How Can I Protect My Car During Transport?

How Can I Protect My Car During Transport?
Published on September 6, 2021

Moving to a new city or purchasing a vehicle online can be an adventure akin to riding a roller coaster. Conveniently, car shipping companies can easily transport your vehicle to the majority of desired destinations. Still, transporting a car necessitates not only a financial investment but also an emotional commitment. Thus, people are sometimes reluctant to ship their prized automobiles due to the slight likelihood of physical damage.

Auto transport companies have the experience and methods to keep the vehicle in good condition and free of additional miles, scratches, and tear when hauling. An essential factor is also the procedure of selecting the car transport company which will have the qualifications to handle each step of the shipping process. 

Even though the auto transportation company bears the heavier burden, we can give you a few pointers and suggestions on how to get your vehicle ready for transport.

Immobilization for Safety Measures

Firstly, many customers are worried about their car moving side-to-side and even being turned vertically during road bumps when shipped. Therefore, immobilization is one of the best ways to secure a vehicle. The transporting companies often use a series of tie-down ratchets or wheel straps as a security measure once the vehicle loads onto the trailer. Regarding the technique, most car haulers use two in the front and two in the back. 

It is significant to protect the vehicle’s stress points and sensitive areas during transportation. When it comes to transporting automobiles, experts at reputable companies know which sections need special protection and how to do it regardless of the size or shape of the vehicle on hand.

The car’s model and type are also naturally a reason for specific placements and instructions. While shipping luxurious or vintage vehicles, shipping companies ensure that they do not place extra weight on the latter. On the other hand, large vehicles like military trucks require stronger straps and larger ratchets to withstand the extra pressure.

Though, we would suggest not to go overboard as well. For example, some potential customers are worried about road debris flying up and hitting their vehicles. If the traffic in front of the carrier truck kicks up a pebble, it will fly into the front of the rig. The front end of the shipped truck is vulnerable to road debris, not the vehicles on the carrier behind it.

As a result of their doubts, some customers ask for a car cover because they are worried about damage caused by road debris. However, there is no reliable way to keep a vehicle covered while in transit. Attempting to strap a cover to the automobile will almost certainly result in the very damage that a customer is trying to avoid. Some external factors like the force of the wind in transit may lift off some of the cover’s corners or cause a strap to become loose and flap against the vehicle.

Securing the Exterior and the Interior of the Car

You’ll want to make sure that all of the exterior parts of your car are well-protected during shipping. As a result, if you have any removable parts, you should secure them or remove them entirely from your car. Items that are easily removable and attached with tape, bubble wrap, coverings. Consider retracting antennas and folding them in side-view mirrors.  Please, keep in mind to clean the interior of the vehicle as well. During the long journey of transportation, the car can easily get jostled due to bumpy roads. To avoid unnecessary hassle after the shipment, remove all the weakly secured accessories such as air fresheners, spare change, pen, cables, etc. Removing these items will help avoid damage to the car or the items being lost or broken along the journey.

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