Shipping luxury cars in a shipping container

When shipping luxury cars, it is imperative not to hire just any car shipping company and not to request for just the common method of car shipping. Luxury cars are meant to be transported exclusively on board a closed and locked steel container. This is called the enclosed method of car shipping.

Luxury cars such as a Rolls Royce, Porsche and Hummer deserve only the best care when being transported, primarily because a tiny dint or dent on its finish means hundreds of dollars in repainting. These very expensive cars deserve the more expensive method of car shipping.

What is enclosed car shipping? From its name it is quite clear that this method is the opposite of the more common shipping method, which is open car shipping.

In open car shipping, automobiles are placed on top of a double-deck vehicle carrier truck, which is about 75-ft long. Cars are safely strapped and fastened to make sure they won’t fall off or cause the truck to tip to its side. Yet despite the safety measures, cars are left exposed to all kinds of external hazards or potential danger. Although there have not been any reports of loss or major accidents related to open car shipping, car owners typically complain that their cars have “aged” or become rusted after the transport.

If a car owner was willing to pay a little extra, enclosed car shipping is better preferred. When shipping luxury cars, however, there is no other choice. Enclosed or closed car shipping is about 75% more expensive.

Another method of transporting a vehicle is by rail. There is exclusivity in rail car shipping since only one car can normally fit inside the train cargo space but the train company does not allow unaccompanied shipment. The owner must take the train trip alongside the automobile, since train companies are primarily movers of people and passengers. The rail company will not physically move your car during boarding or moving out.

The downside, however, to rail car shipping is that it goes through just one specific fixed route. The most popular rail company that ships automobiles is the Amtrak Auto Train Service. It transports cars only from Virginia to Florida and back. Smaller train companies follow different routes.

When shipping luxury cars, always ask your car transporter for other services they offer. Some companies have steel vehicle shipping containers that are equipped with climate control. Others place protective blanket while the car is already safe inside the container. Some car shipping companies allow you to put in some items inside your car so that they get a free ride. Others limit the number of items inside your car during the transit, including only the essentials, such as tools, car jack and spare tire.

Before your car is hauled or driven inside the container, make sure to remove detachable racks and antennas, turn off all alarms, and drain the fuel tank to only a fourth. Be always ready, prepared and willing to spend additional dollars when shipping luxury cars to anywhere in the country or around the world.