What to Know About Transporting a Car
Plenty of companies do it, and so can you.
Manuel Carrillo III | Capital One
QuickTakes:
If you're moving cross-country or buying a car from a distant seller, you might need to move a vehicle. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to get your vehicle from point A to point B without putting lots of miles on the odometer. You can either hire an experienced transporter or do the job yourself.
Hiring a Professional Can Be Easy But Costly
Outsourcing the work to a company is often a great plan for those who don't have the time, inclination, or skill to trailer their car across a large distance.
The cheapest option is likely to be open-air transport, where your vehicle will make the trip on an uncovered flatbed or car hauler. The cost varies by company and depends on several factors, including the distance, route, time of year, and fuel prices.
Which company handles the job will also impact the cost. Quotes requested from three companies —
If you'd rather not expose your vehicle to the elements, look for a company that offers closed-trailer or covered transport. You'll pay a premium for it — about 30% to 40% more, according to Montway — but it's likely worth the expense if the car is rare, valuable, and/or special to you.
Often, transport companies will provide an online quote after you enter a few details about the job, including the type of car, the origin and destination, and your contact information. It's advisable to check prices when you're ready to book, as fuel and labor costs can cause quotes to change.
If You Go With the Pros, Take Before and After Pictures
Once you've chosen your transporter, you should receive a call or email confirming the shipping details. On your scheduled pickup day, you and the truck driver will inspect your vehicle and make note of its condition on a bill of lading (BOL).
Each party should take pictures of the car at this point, so there's also visual documentation. You'll both sign the BOL and keep a copy for your records. During transit, the company should keep you abreast of your car's progress and send you a notification when the truck is nearing the agreed-upon destination. In the event your car suffered damage, you can then note any discrepancies from the BOL and document the changes with more pictures.
If there's an issue, you can file a claim with the transport company. Whichever car carrier you choose should have sufficient insurance to fully cover the vehicles it hauls. But if you're concerned about it, check the company's website for details. Also, it's a good idea to check with your insurance company before shipping and learn about possible protection in the event your car arrives damaged.
Save Money by Towing Your Car Yourself
The alternative to hiring a transport company is towing your car yourself. You'll need a trailer that can accommodate the weight of the vehicle as well as a truck, SUV, or van that can pull it. Both are available to rent from
You'll want to consider the car's drivetrain before selecting a trailer. Front-wheel-drive cars can generally ride without issue on a tow dolly, which lifts up the front end of the car but leaves the rear tires on the ground. On the plus side, this type of car carrier costs and weighs less than a trailer. The downside is that your car's rear rubber is still racking up miles even if the odometer doesn't count them.
Using a tow dolly to transport a rear-, all-, or four-wheel-drive vehicle isn't recommended, as you could damage the drivetrain. For proper towing procedures, consult your owner's manual. You may need to disconnect the driveshaft or simply put the transmission/transfer case in neutral. A flatbed or closed trailer is an excellent option to mitigate the risk of drivetrain damage.
Before committing to towing, remember that driving a vehicle with an attached trailer requires extra vigilance, and you'll need to make wider turns than you might be used to. So if you're not confident in your towing skills, it might make more sense to hire someone for the job.
