Prep Up Before Transporting A Vehicle

For first time car shipping customers, there are things you must know when preparing your car for the pick up. Did you know that you have to get your car squeaky clean before the ride? Well, if you don’t, here’s why.

As the shipping company driver comes to pick up your car for the transport, he will investigate your car for dents and damages. He will then have you sign a Bill of Lading as a record of your car’s condition before the actual transport. As you receive your car later on during the drop off, there will be another investigation to check the condition of your car.

Another Bill of Lading will be signed to confirm that your car has arrived in exactly the same condition it was in during pick up. Sign this Bill of Lading only when you are sure that indeed the car shipping company has done its job well and that your car did not get damaged or dented along the way.

Getting your car cleaned before the pick up will make the investigation easier and more reliable. You are sure that the driver won’t miss a single dent or scratch so that the Bill of Lading is truthful and reliable.

Before you hand over your car to be investigated, it will also be helpful if you first take a picture of your car from all angles. This may seem too tedious but t is never too much to make sure your car will get the care and protection it deserves. As a consumer, it is your right to make sure everything is done in order and all for your money’s worth.

Here are other ways to prep up your car before the transport.

Drain your fuel to only a fourth of the tank. This is just enough gasoline it needs to be driven on to the top of a carrier truck or onto a barge or vessel, and then off to the designated drop-off point. Another reason for this is to save costs. One of the factors that determine how much car shipping will cost is the weight of a car. Draining your fuel can lighten your car a bit.

Before the pick up, make sure, too, that you have turned off all alarms. If for some reason your car alarm goes off anytime during the transport while on top the carrier truck, there’s no way for the driver to turn it off. This can drain your battery quite significantly.

Remove any attachments such as a bicycle rack. This can damage other cars alongside your vehicle during the transport. They can also make it difficult for your car to fit into the slot. Make sure also to empty your car from any items inside the backseat. Your car shipping company cannot be responsible for any loss inside the car since these are not counted as part of the shipment.

Lastly, tell the driver if your car has any problem. This will help him determine any need to use a tow service or lift if you car is not in the best running condition.