wash and inspect: Carefully document any damage |
| word of mouth. Although car shipping is growing in | | | | to the vehicle before shipping. Take pictures so you |
| popularity, it is still something new to the average | | | | have an unbiased record of the car's condition |
| person. There are a few things to look for when | | | | - Remove personal items: Many classic cars have |
| shopping for the right shipper. | | | | aftermarket additions that can be removed for |
| - Experienced only: You want a shipper who not only | | | | transport. Anything that can be easily removed |
| has been in business a long time but has extensive | | | | should be so nothing gets lost or stolen. |
| practice in shipping classic vehicles. For companies just | | | | - Have 1/4 tank of gas: There needs to be a little |
| starting out, let them learn on someone else's | | | | gas in the tank just to get the vehicle on and off the |
| cheaper vehicle. Your car deserves only experienced | | | | trailer, but too much is a safety hazard. If your car |
| shippers. | | | | doesn't operate, obviously you don't need gas, but |
| - Check the insurance: Ask about the shipper's | | | | there will be an extra charge for winching your |
| insurance in the unlikely event your vehicle is | | | | vehicle on and off the trailer. |
| damaged in transit. | | | | For the owner of a classic car, shipping is like putting |
| - Type of trailer: Optimally you want your auto | | | | your child on an airplane alone. By using a reputable |
| transported in a closed trailer to protect it from the | | | | shipper and taking some basic precautions, both you |
| elements, road hazards, vandalism, and theft. If the | | | | and your baby will survive the experience. |
| car is to be shipped on an open trailer, make sure it | | | | |