Our last shipment involved moving a Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S 2021 model from Woodward, OK to Abilene, TX using open trailer transport services. This particular shipment entailed traveling 312 miles for $850.00 at a rate of $2.72 per mile.
The shipment was operable, indicating that the car had been shipped with all systems on, running and driving under its own steam. It is a great representation of the shipping process for a high performance luxury SUV since the vehicle’s size and ground clearance makes it stand out from a low sports car even though it wears the same AMG badge.
The Route
The route covers approximately 502 kilometers, which is a purely south-bound route that does not change course at all during the trip. In most cases, haulage starts at Woodward in northwestern Oklahoma before going south along US-183 through Elk City and entering the state of Texas at Vernon.
From there, the southward travel continues along US-283 until reaching Abilene in west-central Texas. The entire journey is conducted along state and national highways, and thus, the relatively short transit distance does not affect the total transit time for a route such as this one.
With a transit distance of 312 miles, this particular haulage is a relatively short distance in the open haulage market and therefore carries a relatively high price per mile compared to what would be charged for an inter-state haulage.
Operable vs. Inoperable Vehicles
When a car is operable, it should be able to start and run by itself in order to be placed on a carrier’s ramp unaided. Since this GLE 63 S came operable, the driver simply drove it up the ramp and onto the deck of the trailer, just as it would be done with any running SUV.
An inoperable car cannot do all this unaided. For example, it may have no electricity, a problem with its engine or even physical damage that prevents it from running. In such cases, the vehicle must be winched on to the trailer and not driven up the ramp. This is a time consuming process for the pickup and also often requires the use of a carrier with the appropriate winching equipment.
This difference is important since it defines what type of equipment a carrier has to use during loading. If a shipment is booked as operable but does not start at the pickup point, it may either delay the shipment or necessitate the use of a different carrier. This is why booking your shipment as operable or inoperable in advance will help keep the process on schedule.
Why Open Carrier Transport Is a Reliable Choice for Luxury SUVs
Open auto carriers constitute the majority of the auto transport market, and for justifiable reasons. For one, their operating costs are lower compared to the costs of using closed trailers. Second, they are available more frequently, and this results in shorter delivery time for the vehicles.
Open transportation is a viable choice in case of the GLE 63 S, because it is not high enough, nor is it large in size to exceed the maximum capabilities of the common multi-car open trailer. In an open trailer, the vehicle will travel unprotected from rain and dirt, but its four-point wheel strap tie downs will keep it firmly in place on the truck’s deck.
Luxury status does not influence which type of trailer the vehicle must be transported by. In addition to ground clearance, size, and positioning after loading are factors that determine the trailer. As far as these criteria go, GLE 63 S is a typical SUV and not a low sport car.
Standard Car vs. SUV Shipping
The cost of shipping an SUV is higher on average than that of shipping a normal sedan over the same distance, mainly due to size and weight. A bigger vehicle occupies more deck space on a multi-car transporter, hence limiting the number of vehicles carried on the same trailer. Increased weight increases the load carried by the truck.
Distance and route will be part of the variables taken into account despite the car being a sedan. The short distance covered on this transport job compared to a longer distance covering the whole United States results in the high per-mile rate, where the fixed cost of the carrier is allocated to a smaller distance.
Trim and equipment of the vehicle also add to the overall cost. In this case, the AMG sports version of the vehicle with bigger tires requires more care regarding positioning on the deck without requiring a special type of trailer.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Woodward, OK 73801
- Destination: Abilene, TX 79605
- Distance: 312 miles
- Service cost: $850.00
- Cost per mile: $2.72
- Vehicle: 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S
- Condition: Operable
- Trailer type: Open
- Route: US-183 south through Elk City, OK and Vernon, TX, then US-283 into Abilene
