How to Transport Your Golf Cart, ATV, or Jet Ski

Auto shipping is not just limited to cars and trucks. If you own a non-traditional vehicle like a golf cart, ATV, or jet ski, you might also need to transport it from one location to another. But how can you ensure safe and secure transport for these types of vehicles? This article will discuss tips and considerations for transporting different non-traditional vehicles across the United States.

Golf Cart Shipping

There are many ways to move a golf cart depending on how far the destination is. If the journey is not too lengthy, a DIY shipment can be arranged. Alternatively, utilizing the services of a shipping company is a viable option for longer distances.

Finding the right shipping company

Finding the right auto shipping company could be tricky with many service providers available. Following these steps will help narrow down the list of auto transport companies:

• Get quotes: There is a big chance you will find a wide range of prices from different auto shipping companies online. It is important to compare the prices and services offered by each company to find the best deal and ensure that your golf cart is transported safely and securely. Don’t forget to read reviews and check their credentials before making a final decision.
• Search for door-to-door service: Typically, door-to-door service is the most convenient and should be the standard offering. However, some companies may have fixed shipping routes with predetermined pick-up and drop-off points, which can often be a more economical option. Evaluating your specific needs and budget is important to determine which option fits you best.
• The company should be licensed, experienced, and insured: Before selecting a shipping company, it’s crucial to inquire about their licenses and insurance coverage for transporting golf carts. It’s also important to research the company’s online reviews to gain insight into other customers’ experiences with their shipping services. If negative ratings are found, it’s worth investigating whether the company took appropriate measures to resolve the issue. This can also provide an idea of the company’s level of customer service.

DIY options

Organizing a DIY shipping is a good idea when the person is not moving the gold cart too far, and it can be done in several ways, including:

• Pick-up truck: People can use their own, rented, or borrowed truck to transport golf carts. Using the right techniques and equipment, loading the cart on the truck will take approximately half an hour. Nylon straps and aluminum ramps are needed, and the truck’s size determines the width of the ramps.
• Trailer: It is similar to using a truck, but owners can use a trailer big enough for a golf cart instead. The trailer may already have a ramp that folds out; if not, use aluminum ramps and tie the cart with straps or other safe material. However, driving a trailer is challenging, especially for inexperienced drivers, and parking can be an issue.

ATV Shipping

Shipping an ATV may require some work to find the right shipping. Asking the right questions is important to know exactly how the process works and the time it will take. Generally, the following steps can help:

1. Find a shipping company that meets your expectations
2. Get quotes for ATV shipping
3. Ensure the shipping contract has all the information about the insurance
4. Prepare the ATV for shipping by washing and inspecting it fully, emptying the fuel tanks and clearing the lines, and moving the tank vent and fuel values to the closed position
5. Choose the right trailer that is best suited for the ATV

The last thing to discuss with the auto shipping company is pick-up and drop-off dates. Communication is key in ensuring that both parties are on the same page.

Jet Ski Shipping

There are different ways to ship a jet ski, depending on various factors such as the number of jet skis being transported, the distance of the shipment, and the budget. Here are some options to consider:

1. Trailer-mounted jet ski shipping: Jet skis can be shipped on a trailer like any other vehicle. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the trailer is in good shape, free of mechanical issues and that the tow bar and wheels are in good condition.
2. Shipping in a container: A container can fit multiple jet skis. However, it’s important to ensure that the person responsible for loading the jet skis knows how to secure them properly to prevent damage during transport.
3. Shipping in boxes: This is the most secure method for shipping a single jet ski, especially if it’s being shipped internationally. The crate is tailored to the specific dimensions of the jet ski, providing the utmost safety and security during shipping by preventing the jet ski from moving or rubbing against other items.

Conclusion

Shipping non-traditional vehicles differs from shipping cars, requiring different considerations before shipping. Ultimately, it can be a smooth process with the right preparation and knowledge.

Tempus Logix is a professional auto shipping company that provides services across the United States. Whether you need to move a motorbike, boat, jet ski, golf cart, or bulldozer, the company has the expertise to handle all types of vehicles.

With over 45,000 vehicles transported nationwide, Tempus Logix has proved to be an efficient auto transportation partner for many. Over 1000 online reviews can tell how satisfied the clients are with the company’s work.

Car Shipping: A Key Player in the Tourism Industry

On the 27th of every September, World Tourism Day is celebrated globally, a significant occasion to highlight the role car shipping plays in the tourism industry. The car shipping industry is widely considered a key player in tourism, contributing to its growth and sustainability by working on different levels.

However, it is worth taking a quick look at the history of World Tourism Day before taking the opportunity to demonstrate the car shipping industry’s contributions to supporting tourism.

The World Tourism Industry was established in 1980, coinciding with the anniversary of adopting the Statutes of the Organization in 1970. Each year, the United Nations World Tourism Organization focuses on a specific theme on this occasion.

For example, in the first year of celebrating World Tourism Day, 1980, the organization addressed tourism’s contributions to maintaining cultural heritage and promoting peace and mutual understanding. This year, the UNWTO celebrates the event under the ‘Tourism and Green Investment’ theme, highlighting the need for innovative investments that align with sustainability goals.

The car shipping industry joins in the World Tourism Day celebrations, reminding people of the vital role of tourism in supporting countries’ economies and making for an effective entertainment venue for individuals. Tempus Logix’s CEO says a word regarding this occasion and its relation to the car shipping industry:

‘World Tourism Day is the right time to highlight the significance of the tourism industry in the different aspects of life, from financial to mental and emotional wellness. Millions of people in the United States make their living by working in the tourism sector, and millions find serenity or fulfill their sense of adventure in visiting and discovering new parts of the world. In addition, it is no secret that the car shipping industry significantly impacts tourism by enhancing individuals’ and businesses’ moving experiences. World Tourism Day is a day to commemorate the contributions of the tourism industry to enhancing life quality and acknowledge its importance in sustaining communities.’

CEO of tempus Logix, United States

Car Shipping Role in Supporting the Tourism Industry

Car shipping companies support tourism practices and efficiency by enhancing individuals’ travel experiences nationally or internationally. The car shipping industry has proven its vitality in making vacationing more appealing by providing travelers with these incentives:

Maximizing Travelling experiences with the Company of Personal Vehicles

A state-cross or borders-cross journey is made more attractive, efficient, and comforting when travelers can take their cars with them to their vacationing destination. The notion of having a professional car shipper to take care of vehicles and their transportation has encouraged many people to take action or even make more tourist activities around the world. Moreover, people can ship non-traditional vehicles, like ATVs and golf carts, from one picnic site to another.

Nothing can match the convenience of navigating the streets of the destination cities with one’s car, providing the freedom and flexibility they can have in mobility.

Reliable Vehicle Transportation

Car shipping services make for a reliable and safe method to relocate cars, maximizing people’s peace of mind and convenience when traveling from one state to another. Car shipping companies’ reliability and efficiency have impacted individuals’ travel decisions and encouraged tourism activities.

Overall, World Tourism Day is a reminder of the significant role of the tourism sector in supporting economies and promoting and preserving cultural heritage. It is also an important event to highlight the significant contributions of the car shipping industry in enhancing tourism and improving individuals’ experiences by providing safe, efficient, and reliable shipping services.

Multi-Car Trailers for Car Shipping: Pros and Cons

As vehicles vary in value, size, and durability, they often have specific shipping requirements, which is why many different types of car trailers are available. To meet these requirements, auto shipping companies offer varied, customizable services with a wide selection of trailer options.

Multi-car shipping trailers account for almost ninety percent of car haulers and can haul up to nine cars simultaneously. They are considered the most efficient shipping means because they accommodate more cars per trip than any other shipping trailer.

This article will explain the difference between open and enclosed shipping, explore different types of multi-car trailers, and discuss the pros and cons of multi-car trailers for auto shipping.

Open vs. enclosed shipping

Open trailers ship vehicles completely exposed to the elements with zero physical coverage. This method is the most popular auto shipping since it is safe, widely available, very effective, and usually the most affordable.

Enclosed shipping is the opposite of open shipping since the car hauler trailers are completely enclosed. The vehicles shipped this way are fully covered and protected from the weather, the road, and all the elements. Moreover, car shippers choose this transport method when they ship valuable vehicles that must be protected during transport. Vehicles shipped in an enclosed trailer usually include vintage, antique, luxury, classic, brand new, race, and collection cars.

However, this method of transport is more expensive because the size range of enclosed trailers is more limited, and there are fewer available trailers of this type.

The Different Types of Multi-car Shipping Trailers

These shipping trailers are a highly efficient method of transporting multiple vehicles in a single trip. Compared to other car hauler trailers, they can accommodate more cars, making shipping more cost-effective. Clients can choose between open and enclosed multi-car shipping trailers based on their preferences, budget, and specific vehicle transportation requirements.

Enclosed Multi-Car Trailer

These trailers can carry up to seven vehicles at a time. They have a system of flexible PVC-coated vinyl side curtains, which makes the process of loading and unloading vehicles much faster and easier to accomplish.

One-Level, Multi-Car Trailer

One-level, multi-car trailers provide a secure and efficient method for transporting cars, with the trailers designed to hold up to three vehicles simultaneously. These trailers can be attached to various tow vehicles, such as pickup trucks or semi-trucks. They ensure the safety of the shipped vehicles against exposure to leaks since they have nothing on top of them.

Multi-Level, Multi-Car Trailer

Multi-level, multi-car trailers are designed to transport between six to eight cars per trailer with two tiers. The back of these trailers can be lowered to provide easier and more accessible loading and unloading. Similar to the one-level multi-car trailers, semi-trucks can pull these trailers. This trailer type is highly efficient and cost-effective since it allows for transporting more vehicles at once, reducing the shipping cost per vehicle.

Hotshot Trailer

Hotshot trailers can carry more than one car at once. The trailer’s versatile style enables it to fit in places where usual multi-car hauler trailers cannot. Some hotshot trailers also come in an enclosed design, making them ideal for shipping valuable vehicles. They are also perfect for shipping between two to three cars simultaneously and are usually used for shorter shipping distances.

Pros of Multi-car Trailers for Auto Shipping

These trailers have become a popular choice for auto shipping due to several advantages, including:

• Efficient means of transport: Multi-car trailers can haul up to nine vehicles at a time, making them an efficient method of transportation.
• Accommodate more vehicles: With a length of 75 to 80 feet, they can accommodate more vehicles per trip than other car trailers, reducing the overall cost of transportation.
• Cost-effective: Multi-car trailers’ auto shipping services are more cost-effective than single-car trailers, providing an affordable option for car owners.
• Efficient loading and unloading: They have efficient loading and unloading procedures, which save time and reduce the risk of damage to the vehicles being transported.
• Expert handling: Auto shipping companies commonly use multi-car trailers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation.
• Suitable for long-distance transport: Multi-car trailers are ideal for long-distance shipping, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of vehicles.

Cons of Multi-car Trailers for Auto Shipping

While multi-car trailers offer many benefits for auto shipping, there are also some potential drawbacks:

• Inconvenient pickup location: Multi-car trailers often require customers to meet at an open lot, which may not be convenient for some
• Mechanical malfunctions: They are prone to mechanical malfunctions, which may delay the delivery of the vehicles
• Safety concerns: Multi-car trailers are not as safe as single-car trailers due to the proximity of multiple cars, which increases the risk of damage during transit
• Slow delivery time: They may have a slower delivery time since they must fill several vehicles before departing
• Environmental impact: They are heavier and less environmentally friendly than lighter carriers, which may not suit eco-conscious clients
• Driver attention: The driver has to pay attention to several cars in the trailer, which might create a problem if something goes wrong during the trip. The driver has to navigate challenging terrain or weather conditions

Conclusion

In conclusion, multi-car trailers provide a cost-effective and efficient means of transporting multiple vehicles simultaneously. They offer clients the option to choose between open and enclosed trailers based on their needs and preferences.

While there are drawbacks, such as the potential for mechanical malfunctions and safety concerns, auto shipping companies commonly use multi-car trailers, ensuring their expertise in handling them and safe and efficient transportation. Overall, multi-car trailers remain popular for those seeking to transport multiple vehicles simultaneously.

Essential Tie-Down Methods for Heavy-Duty Shipping

Heavy-duty shipping requires extensive planning and preparations because of the equipment’s heavy weight and large dimension that requires special handling. Heavy-duty shippers must be proactive in the planning process and consider all factors related to safe and hassle-free transport, from having the right equipment at hand to efficiently planning accessible routes.

This guide covers several aspects of appropriate heavy-duty shipping, including the following:

• Heavy-Duty Shipping
• Essential Tie-Down Methods for Heavy-Duty Shipping
• General Heavy-Duty Shipping Tips

Heavy-Duty Shipping

It is vital to clearly introduce and explain the heavy-duty shipping process before diving deep into the practices of securing this equipment. Heavy-duty shipping entails collaborating with a professional staff of auto shippers to prepare for transporting a heavy truck, machinery, or equipment from one point to another.

The process of preparing for heavy-duty shipping is lengthy and involves a lot of details. Furthermore, this service is meant to ship farming, manufacturing, construction, and other equipment between different worksites or from dealers to owners. Heavy-duty equipment includes bulldozers, tractors, hoes, hoists, etc.

How to Ship Heavy-Duty Equipment?

This is quite a broad question since the heavy-duty shipping process consists of several stages. In fact, it is a complicated process that takes time, attention, and accuracy. However, provided in the following are major takeaways to know about heavy-duty shipping:

Know the Heavy-Duty Specifications

The first step in shipping heavy-duty equipment is checking for its exact weight, size, length, and width information. Knowing accurate information about heavy-duty equipment is crucial to properly arranging for its shipment and preparing the right tools.

Heavy-duty owners or shippers can find this information in the equipment manufacturer manual, which contains everything related to the specific equipment. It details heavy-duty equipment, from its dimensions and other characteristics to helpful guidelines on safely operating and managing the equipment, preparing it for shipping, and handling it during transport.

Choose the Right Trailer Type

Several types of trailers ship different vehicles and meet each’s specific needs. Flatbed, lowboy, and drop-deck trailers are most commonly used for heavy-duty shipping. Flatbeds are sideless trailers allowing easy and smooth vehicles loading and unloading. They can be used to ship different vehicle types, especially heavy-duty equipment.

On the other hand, lowboys acquired this name because they sit low on the ground and are effective for shipping taller equipment. Lowboys allow shippers to transport tall, heavy equipment easily and save on the costs of bringing the required shipping permits.

Finally, drop-deck or step-deck trailers are primarily known for their flexibility since they allow auto shippers to control the trailer height depending on the load’s requirements. Drop-deck trailers are also perfect for shipping tall and heavy equipment.

Obtain the Required Shipping Permits

Heavy-duty shippers must apply for and obtain permits for overweight or over-height loads. The permit is issued by the official facilities regulating auto shipping in the United States, the state’s Department of Transportation, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety and Administration. It also ensures a safe heavy-duty shipping process and minimizes fatal road accident risks.

Essential Tie-Down Methods for Heavy-Duty Shipping

Now the general aspect of heavy-duty shipping is made clearer. It is time to explain how heavy-duty shippers secure the loads and their essential tie-down methods. As suggested earlier, heavy-duty shippers can refer to the manufacturer manual to find helpful information and guidelines for proper load securement.

They can find step-by-step instructions about loading, securing, and unloading the equipment from and to the shipping trailer, in addition to important information like the required tie-downs, required securing tools’ weight capacity, and the Working Load Limit rate.

Above all, the following are the basic tie-down methods for heavy-duty shipping:

Number of Tie-Downs

The USDOT dictates how many tie-downs heavy-duty shippers must use to secure their loads safely. Heavy-duty equipment must be secured using a minimum of four tie-downs, each with a Working Load Limit of at least 5000 pounds.

Still, the general cargo securement requirements indicate that the total Working Load Limit of all the tie-downs must be equal to half the loads’ weight, which means using more tie-downs can be required.

In addition, heavy-duty shippers must attach tie-downs to the front and rear of the equipment at a 45-degree angle. Then, tie-downs must be connected to specifically designed mounting points on the trailer. Moreover, heavy-duty shippers must use additional tie-downs to secure the equipment’s accessories, such as hydraulic booms and shovels.

Inspecting Tie-Downs

Heavy-duty shippers must inspect the tie-downs they will use before everything else. Tie-downs must be in good working condition, enabling them to properly hold the equipment throughout the entire transport journey.

In addition, shippers of heavy machinery must regularly check for signs of abrasion, damage, and wear-and-tear on all the tie-downs they intend to use.

Conducting a thorough inspection of the trailer and equipment tie-down points helps ensure the load will be tightly secured. It eliminates the risks of the equipment unfastening, loosening, and shifting while in transit.

Proper Load Securement to the Tie-Downs

Heavy loads must be tightly secured to tie-downs by attaching them using strong hooks, claps, or ties that will not unfasten during transportation. Then, heavy-duty shippers must secure the equipment using chains or steel strapping, both of which can keep the machinery perfectly secured.

Indeed, shippers of heavy loads sometimes use edge protection to eliminate the risks of having the tie-downs cut by the equipment components. Chocks, wedges, and cradles are also used to secure the machinery’s wheels and prevent it from moving around.

Finally, heavy-duty machinery’s parking brake must be applied on the equipment as required by the USDOT regulations before leaving it.

Securing the Equipment’s Accessories

The equipment’s accessories must also be properly secured, following the USDOT’s load securement requirements. The equipment accessory must be prevented from loosening or unfastening during transport.

Additionally, the equipment attachments must all be lowered and safely secured before transportation by pulling back and strapping retractable parts, locking the equipment’s doors and tailgate, and securing other components that can become loose.

General Heavy-Duty Shipping Tips

Other recommended practices and tips remain while shipping heavy-duty machinery in addition to the previously mentioned instructions. Here are our top three tips for maximized safety during heavy-duty shipping:

1. Always comply with the USDOT regulations and recommendations: Following rules are for the security of heavy-duty shippers and their loads, primarily designed to encourage safe shipping practices and save road users from potential risks on the road. The USDOT rules have a major contribution to reducing accidents and minimizing losses.
2. Test the equipment’s safety before making the real journey: Heavy-duty shippers are recommended to make a test drive during which they can ensure that the loads are evenly distributed, tightly secured against shifting and rolling, and the trailer is manageable and easy to maneuver.
3. Regularly inspect loads’ securement: It is a sound practice to make regular stops during heavy-duty shipping and check for load security. Regular load inspection allows drivers to spot changes in the securing tools and fix them before leading to a serious accident.

After all, collaborating with a professional and expert auto transport company to arrange heavy-duty shipping is the best way to maximize load safety and avoid breaking the law.

Tempus Logix is a professional, reputable, and experienced car shipping company that provides shipping services for heavy-duty equipment. The company’s seasoned team can properly arrange the shipment of your heavy equipment from A to Z with the least hassle.

Conclusion

Handling heavy-duty shipping requires a lot of expertise, professionalism, and skill to ensure equipment safety during transportation. Professional auto shippers follow the USDOT regulations regarding load securement and know how to use the right equipment without damaging the machinery, making the process goes smoothly.

Tips for Shipping Classic Cars in Peak Season

Whether it’s an auction, an auto show, or even a vacation, shipping a classic car will need special help from an auto transport company. But what if you needed this help during the peak season when the shipping company’s schedule is busy and the fee is big-budget?

The auto shipping industry is like any other; it’s seasonal, which means that sometimes the demand is growing, and other times it’s falling. And definitely, this alteration will result in cost changes, and the fee will boost during the peak seasons.

What to do and how to get the most reasonable price? Here’s everything you need to know.

Hire a trustworthy auto transport company 

Your classic car is a precious vehicle, and it must be worth thousands of dollars. So, you shouldn’t trust any company with it. The transport company you should hire must have long years of experience in classic car shipping and a spotless track history of implementing safe and fast transport processes.

Clients’ reviews are foolproof for a company’s reliability and will tell you all you need to know about service quality and transport safety. So, read them carefully before hiring the company.

Hiring a professional auto shipping company will save you a lot of money, even if the shipping fees are higher than any unreliable one. Because a classic car needs special handling, and if anything bad happens, the maintenance and repair work will cost you a fortune.  

Consider Tempus Logix, as it has been in the auto shipping industry for a long time and has transported classic and regular cars for many clients, including individuals, companies, car collectors, multi-branch auction houses, and many others.  

Compare quotes

Whether during peak seasons or anytime in the year, classic car shipping costs differ from one company to another. So, comparing quotes will ensure you hire the best company for the most economical fee.

Request your quote by visiting a classic car shipping company’s website and using the free calculator to provide information about your vehicle and the transport method you’re after. The cost calculator is free; you will probably find it on many companies’ websites.

Ensure you get a quote from each reputable classic car shipping company and decide on the best for your budget and needs. For Tempus Logix, the calculator is an accurate one built on machine learning and AI technologies to provide instant quotes.

Book in advance

Since the auto transport industry is seasonal, the company’s schedule gets increasingly busy during specific times of the year, including summer and holidays. Logically, the increased demand will result in a shortage of carriers and drivers.

As a result, the transport fee increases consecutively. So, if you want to guarantee a place for your classic automobile on the carrier you prefer for the economical fee your budget can afford, placing the shipping order in advance would be very smart.

We recommend putting classic car shipping orders in a month before the required delivery date. Your automobile will arrive at its destination when you want without paying extra or staying on hold.

Don’t use the enclosed trailer unless you need it

Most experts advise classic car owners to ship their vehicles in enclosed trailers to keep them safe from all possible dangers. And as a matter of fact, that’s completely correct. However, you must reconsider the open trailer since you want to cut costs.

An open trailer isn’t as dangerous as it’s known, yet it could be a perfect option in specific cases. Suppose the weather is calm and there’s no pouring rain or boiling sun, and the distance from point A to point B is short; your car will arrive safe and sound without a scratch. But remember that the open trailer is only safe if the classic car shipping company is trustworthy.

Have a flexible shipping location

The pickup and delivery location can dramatically affect the classic car shipping cost. For example, if you go for the door-to-door shipping service, the carrier will pick up your classic car next to your house and drop it off in the same place. So you won’t need to drive your car to the terminal or hire someone. This shipping service is always more costly than the other, terminal-to-terminal.

On the other hand, the terminal-to-terminal shipping service requires you to drive your classic car to a prearranged location and pick it up from the same spot. Because the terminal-to-terminal shipping service doesn’t require much effort and time from the side of the shipping company, it’s affordable. So, if your classic car is operable, the terminal-to-terminal shipping service is the option that will cut you many costs.  

Look for discounts 

Some companies, including Tempus Logix, offer competitive offers and discounts for returning clients. So, if you have ever shipped your car with the company’s help, they will provide you with a generous offer that will save you serious money. In addition, if you’re a retired or active military member, senior citizen, or a college student, many auto transport companies will be happy to give you a big discount.

Conclusion 

Classic car shipping cost grows dramatically in peak season, and it may not be affordable for all owners. However, by following the suggestions mentioned above, the price will be reasonable to some extent, and your beloved vehicle will arrive at its destination safely.

Evaluating Car Shipping Companies via BBB Ratings

When choosing a service provider, the phrase “accredited by the Better Business Bureau” has a powerful effect on clients since it evokes a sense of trust and relief. The Better Business Bureau can greatly influence clients’ decisions, either encouraging or discouraging them from using the services of a specific provider.

Moreover, in an industry that is not heavily regulated, like auto transport, BBB ratings can greatly help people considering using auto transport services to examine the history and performance of their chosen auto shipper.

This article emphasizes the importance of researching and evaluating auto shipping companies. Additionally, it provides an overview of the Better Business Bureau, including how to evaluate auto shipping companies using BBB ratings.

The Importance of Researching and Evaluating Auto Shipping Companies

Seeking advice can help people determine whether the auto transport service is worth their money. However, evaluating an auto shipper before signing contracts has several benefits.

Avoiding scammers

Scammers tend to find ways to take advantage of unsuspecting clients. Although their tricks are more easily discovered nowadays, individuals unfamiliar with how to verify the authenticity of a service provider may still fall prey to them. Therefore, taking the time to perform due diligence, check, research, and evaluate an auto transport company’s services and performance can spare car owners from falling victim to deceptive auto transport companies.

Learning from Others

Researching and evaluating auto transport companies involves examining previous customers’ reviews. These reviews can reveal how an auto transporter values customer satisfaction based on the number of clients who leave positive feedback on different rating platforms. It goes without saying that customer reviews are a crucial factor that can either encourage people to use an auto transport company’s services or steer them away completely.

Choosing The Ideal Company

Clients can better understand what they’re paying for by researching and comparing the services and prices of several auto transport companies. This allows them to make a more informed decision based on each company’s quality of services, performance, and offers.

For instance, clients may discover that investing more money to hire a more professional auto transporter can ensure enhanced safety and efficiency. However, such decisions can only be made after extensive research and evaluation of different providers.

An Overview of the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organization that provides business rating services, is widely recognized as a credible and reliable source of information by both businesses and consumers. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that accreditation and high ratings from the BBB contribute to auto transport companies’ trustworthiness.

Help Consumers Choose Reputable Companies

The BBB website provides extensive information about thousands of businesses and companies, including auto transport companies. BBB’s official website compiles this information from businesses, customers, and public data resources.

Moreover, the platform takes pride in its hard-working team responsible for verifying the validity of the information provided about each business. The team also conducts thorough background research on each company’s performance and reliability. As a result, customers can access information and ratings on various auto transport companies on the BBB website, compare them, and check their reliability.

Promote Marketplace Trust

The BBB primarily aims to promote honest and professional work practices and encourage companies to be self-regulated. BBB can fulfill this mission by assigning each company a letter rating based on the company’s performance and compliance with BBB’s work standards.

The BBB’s rating system considers several factors that determine the accountability of the involved businesses. The letter ratings range from A+ as the highest to F as the lowest. However, auto transport companies must abide by the strict BBB standards and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction to achieve an A+ rating.

Evaluating Auto Shipping Companies Using BBB Ratings

The Better Business Bureau is one of the most reliable rating platforms for researching auto shipping companies. Still, the platform recommends customers not solely rely on its evaluation but also look for additional resources for their peace of mind.

The BBB website contains a list of numerous auto transport companies, whether accredited or unaccredited that online users can browse through. After choosing a specific company, the website provides information that helps users learn about the reliability of the chosen company. For instance, every company’s profile demonstrates the company’s licenses, compliance with regulations and rules, years of experience, customer complaints, and customer reviews.

An Example of a BBB Accredited Auto Transport Company

Tempus Logix is the go-to auto transport company for reliable auto transport services and is accredited by BBB with an A+ rating! Additionally, the company has received an impressive rating of 4.9 out of 5 on both Google and Facebook, with over 1000 online reviews from satisfied clients.

Finally, it is vital to thoroughly research different auto transport companies and evaluate the quality of their services before hiring one. Indeed, the BBB is a great website to find meticulously vetted companies and asses their performance.

How to Evaluate Auto Transport Quotes Efficiently

An auto transport quote is the biggest question mark in a car owner’s mind, especially if they’re hiring an auto transport company for the first time. An auto transport quote is calculated after considering many factors about the shipped car’s state, pick-up and delivery locations, carrier type, and others; however, even with that in mind, a car owner might not know why they got a high or a low quote.

In this article, we’re spotlighting the essential things that help a car owner understand the auto transport quote calculation process and how to get the best deal.

1.      Evaluate the company’s reliability

Before trusting an auto transport company and ordering a quote, one has to ensure that the company they’re about to deal with is trustworthy. With an increased number of online auto transport companies, it’s easy to mix a reliable company with a scam one. So, one has to get to know what makes a company eligible.

A reliable auto transport company should:

• Be licensed by the FMCSA and DOT
• Be highly experienced
• Has a wide network of carriers
• Be highly rated by previous clients
• Offer reasonable quotes

2.      Assess your car’s state 

Auto transport quotes greatly vary depending on the shipped car’s state. Shipping an inoperable vehicle, for example, always cost more than an operable one. And that’s because shipping inoperable cars require extra tools and special expertise that isn’t needed for transporting any car in a healthy state.

In addition, the size of the shipped vehicle matters; the bigger the car, the more space it will occupy on the trailer and the more the fee.

3.      Type of carrier

An auto transport quote can dramatically alter depending on the shipping carrier’s type. All auto transport companies impose high fees for utilizing an enclosed carrier, as it fits only a small number of cars, isn’t fuel efficient, is challenging to maneuver, and operate it requires additional permits.

On the other hand, an open transport trailer is a flexible carrier that fits up to eight cars at a time, is easier to maneuver, and consumes less fuel. So, one has to keep in mind that an auto transport quote is greatly affected by the type of trailer one choose.

4.      Pickup and delivery locations 

Whether it’s an open or enclosed trailer, the distance between point A and point B is the baseline of the auto transport quote. The longer the distance, the more the mileage, and the more the fee. 

However, it isn’t only the distance between pickup and drop-off locations that determine the transport quote; the auto transport service also plays a significant role. A door-to-door auto transport service requires more effort on the auto transport company’s part and additional fees and permits for accessing residential areas.

That’s why the fee increases. However, going for the terminal-to-terminal auto transport service is an affordable option that slashes the auto transport quote. 

5.      The auto transport season

Auto transport companies work under excessive stress in the peak auto transport season, the snowbirds season, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the college semester beginning. So, to be able to operate efficiently under such acute pressure and to be able to arrange with more auto transport carriers in a record time, auto transport companies increase their quotes. 

So, securing an auto transport quote outside the peak seasons is recommended if a car owner wants to transport their car for a fair price and without any extras. 

6.      Compare quotes 

The golden tip for getting the best deal from the most reputable auto transport company is to compare quotes. Car owners shouldn’t settle for the first company they find and accept the first quote they get. Rather, they should confirm the reliability of as many auto transport companies as possible and order quotes from them all. Then, compare the given quotes as well as the company’s reliability and compliance with the standards mentioned above and hire the one that prevails.

This step is crucial as auto transport quote dramatically differs from one service provider to another. So, going the extra mile and consuming a little more time ordering and comparing quotes will definitely pay off.

Well-known auto transport companies such as Tempus Logix impose very reasonable quotes, and that’s after evaluating all factors involved, from the car’s state to the pickup and delivery locations. Tempus Logix also offers very generous discounts for returning clients, college students, senior citizens, and active military members

One won’t need to wait long to get an auto transport quote from Tempus Logix, as the AI cost calculator this company integrates into its website is a sophisticated, speedy tool that generates real-time, accurate auto transport quotes for free.

The bottom line

All the factors mentioned above directly impact an auto transport quote. And learning about them in detail will help car owners determine whether or not the auto transport quote they get is fair or not. However, collaborating with a reputable, experienced, and reliable auto transport company guarantee clients the most professional service for the fairest price.

Transporting Oversized Loads: Challenges and Solutions

Shipping large or oversized loads can be daunting for many heavy-duty auto transport companies. Vehicles, machinery, or construction equipment are hefty loads that require special handling, transportation expertise, and obtaining the necessary permits since they cannot be transported using average or typical carriers.

Heavy-haul shipping companies have to overcome several challenges to become effective and reliable in the industry. This article will discuss the challenges and solutions companies face when shipping heavy-duty vehicles.

Variety of Auto Shipping Tools

Typically, all heavy-duty machinery is provided with shipping tools tailored to its requirements to avoid damage during shipping and ensure the cargo’s safety.

For example, flatbeds are ideal for transporting large and bulky items that cannot fit in a closed container, while lowboys are suitable for shipping heavy equipment that requires low clearance.

Moreover, multi-axle trailers transport heavy machinery that exceeds the legal weight limit. They can handle an extensive range of weight loads and provide better stability and balance during transit, reducing the risk of damage.

In addition to these specialized trailers, auto-shipping tools include various containers and accessories, such as crates, skids, and pallets. These tools help to secure the machinery and prevent it from shifting or moving during transit, reducing the risk of damage.

An auto shipping company must have access to all types of heavy-duty shipping tools to fulfill client requests.

Infrastructure Limitations

Some machinery can be quite large and difficult to maneuver on the road since many streets can be narrow and unaccommodated to larger vehicles or machines. Sometimes, even bridges or tunnels on the road can become quite an obstacle in shipping large machinery or vehicles. Hence, heavy-duty vehicle shipping companies plan different routes to avoid potential damages and achieve maximum efficiency while transporting different types of oversized cargo.

In order to execute successful shipping plans, a thorough understanding of all the relevant roads, highways, interstates, and local regulations is required. Auto shipping companies possess this knowledge and expertise, allowing them to plan the most efficient routes that minimize driving time and ensure the successful completion of the task.

High Auto Shipping Costs

Transporting large and heavy cargo is not easy, and it requires specialized heavy equipment transportation that can be quite expensive. These tools must also be regularly maintained to ensure their safe and efficient operation; maintaining such equipment requires skilled professionals, who may not always be readily available.

One such tool is the crane, which is crucial in lifting and moving heavy objects. To keep cranes in optimal condition, they must be checked around four times yearly. During these inspections, the electrical circuits, air conditioners, and ventilators are examined and replaced if necessary. Furthermore, the crane’s parts, such as cables and electric rooms, must be inspected to detect any signs of wear and tear or damage.

Another essential tool for moving heavy cargo is trailers. Trailers also require regular inspections to ensure their safe operation, typically twice a year. The brakes, tires, and electric wiring are carefully examined during these inspections for any potential issues. Any worn or damaged components are replaced to prevent accidents or damage during transportation.

While cost is a big issue, there is no way around paying the necessary amounts to ensure the quality of equipment used in heavy-duty shipping.

Legal and regulatory requirements

To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, shipping companies must ensure that all shipments are accompanied by necessary documentation and permits. For instance, wide loads, which are wider than 8.5 feet, may not fit on highways for road travel, while oversized loads typically exceed legal limits. Such shipments require careful handling, appropriate permits, and legal documentation, depending on their type. As a result, reputable shipping companies take steps to shield their clients from the complex legal requirements of the shipping industry.

Failing to meet these requirements can result in severe consequences, such as fines, legal penalties, and reputational damage. Therefore, shipping companies must remain vigilant and keep up-to-date with the latest regulations to ensure compliance and minimize risk.

Theft

A prevalent fear of any client is theft, as this problem isn’t limited to one industry. Heavy-duty shipping companies are always alert and looking to prevent any exploitation of the cargo while shipping. Using high-security rear door locks and air cuff locks on shipping containers is a simple yet effective example of how companies take measures to prevent easy access to their shipments.

Summary

Heavy-duty shipping companies face various issues during the shipping process. Yet, the continuous strive to improve and be the best in the industry motivates them to find solutions to the challenges that arise. Finding the best routes and modes of transport while managing all the legal, environmental, and other aspects is only a glimpse into what these shipping companies do to provide quality services and cater to their customer’s preferences.

Tempus Logix has provided all types of auto transport services for the past eight years. So far, the company has shipped over 45,000 vehicles across the United States, including heavy-duty vehicles of different types. In order to overcome different challenges, Tempus Logix partners with more than 25,000 carriers nationwide to ensure access to professional tools and trailers when needed.

Will AI Replace Human Car Shippers?

Workers in the car shipping industry carry significant burdens while doing their best to ensure a safe and efficient car shipping process. They are the cornerstone of the industry and essential to the effectiveness of all shipping processes.

However, there has recently been a buzz about AI potentials and capabilities, mainly whether AI will replace or assist human car shippers. Several considerations must be addressed when answering this question.

This article explores AI’s capabilities, uses, and types in the car shipping industry and discusses the assumption of AI replacing human car shippers.

Uses of AI in Car Shipping and its Benefits

Integrating AI tools in the car shipping processes has become more prevalent in recent years. AI can simplify tasks and maximize work efficiency in different ways, including:

Increasing Productivity through Tasks Automation

Automating tasks, especially mundane ones, can significantly increase efficiency and productivity in car shipping processes. For example, requesting car shipping quotes through AI-based cost calculators provides clients with instant results. This technology also maximizes responsiveness and allows car shipping companies to reduce distractions coming from minor tasks.

Moreover, AI can enhance other shipping practices, like inspecting cars before and after shipping and monitoring their conditions during shipping. This factor increases cargo safety and avoids disputes resulting from inadequate manual car inspections.

Predicting the Demand for Car Shipping

Car shipping companies can employ AI tools to act proactively and gain an advantage over their competitors, predicting the demand for car shipping services and market trends. Car shipping companies can use this information to appropriately prepare their staff and resources and professionally respond to market demands.

By using AI to analyze the car shipping market, companies can target and reach more clients by adapting their services to meet their expectations.

Scheduling Car Shipments

AI can plan and schedule car shipments, saving time and effort for car shipping workers. AI also ensures timely deliveries since it can accurately analyze the shipping requirements, route availability, and estimated timeframes for carriers to reach their destination. In addition, it provides some helpful tactics that will cut costs and time.

Personalizing Car Shipping Services

In a more innovative level of integrating AI in car shipping processes, AI has the potential to take car owners’ experience with car shipping to a more advanced level by providing them with personalized services.

Car shipping companies can use AI to study clients’ needs, priorities, and preferences after analyzing their shipping history to gain insightful data that will help predict the optimal shipping mode for each client distinctively.

Types of AI for Car Shipping

Different types of AI can be used to maximize car shipping processes and efficiency. Machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing are most commonly used in different industries. In the car shipping industry:

1. Machine learning can predict the demand for car shipping, identify the most efficient routes, and provide real-time data about market status.
2. Computer vision can be used for inspecting cars and monitoring their condition during shipping since it allows the software to understand and analyze images and videos.
3. Natural language processing can be used for optimizing customer service and communication with clients, as well as generating shipping operation reports and being able to read and understand human language.

Will AI Replace Human Car Shippers?

With the accelerating development of AI and the growing number of industries using it to simplify work, the primary concern for many people is whether AI will take their job positions in the future. This is an intensely debated topic in the business world these days.

However, analyses of various markets show that AI, in its current form, is still far from completely undertaking the role of humans in different fields, especially those that require human intervention, like car shipping.

Various considerations make the notion of having AI replace human car shippers inapplicable. Some of these are:

1. Regulatory challenges: The official entities regulating car shipping procedures in the United States mandate car shippers to abide by strict safety laws. Likely, legislating the use of AI in most car shipping processes to the extent that it doesn’t require human aid will not be recognized shortly.
2. Public reception: Depending on AI to handle the entire shipping process from A to Z may not resonate acceptably among car owners, who would be concerned about their cars’ safety and the reliability of AI alone in protecting them. The public’s worries would significantly impact adopting such practices in the car shipping industry.

As a result, AI is still in its initial stages, and it is not quite possible that it will be able to replace humans. Moreover, people should learn how to make the most of these intelligent tools and adapt them to their work practices. AI proves to be a magnificent assistant that can offer business operators incredible growth opportunities.

Conclusion

AI has many practical uses and benefits for the car shipping industry, including improving productivity, predicting demand for car shipping, scheduling shipments, and providing personalized services. However, AI is still far from replacing humans at work despite its significant contributions to the workplace.

Tempus Logix is a professional car shipping company that has already integrated AI into its shipping processes by investing in a cutting-edge smart calculator. Customers can easily and swiftly order car shipping quotes using the company’s AI-based calculator and filling out their shipping information.

The Impact of Auto Transport on Cars

While cars have become an essential need for every individual in the United States and worldwide, no one can go anywhere without a car, whether public or personal. So, even when one travels, many resort to auto transport services to drive themselves anywhere immediately and use their vehicle! These services, however, have different impacts on shipped cars; some are positive, and others are negative. 

So, in this article, we highlight the positive and negative impacts of auto transport services on cars and their owners. 

Positive Impacts

Having one’s car transported to their destination without any worry about the drive, routes, and stops is a great advantage that has allowed many people to enjoy their travels stress-free while keeping their cars safe and secure.

No Added Wear and Tear

While the engine won’t start, the steering wheel won’t spin, and the car’s wheels won’t touch the ground, the chances of damage, regardless of the trailer’s type, are much lower than driving it.

It’s also worth noting that long car drives can cause tire wear, undercarriage damage, and an exhausted system. In addition, the deadly accidents that tens of drivers get involved with, damaging their cars and harming themselves, aren’t there. 

Safe Through All Weather Conditions

By driving long distances, a car can never avoid the weather conditions, whether severe cold or scorching heat. Hot weather, to begin with, can be more detrimental to cars than winter. It can raise a car’s temperature, increasing the possibility of a battery failure, causing the car to burn oil quickly, and so on.

Additionally, cold weather can significantly decrease a car’s battery capacity and performance, not to mention the risks of driving in heavy rain or thick snow. All of these challenges can be mitigated by employing an auto-transport trailer. Even if it’s an open trailer and the car is exposed, the risks are more manageable than driving it on the road.

Insurance 

To get into an accident and damage one’s car, one must have collision or liability coverage, which is a minimum of $290 per year. However, not all car owners can benefit from this insurance, as those with a bad history of violations and accidents must pay a higher insurance fee.

When collaborating with a reputable auto transport company for shipping a car, auto transport insurance is automatically included in the transport deal. Nevertheless, each auto shipping company provides different insurance coverage than another, so confirming this point with the service provider is crucial before the vehicle is on the way. 

Negative Impacts

Even though auto transport services solve many problems and can be life-saving solutions in some cases, there are some negative impacts of these services on the car and its owner.

Risk of Damage

Due to its economical price and relatively safe shipping process, most car owners resort to open auto transport. However, this auto shipping option isn’t 100% safe and guaranteed under severe weather and road conditions.

For example, the car’s paint can fade due to sun exposure; extreme cold can also thicken its oil and freeze its fuel lines. In addition, if the shipping trip is long, dirt and dust can accumulate, a problem that may concern classic and luxury car owners.

High Cost

One can eliminate all the abovementioned problems by opting for the safer auto transport option, enclosed shipping. However, they will encounter a different issue. Renting an enclosed trailer is more expensive than an open one because the privacy and protection levels are higher.

The trailer is fully covered, and external conditions won’t affect a shipped car. Additionally, the enclosed trailer is smaller than the open one, accommodating fewer vehicles resulting in a higher charge.

Vandalism and Theft

During the auto transport process, trailer drivers take regular breaks to ensure the shipment’s safety. During such breaks, and in the worst scenarios, vandals can access the shipped cars—if they are in an open trailer—and cause harm to them. In addition, any personal belongings packed in the car can be stolen if not properly secured.

In fact, in some auto transport companies, it isn’t allowed to pack any personal belongings in the car, and the company doesn’t take responsibility for them. For others, it’s allowed; however, personal belongings are typically not included in the insurance coverage, so if anything is lost or damaged, it’s the client’s responsibility. As for acts of vandalism, most auto transport companies’ insurance policies cover them.

Conclusion

Even though there are some negative impacts of auto transport services, similar to anything in life, one can’t let go of them. The time, energy, and money auto transport services save are great.

Tempus Logix, a long-experienced auto transport company with a long list of shipping achievements, has shipped more than 45,000 vehicles of all types and 67 million miles safely driven.