Open or Enclosed | Which car shipping carrier is the best choice?

Most shipping companies allow their clients to choose their preferred method of car shipping, whether inclosed or enclosed. You can either choose open shipping or closed shipping as guided by the car carrier service. All the methods use a trailer in transporting vehicles. However, the two also have various differences including being inclosed or enclosed. Read on for more details about open vs closed car shipping.

• Open carrier car shipping is more affordable 
• Offers better visibility. The driver can therefore inspect vehicles easily while on transit.
• Open car shipping uses less fuel thus it is more eco-friendly
• Open carrier car shipping is more common and easier to book
  

• Your vehicle may be exposed to the prevailing weather conditions. The car may then be more exposed to dirt and other risk factors
  

There are three types of open car shipping.

1. Two-level carriers- They are common and widely used
2. Single level carriers- commonly used when transporting luxury vehicles or supercars
3. Dually truck- Used to transport cars within a short distance.
   

Enclosed car shipping is also referred to as enclosed auto transport. The vehicle is transported using an enclosed vehicle trailer. It has a floor, ceiling and solid walls. The enclosed vehicle trailer offers more security and protection as compared to open carriers. If you are transporting a custom or classic vehicle, the enclosed car shipping method is the best option.

The carriers usually carry fewer vehicles. In most cases, they may carry up to five vehicles. This method is faster. However, one of its limitations is the fact that there are only a few transporters that offer enclosed car shipping. This method is also usually more expensive. 

In enclosed car shipping, your vehicle will be protected from various weather elements such as hail, sun and rain. Your vehicle will be offered better protection while being transported. The vehicle will therefore be protected from road debris. Most of the drivers operating enclosed car carriers are usually more experienced and well trained to handle high-end vehicles.

Some transport companies may offer good insurance. They offer their clients support throughout the shipping process by giving you updates throughout. The driver will therefore pay attention to your needs and special requests.

• The vehicle is protected from weather elements such as rain, sun and dust
• Your vehicle will be safe and protected from road debris
• The method guarantees more security for your vehicle
  

• Slightly expensive as compared to open car shipping
• The driver cannot inspect the condition of your vehicle while transporting it
  

Enclosed car shipping involves different types of car carriers or trailers. They include:

1. Multi-car enclosed trailers- can accommodate up to seven cars and is usually the least expensive enclosed car shipping option
2. One-car trailers and two-car trailers- they cost more and are mostly used when transporting high-end or luxurious vehicles.
   

The type of car shipping method, either open car shipping and enclosed car shipping, will determine the cost or amount of money that you will spend in transporting your car. However, there are others factors that may affect the cost of shipping. They include:

The distance covered when transporting the car will affect the final expense on car shipping. It is important to note that shorter distance moves may still cost almost the same as long-distance. The rate of shipping vehicles may vary from one company to another. Most companies especially those that have been in the industry for a long time are affordable and charge their clients fairly. 

The cost of shipping your car can also be determined by the location where your car is being shipped from and its final destination. Shipping in rural areas can be more challenging. A few companies offer shipping services to rural areas. Pick-up, as well as delivery of your vehicle, may therefore take a long time. 

Cars that weigh less and are small in size are cheaper and easier to ship as compared to large and heavier ones. The condition of your vehicle may affect the cost too. Vehicles that are in a poor condition may be difficult to handle and transport; thus, their owners may be charged more fees for transportation. 

Just like any other vehicle, the shipping truck cost depends on various factors. Some of these factors include the weight and size of the truck, the distance to be covered when transporting the truck, your choice of a transportation service as well as the timeframe and location. On average, the cost of shipping a truck within 100 miles is $4.15 per mile. When transporting a truck in less than 1000 miles, it can cost as low as $1.40 for every mile. 

The average price to transport a car within the United States of America is $ 2.92 per mile if you are shipping your car within a distance of fewer than 200 miles. If you are shipping your car for a distance of 1000 miles or even more, the average cost of transport may be as low as $0.78 for each mile. It is, therefore, more efficient to transport your car within longer distances.

1. Determine the services that you may need
2. Research about the shipping company
3. Call and talk to a representative of the company or their customer service desk
4. Gather several quotes to compare prices
5. Decide on the company to ship your car
6. Place your order
7. Prepare for transportation of the car