When it comes to transporting your vehicle on a car carrier, proper preparation is crucial for a smooth and successful shipment. Whether you’re relocating, selling your car, or sending it for repairs, preparing your vehicle properly can help protect it from potential damage during transportation. In this guide, we will provide you with essential tips and guidelines on how to prepare your vehicle effectively for transportation on a car carrier. From documenting the condition of your car to removing personal items and ensuring proper insurance coverage, following these steps will help ensure a safe and worry-free journey for your vehicle.
Clean Your Vehicle Thoroughly
It’s important to give your vehicle some TLC before shipping it off, regardless of whether it’s being transported in an enclosed or open trailer. Why? Well, for starters, it’ll be easier to spot any scratches, dings, or other imperfections on a clean and shiny car. This is crucial when it comes to documenting the pre-existing condition of your vehicle and protecting yourself in case any claims arise down the road. While a full detail isn’t necessarily required, washing the outside of your car and conducting your own inspection as soon as possible is highly recommended. And don’t forget about the inside! Vacuum the upholstery, carpets, and car mats, and wipe down all hard surfaces. By taking these extra steps, you’re ensuring that your car arrives in the best possible condition and that you have peace of mind throughout the shipping process.
Document the Condition of Your Car
Ensuring your vehicle’s safety during transportation is of paramount importance. To ensure that your car arrives at its destination without any damage, conducting a thorough pre-transportation inspection is crucial. As your driver performs the inspection, they will document any scratches, dents, imperfections, or paint chips that your vehicle might already have. This way, you’ll know what the preexisting condition of your car was before the move. Request a copy of the inspection report from your driver or snap a photo of it for your record. By doing so, you can have peace of mind knowing that the condition report will be a reference should any surprises occur during transportation.
Secure or Remove Loose Parts
If your vehicle has detachable parts or accessories, such as spoilers, bike racks, or antennas, secure them properly or remove them altogether. This prevents potential damage caused by shifting or detachment during transportation.
Check for Leaks
Before you ship your car, taking the necessary steps to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience is important. This includes getting a maintenance check to ensure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. One of the main things to look out for during this check is any fluid leaks. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your car is leak-free before it goes on the transport vehicle. Not only will this ensure the safety of your vehicle, but it will also prevent any leakage onto other vehicles during transportation. If you spot a leak, don’t hesitate to notify the transportation company so they can take the necessary precautions to protect your car.
Remove Your Valuables from Your Car
It’s essential to remember to gather all valuable items and personal belongings beforehand. No one wants to lose their prized possessions forever, especially with no compensation or reimbursement. Car-carrying companies typically don’t offer protection for belongings inside the car, so removing any valuables before the car gets moved is crucial. Although gathering everything up may seem like a hassle, taking this step will save you from any future headaches, ensuring you keep your precious belongings safe and secure.
Disable Car Alarms
When it comes to ensuring a smooth transportation experience, disabling your car’s alarm is a crucial step to take. Not only can a triggered alarm cause stress and anxiety for the car carrier driver, but it can also make other drivers feel uneasy. To save time and avoid any unnecessary interruptions during the journey, it’s always wise to disable your vehicle’s alarm before hitting the road.
Separate Your Car Key from Your Other Keys to Give to Your Car Carrier Driver
By separating your car key from the rest of your keys, you guarantee that your car carrier driver will have access to your vehicle without the added stress of searching for the correct key. While your driver may remind you of this fact, taking proactive steps can save you both time and energy in the long run.
Verify Insurance Coverage
When finding a vehicle shipping company, it’s essential to be fully informed about your insurance coverage. Unfortunately, some insurance policies specifically exclude auto shipping from their coverage. To avoid any unpleasant surprises during transit, it’s best to contact your insurance company and inquire about your policy’s coverage for shipping. It’s always wise to consider extra protection for your vehicle, ensuring peace of mind throughout the shipping process.
Speed’s Towing Services Will Ensure Your Car Is Transported with the Best Care
When it comes to transporting your specialty vehicle, you want to make sure that you’re entrusting it to the best. Look no further than Speed’s Towing near West Linn for your auto transport needs. Our knowledgeable team has years of auto transport experience and knows how to make your road trip as stress-free as possible. We take special care to avoid any damages to your vehicle, treating it with the same level of care as we would our own. Our car carriers are equipped with a long bed and air dump suspension system to make loading a breeze, and an eight-point tie-down system ensures that your vehicle stays secure during transport. For those extra special vehicles, we also offer enclosed transport options. Our goal is to make the transportation of your major investment as smooth and easy as possible.
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- Emergency Roadside Assistance Services (Lockout Tools, Flat Tires, Accident Recovery Services)
- Professional Towing Service
- Light- and Medium-Duty Towing
- Flatbed Towing
- 10 Light-Duty Wrecker Service
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