We have just shipped a 2023 Tesla Model 3 from Santa Ana, CA, to Dallas, TX. This electric sedan has covered 1,433 miles on an open trailer. Everything cost us $1,250.00, or $0.87 per mile. There is one particular feature that defined the whole shipping process; Tesla is not operable and could not be transported in any other way except being towed by a winch.
It is a combination of two aspects that make the transportation of a non-operable EV require some special attention and planning. The described shipping experience will help you to get an understanding of how the pricing and additional procedures are applied to this kind of shipment.
The Route
The shipping path from Santa Ana to Dallas largely takes the Southern Route. The carrier picks up from Santa Ana, Orange County and connects onto I-10 East out of the Los Angeles region. The Southern Route moves through the desert Southwest from California to Arizona, passing by Phoenix and Tucson, before going further into the state of New Mexico, close to Las Cruces.
The route uses a different highway in West Texas. Once I-10 enters Texas at the El Paso area, the carriers move onto I-20 northeast, which takes the cargo closer to the Dallas/Fort Worth region. This interstate transports the cargo through Midland, Abilene and into Dallas. Thus, the truck reaches the destination point through the direct freight corridor.
As the Southern Route is at a lower elevation, it avoids much of the bad weather experienced by the Northern Routes during winter time. The transit time for this route ranges from three to five days. I-10 and I-20 freight corridors attract a lot of freight traffic, thus carriers are readily available on this route throughout the year.
Why Inoperable Vehicles Cost More to Ship
The fact that the Tesla is shipped as inoperable makes it non-starting, driving, or rolling. It is important to note that this factor impacts the way in which the vehicle is loaded and influences the cost. Inoperable cars cannot be loaded by driving them up on the trailer; therefore, a winch needs to be used for loading an inoperable car.
Some carriers might not accept inoperable cars due to the winching procedure requiring specific equipment and a driver with necessary experience in performing such operations. These factors make inoperable vehicles harder to transport than operable ones, which explains why the cost is higher in this case. The quoted price of $0.87 per mile is the rate for this particular type of shipment.
For the process of winching to be successful, the carrier needs to be aware of the actual condition of the vehicle prior to the shipment. Inoperable cars that still roll and steer are much easier to load than cars with locked wheels or a stuck brake system.
What Makes an Inoperable Tesla Different
An electric car that is inoperable involves the addition of yet another aspect of handling apart from a conventional gas-powered vehicle that doesn’t start. For example, the failure of a Tesla to power on requires unique procedures to tow it as Tesla automobiles depend on electronic means of engaging gears, locking the steering and activating the parking brake.
However, Tesla has a transportation mode feature specifically meant for such an eventuality though it requires a bit of power in the battery to work. If there is sufficient power in the vehicle, transport mode will automatically release the parking brake and allow wheels to be winched. In case of a completely discharged battery, the transport vehicle may require wheel dolly or skate placement under wheels.
There are some aspects one should consider while transporting an inoperable Tesla. Inform the carrier about the condition of the vehicle, such as its power supply and whether the wheels turn easily. Clarify whether transport mode is available since it will affect the way the vehicle is loaded onto the trailer. Also, give all the necessary cards the driver might need to handle the vehicle during loading and unloading. In addition, be prepared for the loading process to take more time than the regular drive-on loading.
If the carrier is aware of all the aspects in advance, an inoperable Tesla can be loaded safely despite the additional procedures.
Why Open Transport Still Fits
As even an inoperable EV, the Model 3 was transported using an open trailer that remains a popular choice for this type of transport. Once the car is hoisted onto the trailer and secured, it is transported in the same manner as any other car that uses an open trailer. The advantage of an open trailer is that it allows for multiple vehicles to be hauled simultaneously, keeping the total cost low.
The downside of this choice of equipment is the lack of protection from precipitation, road dust, and other potential hazards while in transit due to an uncovered deck. While the risk of exposing a vehicle that needs to get to either a repair shop or a purchaser is rather small compared to the expenses of an enclosed haul, the former remains a preferred method of transporting the bulk of cars across the country, both operable and inoperable.
The condition of the vehicle affected the loading procedure and the price but not the equipment choice.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Santa Ana, CA 92704
- Destination: Dallas, TX 75219
- Distance: 1,433 miles
- Service Cost: $1,250.00
- Cost Per Mile: $0.87
- Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3
- Vehicle Condition: Inoperable
- Trailer Type: Open
- Route: I-10 east through Phoenix and El Paso, then I-20 northeast into Dallas
