If you are moving cross country or to another state or country, the professional auto transport companies can handle transporting your vehicle safely and smoothly. These companies have carriers that carry your car in style with many other vehicles and deliver it to the new destination.
If you are in the US, then Ship A Car provides the best car transport service. SAC has experience of 30 years in the transport & shipping sector. They offer open and enclosed carrier services. You need to choose options that choose your needs and budget. However, you will also need to prep your car for transportation.
How to prep your car for the auto shipping company?
Before the trucker from the auto shipping company arrives to load your car, it is necessary to prep it for the long journey.
Car washing from inside & outside
A clean car will allow you to notice existing scratches and dings. It will help you identify any new dent that can happen during transit. Wash the exterior of the car thoroughly to eliminate any dust and dirt buildup. During transit, the car gets jostled therefore if there is anything left inside it can toss around.
Remove air-fresheners, water bottles, sunglasses, paperwork, electronics, supporting cables, and charges. After removing the clutter, wipe the interiors. You get a clean car delivered at the new destination all ready to take you for a drive.
Don’t remove the emergency kit, spare tire, license plate, and emergency jack kit from the car.
Document the damage
After the car is clean, note down the pre-existing damage in the exterior. You can take pictures of the discolorations, paint chips, scratches, and dents. It doesn’t matter, if you choose the expensive enclosed carrier, the possibility of your car getting damaged is high.
Taking photos of the entire vehicle makes it easy to file a condition report on delivery. The visuals serve as proof if you need to make claims and the auto transport agency denies the responsibility for any damage during transit.
Perform necessary maintenance
If your car operates properly, then check the following before shipment.
- Check undercarriage for leaks and ensure to repair it before moving day.
- Over or under-inflated tires are risky while loading and unloading, so ensure to check their inflation.
- Ensure that the battery is charged fully.
- Top up the fluids like brake, oil, washer, power steering, and coolant.
- Write down the mileage during pickup and delivery.
Check the gas tank
Leave the gas tank a quarter full, to avoid the extra weight that can increase the shipping cost. Leave sufficient fuel to allow the truckers to drive it and off the carrier.
Remove extra accessories
Accessories like bike racks, luggage racks, custom spoilers, retractable antennas, and rooftop boxes must be removed or secured before car shipment.
Have another keyset ready
The trucker may need a keyset for driving the car on and off the carrier. So, have another set prepared to give to the trucker.
Your car is all prepped for shipment. The trucker will call before arriving. The trucker will inspect the car along with you and make notes of damages. You will have to sign the bill of lading, which are a legal agreement and a receipt.
