Prepare your car for shipping with Transport Masters USA

A pleasant car shipping experience by checking out the car shipping checklist.

Car Shipping Checklist

Looking for a top-notch auto shipping company is not the only thing you need to do. Shipping a car to another city is much more than that. Avoid unexpected chaos at last by going through the car shipping checklist.

Smooth shipping experience!

Learn how to prepare your car before picking a car shipping service and planning a relocation.

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.

Check Battery

Take note of your car battery. Make sure to keep the car battery to full and securely mounted on the battery bracket.

Check Tires

Your car tires should be well inflated to avoid issues during loading or unloading your car. Get the driver’s suggestions if you are unsure about this.

Remove attachments

Be wary of putting any such accessories in your car that run the risk of falling off. If there are any, 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.

One-stop solution for your vehicle shipping needs.

REQUEST US A QUOTE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

How much gas should I have in my car during transport?

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn’t add much additional weight.

Where will my car be picked up and delivered?

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

What is top load service?

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Can I ship a car from an auto auction?

Yes, many of our business clients require service from salvage auctions and other types of auto auctions. Each auction will have different requirements to release a vehicle and we’ll get all the necessary details from you at the time of booking. Please make sure the vehicle is fully paid and ready for release from the auction. Also be aware that if a vehicle is booked as operable but it turns out the vehicle is inoperable there will be additional cost and the original transporter may not be able to accommodate an inoperable vehicle.

How do I get my car ready for shipment?

Make sure your car has been completely clean, both inside and outside. This is particularlly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 75 pounds combined and kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment.

Can I ship a vehicle with low ground clearance?

Yes, however any vehicle with clearance lower than 4 inches will likely need to be shipped on an enclosed trailer with a lift gate. Low-clearance vehicles simply cannot be driven onto an open trailer because the car would risk bottoming out while being loaded onto the carrier.

Can I put personal items in my vehicle?

You may ship personal belongings inside of your car, the total weight of these items cannot be more than a hundred pounds and has to be left in the trunk or back seats (under the window line). Please note that personal belonging are not covered under insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

View all frequently asked questions

View all frequently asked questions.

Ready to Get Started?

Calculate your instant car shipping cost and view carrier availability in your area.

Get an instant quote

Still have questions about shipping a car?

Visit some of our helpful pages to see how Transport Masters USA can simplify your auto shipping.