The Auto Writer

By George Rodman

The following represents a guest article for The Auto Writer blog.

With fuel prices throughout the US continuing to climb, it’s becoming more and more expensive to drive extended distances. Whether it’s a cross country move, or taking a family vacation, the high cost of gas is making people hesitant to drive themselves. As a result, shipping a car to its destination is becoming an increasingly popular means of transport. Often times it’s possible to save money by finding a transporter who has open space for an additional car. By a trailer taking on another car, it makes the cost of fuel cheaper and the savings is passed on to the customer.

Prepare Your Vehicle For Shipment

Before you can leave your car with an auto shipper though, there are still a few preliminary steps that should be taken. First off, it’s important that you inform the transporter of any mechanical issues with your car that could delay the shipment process. Your car won’t be driven too much while being transported, but if the car won’t start when it’s being unloaded or the brakes give out when backing up, there could be some huge problems that delay the car’s arrival date. You should always be sure the battery has a full charge and the car has enough gas to get on and off the trailer a few times if needed.

Check For Leaks And Document Possible Problems

Also, if there are any leaks in the car you should always let the transporter know beforehand. A car with leaks should never be placed on the top of a trailer, as it could end up dripping onto a vehicle below.

For a few weeks before your car is scheduled to be shipped, you should keep a detailed eye on anything that may be wrong with the car and document it for your transporter. The last thing you want to find out is your car was the vehicle that had problems on the trailer and caused delays for everybody else!

Examine Your Car For Damage Before Shipping

Next you will want to exam your car for any existing damage. This includes taking pictures of the cars dings or scratches, along with making a written record describing the car’s exact condition. People don’t realize that just because the car has been loaded onto the transporter’s trailer, it can still be loaded/unloaded several times before it reaches its destination. Other cars have to be picked up and dropped off, and sometimes accidents do happen. A transporter’s insurance should cover any damage to the car caused during shipping, but it’s still a good idea to have a record of the cars condition in the event a claim is being contested.

Lastly, you need to prepare your car for loading and unloading. It’s a wise move to eliminate as many potential risks that could cause damage for your car. This includes little things like folding your mirrors back, retracting your antenna, and closing your windows. If you have a convertible, its also recommended that you close your top and seal it off as best you can. Any removable objects should be removed as well. This includes exterior items like fog lights, spoilers, emblems along with interior items like your stereo faceplate, radar detector, etc. Another very common step that people often overlook is disabling their alarm. Being loaded and unloaded frequently, along with the bumps the car encounters when riding on a trailer, can very easily trigger the alarm. For your transporter’s sake, it’s a good idea to disable or at least give them detailed instructions on how to deactivate it if it were to go off.

Do Your Part To Ensure A Good Shipment

Always remember that the more you prepare your car for shipment, the more likely it will be to arrive in the same condition you left it. Transporters usually do a great job of taking care of their cargo but they can’t control little bumps and bruises that happen along the way. The more potential hazards you can eliminate, the better. Neither you nor the driver can control everything, but the more preparation you do before hand will greatly increase your chances of having a smooth and successful shipping experience.

Author Information

Copyright 2008 – George Rodman is with uShip.com, an auction style marketplace for Car Transport.