Not every load is a standard sedan going from point A to point B. This load was different. A customer out of Tampa, Florida, needed a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 transported to Waxahachie, Texas. This load’s planning began before a truck ever hauled it.
These aren’t cars you load and forget about.
Open VS Enclosed Trailer for 1,000-Horsepower Muscle Car
The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 is a limited-production vehicle. This car was made by Dodge as a farewell to their Challenger model. With a limited production run, this car is already out of the value range of 99% of car owners. Then there’s the fact that it has 1,025 horsepower. This car is a collector’s item, and collectors want it protected. Open transport has never been an option for this vehicle.
Both vehicles are also equipped with performance tires. Performance tires are meant for racing and are meant to be on a track, not on a public road. Performance tires have a smaller profile and sit very close to the road. This means they pick up road debris before they even come into contact with it. On an open trailer traveling down a highway at 65 mph through Louisiana, road debris is a big concern for a car’s paint and brakes.
Price estimates
Open transport
$1,800–$1,900
Average: $1,850
Enclosed transport
$2,600–$2,800
Average: $2,700
Estimates vary by vehicle, season, and exact pickup and delivery locations. All estimates shown are for a standard sedan.
An enclosed trailer provides a barrier between your vehicle and road debris. This is especially important for a limited-production vehicle, as a scratched door or a rock chip can greatly impact a vehicle’s value. Tempus Logix picked up both vehicles at a private residence in Tampa, Florida, and dropped off both vehicles at a private residence in Waxahachie, Texas. There were no terminals or strangers involved.
See Also:
- Atlanta to San Francisco Bay Area Car Transport of a Challenger SXT
- Enclosed Lamborghini Huracan EVO Transport from Encino CA to Bozeman MT
Is $2,600 Fair for Two Cars on an Enclosed Trailer?
The short answer is yes. Here’s how open and enclosed pricing compared for this specific shipment.
| Transport Type | Estimated Cost | Price Per Mile |
| Open Carrier (Multi Car Hauler) | $1,800 – $1,900 | $1.6-$1.7 |
| Enclosed Carrier (2 vehicles) | $2,600 | $2.32 |
| Price Difference | ~$700 – $800 | – |
Spending an extra $700 to $800 to protect a car with that kind of value makes sense. A single repaint on a car like the Demon 170 could easily run more than the price gap between open and enclosed shipping. For performance vehicles with low ground clearance and soft compound tires, enclosed isn’t a luxury. It’s the right call.
Tampa, FL to Waxahachie, TX: Understanding the I-10 Corridor
This is a well-trodden road for carriers that travel between Florida and Texas. The route goes west on I-10, passing through Pensacola and New Orleans, and then turns north, passing through Houston and into the Dallas metropolitan area. Waxahachie is just south of Dallas from there.
This is one of the most traveled corridors in the country, and the I-10 corridor is no exception. Enclosed carriers make regular trips on this corridor, especially for high-value shipments headed into Texas, so the scheduling is always well-managed.
Tempus Logix picked up both vehicles on the 19th and delivered them on the 21st of February. Two days for a 1,120-mile trip in an enclosed trailer is a great job by the carriers. The standard transit time for a trip like this is between three and five days, depending on the carriers that are available and how many stops are made along the way.
This route takes carriers down a well-trodden road the entire way, so there were no stops to weigh the vehicles or take a scenic route that added to the overall transit time.
Delivery Day in Waxahachie: Post-Transport Inspection and What to Do If Damage Occurs
When the carrier arrived at the private address in Waxahachie, the customer was there for the unload. That’s always the right move.
Both vehicles came down the ramp and got checked against the original Bill of Lading from pickup. The BOL records the car’s condition before it goes on the truck so any comparison at delivery is based on fact. Scratches, paint chips or any new marks show up clearly when you know what was there before.
If damage does show up during transport, the process isn’t complicated. Note it on the delivery BOL before signing. Signing an unmarked BOL and then trying to file a claim later just makes everything harder. Take photos right at delivery and contact your transport company the same day.
In this case both vehicles arrived in the same condition they left Tampa. The Demon 170 rolled off the ramp looking exactly like it should.
Useful to Read: Understanding About Auto Transport Bill of Lading
Shipping Summary
- Direction: Tampa, FL to Waxahachie, TX
Tampa, FL to I-75 N → I-10 W → I-49 N → I-20 W → US-287 N to Waxahachie, TX - Vehicles: 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 & Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
- Modification: SRT and SRT Demon 170
- Conditions: Both Run and Drive
- Service: Enclosed Auto Transport
- Vehicle type: SUV and Muscle Car
- Shipping price: $2600 ($2.32 per mile)
