Shipping More Successfully

3 Steps Vital To Moving Your Vehicle Cross-Country

22 January 2018

Isabella Lynch

Are you thinking about moving to the other side of the country but you don't want to drive there in your car? Are you reluctant at the thought of leaving your vehicle behind when you go? Fortunately, there are more options besides driving the vehicle yourself and leaving it behind. While you could hire a friend or relative to do the driving for you, a better option will be to pay a company to ship it to your new home. But, just like anything else that gets packed up and moved, there are things you need to do to prepare your vehicle first. Some of the most important ones include:

Take multiple photos of every angle: In order to get the best possible photographs, it's best if you wash your vehicle beforehand. Once you've done that, get out your phone or digital camera and take pictures from as many angles as possible, including any dings or scratches that already exist. While it's not common for a car shipping company to damage a vehicle in transit, accidents do still happen. If someone runs into the transport truck or some other unforeseen accident should happen before its arrival at your new home, you'll want some sort of photographic record that the car was in good condition when you last saw it.

Visit a mechanic: Take your vehicle in for an inspection before you ship it. If the car shipping company should happen to put your vehicle above another for transport, you don't want to have your car dripping oil or other fluids onto the vehicle below. Assuming that all is well with your vehicle, you might as well have the mechanic change or top up your fluids, including oil, brake, and power steering fluids, as applicable. 

Remove all personal belongings: A car shipping company is going to charge you based on both the size of the vehicle and its weight. Even if allowed, transporting your belongings by means other than in your vehicle may cost less. Due to the increase in cost based on weight, you should also avoid filling up the gas tank of your vehicle for some time before shipment. Filling up the tank more than about 1/4 to 1/3 full will simply result in you paying for the fuel twice: once when you put it in your vehicle and again when your vehicle is shipped. It'll be much more cost-effective to leave the tank almost empty and fill up at a gas station as soon as the vehicle arrives at the new destination.

Contact a car moving company for help.

Share