Prepare your car for shipping with
Transport Masters USA

Have a pleasant car shipping experience by checking out the car shipping checklist.

Checklist

Vehicle Shipping Checklist

Shipping your vehicle can be a seamless and stress-free experience when you’re well-prepared. Use this shipping checklist to ensure everything is in order before your vehicle is picked up for transport. Following these steps will help ensure your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and securely.

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Car Shipping Checklist
  1. Wash Your Car: Clean your vehicle inside and out to make it easier to spot any pre-existing damage.
  2. Document the Condition: Take photos of your car from all angles, including close-ups of any existing damage.
  3. Remove Personal Belongings: Empty your car of all personal items to ensure safety and compliance.
  4. Check for Leaks: Inspect for any fluid leaks and address them before shipping.
  5. Disable Alarms: Turn off or disable any alarms to avoid unnecessary disruptions during transport.
  1. Check Tire Pressure: Ensure your tires are properly inflated.
  2. Top Off Fluids: Refill essential fluids like engine oil, coolant, and transmission fluid.
  3. Battery Check: Ensure your battery is fully charged and securely fastened.
  4. Reduce Fuel Levels: Keep your fuel tank at about 1/4 to 1/2 full to minimize weight.
  1. Provide Accurate Contact Information: Ensure the transport company has your correct phone number and email.
  2. Review Insurance Coverage: Verify the insurance coverage provided by the shipping company.
  3. Gather Necessary Documents: Keep your vehicle’s registration, insurance information, and transport agreements ready.
  4. Confirm Pick-Up and Delivery Details: Double-check the address, time, and specific instructions.
  1. Inspect with the Driver: Be present for the initial inspection and sign the Bill of Lading.
  2. Provide Spare Keys: Give the driver a copy of the keys for safe handling.
  3. Ask Questions: Clarify any concerns with the driver before your car is loaded.
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Bonus Tips

  • Plan Ahead: Book your transport early to avoid delays.
  • Communication: Maintain open communication with your dispatcher for real-time updates.
  • Stay Flexible: Allow for slight timing adjustments in case of traffic or weather delays.

Checklist for Car Shipping

Some things to ensure your car is prepared to ship to another city

  • Thorough Cleaning Consider detailed cleaning of your car before shipping to spot dents, damages, and scratches at the delivery.
  • Leaks and Mechanical Issues Look for any leakages or mechanical issues to avoid any issues during the relocation. If there are any, report them to the driver.
  • Disable Alarms Keeping your alarm on can cause disturbance during relocation. Ensure to turn the alarm off for a smooth shipping experience.
  • Battery check Take note of your car battery. Make sure to keep the car battery to full and securely mounted on the battery bracket.
  • Tires check Your car tires should be well inflated to avoid issues during loading or unloading your car.
  • Remove Attachments Be wary of putting any such accessories in your car that run the risk of falling off. Remove them to avoid losing them upon delivery.
  • Take Note of the Mileage Document the mileage before handling your car to the driver so that he won’t be taking your car for the joy ride.
  • Fold Side Mirrors Keeping your side mirrors open can damage them. So, it’s best to fold in your side mirrors to avoid any damage during vehicle shipping.

Shipping Checklist (Summary)

Task

Completed
Wash your vehicle
Take photos of the car’s condition
Remove personal belongings
Check for leaks
Disable alarms
Check tire pressure
Top off essential fluids
Charge the battery
Reduce fuel levels
Verify insurance coverage
Provide accurate contact details
Confirm pick-up/delivery information
Be present for vehicle inspection
Provide spare keys to the driver

One-stop vehicle shipping.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.

 

The cost of shipping a car depends on a range of factors and market trends going on at the time. The factors that together decide the shipping cost of a car include the size and weight of the vehicle, the condition of the car, transport type, and lastly, the shipping distance.

Yes. By booking Transport Masters USA, you never have to worry about any damages being caused to your car as we offer complete insurance coverage. It is included in our price quote and there are no additional charges.

Transport Masters USA offers a live tracking feature for you to know about your vehicle during the relocation process. It will keep you informed about the current location of your vehicle.

The moment you book us, you’ll get an estimated time from our specialists and drivers to let you know the estimated time to deliver your vehicle. The time depends on the distance. Still, our drivers always try to deliver the vehicle before the given estimated time.

Yes, you can keep your personal items in the car but only up to a certain limit. You are allowed to keep the personal items weighing around 100 lbs in a secure suitcase or a box. Let us know if you intend to keep more personal items to avoid last-minute chaos.

 

No, we don’t want you to pay us anything in advance becasue we are Best Auto Transport Company. You only have to make the final payment when we deliver your vehicle at your preferred location and that too safely. Get a price quote from us and keep the final payment ready.

Indeed, the overall mass of your cargo significantly influences shipping rates, as carriers have a set cargo limit they can transport. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), which includes the cargo, trailer, and carrier, must not exceed 80,000 lbs. For instance, if a truck combined with a car hauler has a total weight of 35,000 lbs, the carrier can effectively carry an additional 45,000 lbs of cargo. Hence, shipping a pick-up truck weighing 7,000 lbs would use up more of the available cargo space compared to a 3,000 lbs sedan. Consequently, the pick-up truck owner would incur higher charges from the car shipping company due to the additional weight.

Utilizing an enclosed car shipping trailer provides your vehicle with optimal protection from environmental elements and significantly lowers the risk of any damage. However, due to their heavier weight, these trailers can carry fewer cars compared to their open counterparts. Consequently, to ensure profitability, auto shipping companies typically need to charge a higher rate per vehicle when using enclosed shipping methods.

The most economical option for domestic car shipping typically involves the use of an open-air trailer. Furthermore, opting for terminal-to-terminal delivery can enhance cost savings and provide the most affordable rate when calculating car shipping costs. On the other hand, options like upgrading to an enclosed carrier transport, choosing door-to-door delivery, or arranging transportation for a non-running vehicle are likely to increase the overall cost.

The cost of domestic car shipping can significantly vary, influenced by a multitude of factors. When determining your shipping costs, these are the crucial elements Transport Masters USA takes into account:

Distance – The most significant factor contributing to car shipping cost is the travel distance. Almost all carriers charge per mile, with rates adjusted based on demand, fuel expenses, and other factors. For instance, a carrier might charge $2 per mile for distances below 500 miles and decrease the rate to $1.50 per mile for distances exceeding 500 miles.

Weight – The standard gross vehicle weight limit for semi-trucks and trailers in the U.S. is 80,000 pounds, including the vehicle, trailer, and cargo. If your vehicle has an exceptionally high weight, it limits the number of cars a carrier can transport, potentially increasing your auto shipping costs.

Shipping Method – Open car transport and enclosed trailer vehicle shipping are the two primary domestic cross-country car shipping methods. Open car transport, while accommodating more vehicles, is cost-effective. On the other hand, choosing enclosed trailer vehicle transport, which carries fewer vehicles, will necessitate a premium fee.

Season and Carrier Availability – Demand for long-distance auto shipping services peaks during summer, leading to higher shipping costs. Opting for fall or winter shipping may fetch cheaper rates but also increases the risk of delays, particularly for destinations with harsh winter conditions.

Delivery Method – Car transporters usually provide two main delivery options: terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door car shipping. The latter, although offering greater convenience, is typically pricier. The former reduces car shipping costs but necessitates you to pick up your vehicle from a designated receiving facility in your selected city. Comparing both options through a car shipping quote can aid in decision-making.

Indeed, auto shipping companies, including ours, provide 250,000 cargo insurance coverage for all vehicle makes and years as part of their shipping services. It's mandatory for all carriers to have liability insurance to undertake and fulfill shipping assignments. However, it's important to note that the insurance coverage provided by the carrier may not fully cover the value of your vehicle, necessitating additional coverage. We highly advise securing supplementary coverage either through your own auto insurance provider or a third-party vendor. This is particularly crucial when shipping high-value vehicles, such as exotic or classic cars.

Top car shipping companies in the auto transport sector, including ours, accept all major credit cards. You can secure your services by paying a minimum deposit or choose to pay the full amount at the time of booking using your credit card. We offer the convenience of accepting payments both online and via phone, providing you with flexibility and ease in managing your transactions.

Indeed, Transport Masters USA collaborates with a broad network of partner carriers, enabling us to arrange quick and efficient domestic car transport. Additionally, we provide international car shipping services to virtually every corner of the world.

Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge that international shipping is a highly intricate process. To prevent any potential delays, we recommend initiating the booking process for international shipping services at your earliest convenience.

As a rule of thumb, it's advised to contact a car transport company roughly a month prior to your desired pick-up date for international transport. This allows ample time to coordinate logistics and ensure a smooth transportation process.

Shipping rates fluctuate seasonally primarily due to changes in demand for car shipping services. Most customers prefer to transport their vehicles during the warmer summer months, leading to a surge in demand for carrier resources, which subsequently influences the final cost of your car shipping quote..

Concerns over possible delays caused by adverse weather conditions likely drive this preference for summer shipping. Hence, the abundance of auto shipping bookings during this season.

At Transport Masters USA, we specialize in seamlessly moving vehicles from Manheim Auto Auctions. Our professional team collaborates with the auctioneer to ensure efficient and reliable collection of your newly purchased vehicle. With our extensive network of carriers and commitment to prompt delivery, we ensure your vehicle reaches your doorstep without any hassles. Opt for Transport Masters USA for a cost-effective, reliable, and swift auto transport solution from Manheim Auto Auctions.

Disable the Alarm – Your vehicle is about to embark on a journey of hundreds, possibly thousands of miles. Although the auto transporter will take utmost care, inevitable bumps could trigger your car’s alarm, causing the carrier to stop and resolve the issue. Deactivating your alarm saves the transporter significant time and hassle.

Clean the Interior – Cleaning the interior serves dual purposes. Firstly, it's your final opportunity to ensure all personal belongings have been removed. Secondly, your car will be clean and ready when it arrives at your destination.

Wash the Exterior – It's beneficial to clean your car's exterior thoroughly. Removing dirt and debris reduces the risk for other vehicles on the road and facilitates a smooth inspection upon delivery.

Check for Leaks – Oil and transmission fluid leaks can be hazardous. The excess fluid can be blown around, especially during open-air transport, potentially damaging other vehicles. If possible, fix any leaks before arranging transport. If you can't, inform our team so we can relay this information to the carrier. This could result in your car being placed on the lower level of the trailer to minimize issues.

Run the Fuel Down – Remember, you're charged for shipping services based on distance and weight. Don't pay more by having a full tank before transport. Run your fuel down to about a quarter of a tank. Your vehicle will only be driven for loading, unloading, and perhaps short distances at the destination.

Document the Condition of the Vehicle – Document your vehicle's condition thoroughly before the carrier loads it onto the trailer. Take photographs from multiple angles post-cleaning. Compare these with the condition of the vehicle upon delivery. If you notice discrepancies, report them immediately.

Remove Personal Property – Filling your car with luggage is not allowed. This can increase cost due to added weight, pose a safety risk, and potentially damage your car's interior. Moreover, carriers could be subjected to fines from the Department of Transportation, for which you might be held responsible.

Remove Toll Transponder – While a transponder is convenient for passing toll checkpoints, it should be removed before transport. If left in place, your account could be charged for every toll the carrier passes. As your car is about to travel potentially thousands of miles, these tolls could accumulate rapidly.

Indeed, Transport Masters USA orchestrates thousands of such shipments annually. While most auction houses do offer shipping services, they often come at a premium cost and could take weeks for your car to be delivered.

Transport Masters USA provides a cost-efficient and dependable alternative to auction house shipping. We liaise with our partnered carrier and the auctioneer to arrange the collection of your car. Our carrier ensures that your newly acquired vehicle is delivered to your doorstep swiftly, making the entire process streamlined and hassle-free.

Indeed, at Transport Masters USA, we are well-equipped to manage auto shipping even for non-operational vehicles. However, it's crucial that you notify us in advance when booking your services. We need to arrange for specialized equipment to safely load and unload your vehicle onto the carrier.

Failure to notify us could lead to delays as the carrier might be unable to accommodate your non-running vehicle without the necessary equipment. Consequently, this may require a rescheduling of the transport and potentially incur additional fees. We're committed to providing smooth and efficient service, so any information you can provide upfront helps us better serve your needs.

Absolutely! At Transport Masters USA, we understand that plans can sometimes be fluid. Therefore, we provide the convenience of scheduling your services using just the city and state or zip code. This allows us to establish the initial route for shipping your car. If you decide to avail of our door-to-door delivery service, we will need the specific pick-up and drop-off addresses before finalizing your order. This process offers you the flexibility you need while enabling us to ensure that we can deliver your vehicle as precisely as possible to your desired location.

 

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