Expert Advice on Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shipping

Auto transport companies fulfill many Harley Davidson motorcycle shipping requests daily. Some clients might be relocating to a new home in another state. Others are taking their motorcycles to and from rallies to enjoy the riding experience with motorcycle enthusiasts.

Whatever the shipping reason is, an auto transport service is the best choice to move a motorcycle from point A to B. In this article, we will help motorcycle owners by providing some excellent expert advice about Harley Davidson motorcycle shipping.

Choose the Best Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shipping Company

The first step to achieving a safe transportation process is choosing the most qualified shipping company capable of carrying out motorcycle transportation successfully. 

This step may sound easy, but the significant number of auto transport companies will surely make things extremely difficult for customers to make a confident choice. However, there are some important factors to consider while choosing a trustworthy carrier:

• The company must be licensed by the Department of Transport and has an authorized MC number. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gives this number to prove that the company is working under safety and insurance regulations. No one should deal with an illegal company and hand in their motorcycle without verifying the company’s legitimacy first.
• An extensive experience in motorcycle shipping is another essential factor in evaluating the company’s efficiency. Bike owners can check whether the service provider has accomplished their previous motorcycle transportation orders successfully or if they are new to performing this type of shipping by looking for the company’s track record.
• Good communication and customer service can’t be compromised when looking for a reliable shipping company. Customer reviews are a great indicator demonstrating the company’s interest in customer satisfaction and their way of dealing with unexpected accidents that may occur during shipping.     

Select the Suitable Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shipping Method

Auto transport companies offer two options to ship a motorcycle:

• Open auto transport: this is an economical option that involves loading bikes on an open trailer with no sides; this means the trailer will not be able to protect the load against outdoor factors such as bad weather conditions and dust. Therefore, this method is preferred to ship bikes for short distances and during good weather seasons only.
• Enclosed auto transport: enclosed box-like trailers are used in this transportation method to provide utmost protection from all road elements; this extra protection comes with a higher cost. It is advised to use this service when shipping unique luxury motorcycles if the bike owner has to send their precious motorbike in bad weather conditions and for long-distance travel. Read more about open vs enclosed car shipping.

Don’t Forget to Set the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shipping Cost

Motorcycle owners have to decide on the amount of cash they are willing to pay to get their bikes shipped in advance. Luckily, reliable auto transport companies offer a free motorcycle shipping calculator on their websites to estimate the shipping quote. This calculator can help customers get an approximate transport price to compare different quotes and service features easily.

The cost depends on several factors:

• Shipping method: enclosed auto transport is more expensive since it provides complete protection. Most motorcycle owners choose this shipping type since open transport can be pretty harsh on bikes.
• Time of the year: it’s well-known that the demand for shipping services increases at specific times, such as December and August. So, the cost will be higher than any other time. 
• Advanced booking: if the bike owner is in a hurry to get their motorcycle transported, they have to prepare to pay extra costs for a fast shipping service.

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shipping Preparations

Proper shipping preparation is the motorcycle owner’s responsibility; it helps prevent many risks during the transporting process. Some essential pieces of advice for preparing a motorcycle are: 

–  Remove all personal belongings and additional accessories

The auto transport company’s insurance doesn’t cover personal items lost or damaged. Additionally, the shipping process may take several days and even weeks. Therefore, loose items will risk shaking and falling the whole time.

–  Check the fuel tank.

If the bike is going to be hauled across the states, the motorcycle’s tank has to be only one-quarter full. However, international shipping drains the tank completely; the same goes for all other fluids.

–  Check the tires

Tires play a significant role in motorcycle safety while in transit; the motorcycle owner should ensure the tires are slightly deflated to help absorb road effects and provide additional bike protection.

–  Inspect the motorcycle’s 

A motorcycle’s owner must inspect their bike by documenting its pre-shipping state and taking pictures from different angles. This step will help clients spot any new damage or scratch which might have happened during the shipment.

Read also Answers to All Common Motorcycle Shipping Questions.

Conclusion

There is much to learn about Harley Davidson motorcycle shipping. However, a trustworthy auto transport company and proper pre-shipping preparation can guarantee a trouble-free transporting process.

Tempus Logix can transport all motorcycles, including Harley Davidson and others. The company has already shipped tens of thousands of vehicles across the US.

How to Get a Car as a College Student?

Buying a car in college is a life-changing step that can be both exciting and challenging because college students will have to face two significant issues: unlimited car options and financial constraints. 

Most college students want their car on campus to enjoy fast and convenient travel, especially those far from school. Therefore, it is necessary to plan the purchase carefully and gather as much information as possible to get a decent car on the road without draining their pockets.

Buying Car Costs

College students must determine how much they will pay to get the car. It is worth noting that the expenses of purchasing a car go beyond the car’s price to include:

Car insurance

Buying a car comes with additional expenses, and since college students already have rent and tuition fees to pay, it is recommended to look for affordable insurance. Auto insurance companies offer two main insurance discounts for college students:

Good Student Discount

This discount is for students 25 years of age or younger with a GPA of 3.0 or higher that they must maintain for their studies.

Resident student auto insurance

This insurance plan provides full-time college students who study 100 miles from home discounted quotes with a clean driving history.

On and off-campus parking

Students must pay a large fee of up to a few hundred dollars per semester if they want to park their cars near the dorms and classroom buildings. Off-campus parking is not much cheaper, though. 

Maintenance costs and gas usage 

Cars need repairs regularly, mainly used vehicles with high mileage. To calculate the sufficient maintenance cost, a student has to check out the average car’s repair cost and remember to save a few hundred dollars for emergency maintenance.

In addition, college students must ensure they buy an economical car, so they don’t suffer the enormous financial implications of increased gas prices.

Buying the Right Car

Some college students may consider buying a used car to cut costs, unaware of how much money it will cost them to carry out all the repair work. Therefore, students should consider the following tips to ensure they get the most out of their budget:

Start the search online

After determining the budget and choosing the type of car to buy, the next step is to search for different models. Then, a buyer has to get expert advice about the potential car and read plenty of online reviews from previous or current owners of the same car model. Buying decisions should be based on the available knowledge a buyer can get by researching online.

Inspect the car

A buyer must check the car’s interior, exterior, and underneath. They should also ensure that all electronic devices are operating correctly and seek mechanical assistance to assess the overall operable condition of the vehicle.

Driving test

After the examination, a student has to drive the car and pay attention to the sound of its operation, brakes, turns, and smooth stops. 

Ask for a vehicle report (Carfax)

If the driving test ends well, asking the car dealer for a vehicle report is necessary. The information includes the history of the vehicle’s repair and maintenance so the buyer can know whether the car has had any accidents before.

Get the car delivered

After making the purchase decision, it is time to get it delivered to its new home. College students might not have enough time and experience to drive their vehicles safely, mainly when discussing long-distance trips.

Therefore, the wisest decision is to hire a reliable auto transport company to carry out the process efficiently.  However, finding a trustworthy service provider is not an easy task; there are a few things to consider before booking the transport service:

Only work with licensed companies

A client has to check the company’s website for their MC and USDOT numbers and check them on the FMCSA website to ensure the company is registered and operating legally.

Relevant experience

The company must have all the necessary equipment and a professional team to carry out safe transportation. Verifying an auto transport company’s experience can be done quickly by checking their track record and customer reviews.

Car shipping discounts for students

Some shipping companies offer a student discount as they believe being in school is a huge responsibility, and college students already have enough to worry about. So, a student has to inquire about the discounts to get the best price possible.

Read our Guide to Car Shipping for College Students

Go for open auto transport

There are two main shipping options to choose from, open trailer and enclosed trailer. The latter provides the utmost protection for shipped vehicles but costs more than open auto transport. Therefore, college students who want to save money should book an open trailer which is the best way to ship daily-drive cars since it is more available and affordable.

Read about Open vs. Enclosed Vehicle Shipping.

Conclusion

Having a car while in college will make life easier for students; however, they should take their time and think wisely before purchasing. Following the steps and tips mentioned above will guarantee that students get the best car that corresponds to their budget.

No matter what school you go to when you place an order for a new car, you can always call Tempus Logix to ensure your vehicle is delivered to your new destination easily and affordably.

How Secure are Cars on Truck Trailers?

When planning to transport your car using an auto transport service, it’s natural to be concerned about car safety on truck trailers during the transportation process. The operations of loading, moving, and unloading involve various risks that need to be mitigated to ensure your car arrives in pristine condition. Many people are unsure about what to check to ensure their cars will have a safe trip. They are also unaware of the procedures that shipping companies must follow to provide the best truck transport service.

Understanding the elements that guarantee a safe transportation journey can provide peace of mind. This article will detail the transportation process and explain how transport companies maintain car safety on truck trailers. Various factors, including the condition of the truck trailer, the expertise of the drivers, the use of appropriate safety measures, and compliance with industry regulations, all play a critical role in ensuring a secure and efficient transport experience.

By learning about these aspects, you can be more confident in the safety of your vehicle during transport.

Professional Drivers are Essential

The most critical security factor is the truck drivers. They are the ones to lead, control, and determine whether the safety system will operate correctly or not. A skillful driver means fewer chances of an accident and more efficient service. Tempus Logix contracts with thousands of experienced truck drivers nationwide to ensure the best truck transport service for clients.

Driver error is the most crucial cause of transportation accidents. The errors involve driving too fast or too close to other vehicles on the road and loading / unloading mistakes. All of which could lead to damaging your valuable car.

Basic guidelines for truck trailer drivers

Adjust their driving to the type of vehicle they are operating

Dealing with small cars is not the same as dealing with trucks; they have different sizes and features. The car trailers are longer, heavier, and less flexible. Best truck trailer drivers have adjusted their driving habits to all of these features to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Have an excellent physical condition

The physical condition is essential in choosing a trailer driver; the trip duration with few rest stops puts the drivers under tremendous physical and mental strain. A reliable truck transport company should carefully choose the drivers to meet the physical requirements for such a position.

Know everything about transportation regulations

Truck trailer drivers must know about the country’s transportation and shipping regulations, especially if they have to move from one state to another to deliver the cars.

Each Truck Trailer Has Its Safety Measure

Open Auto Transport

This type of service involves loading the cars on open carriers, which leaves the vehicles exposed to dust, rain, and other environmental changes. It doesn’t mean they will harm your vehicle during the transportation process, but no one can control the weather or other surrounding factors.

While accidents or damage are uncommon, the potential still exists. Open auto carriers provide front and back protection for vehicles, keeping them secure using chains or other methods.

Enclosed Auto Transport

This is the most secure way to transport vehicles. It’s often used by classic car owners who value their vehicles’ safety. It’s quite an expensive service that ensures complete protection from all sides.

Enclosed transportation involves shipping cars in box-like trailers that protect them from damage. These truck trailers often feature double-decking and come equipped with drip pans to prevent fluid transmission from higher-level cars to lower-level ones.

Read more about Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping.

How Do the Truck Trailers Stay Stable?

The trailers are made of two main parts. The first is the trailer box, which is made of solid and durable materials. The second part is the tongue, an extension of the box directly connected to the truck. The tongue weight is the primary key to ensuring trailer stability, which prevents the trailer from swaying and returns it to equilibrium status.

Due to the way the best truck trailers are made, even if some accident happens, the cars won’t fall off in most cases. It requires a heavy crush to cause real damage. Therefore, truck trailers are designed to provide the highest protection to the vehicles it transports.

Read about Types of Auto Transport Carriers.

Safe Loading and Unloading Operations

Truck trailers are provided with all necessary equipment to make the loading and unloading process secure and safe.

Some types of open carrier beds lower to the ground, allowing for a safe and easy load for all vehicles. Moreover, enclosed trailers often come equipped with a hydraulic lift, ensuring a secure horizontal load for the cars.

Once the vehicle is lifted into the truck trailer, a team of transport professionals stabilizes it using chains and steel wire ropes. For clients seeking complete safety, drivers can replace these chains with straps. This provides additional protection and prevents any possible damage to the car body and wheels.

Insurance

Most reliable truck transport companies have an insurance system to cover all sorts of damage related to the shipping process. Even if the chances of this occurring are meager, no one can tell what will happen in the future.

A little more care won’t harm. However, there is one condition to benefit from the insurance offered by transportation companies. The car owners must write down or record all details about their vehicle’s status before handing the keys to the staff.

Conclusion

Many people are concerned about whether their cars are secure on reliable truck transport trailers or not. The answer is yes, car safety on truck trailers is well-maintained, making vehicle transportation with truck trailers safe and secure.

These trailers have a unique design to maintain their stability on the roads, well-trained drivers adapted to drive heavy-duty vehicles and oversized trailers, different levels of protection from external factors, safe loading/unloading procedures, and insurance to cover any damage.

If you’re too worried about shipping your valuable car, you can save time and pick a professional, reputable company to handle the process on your behalf. Tempus Logix has over 30,000 delivered vehicles in its portfolio across the US, and that’s enough to prove how trustworthy the company is.

The Ultimate Guide to Transporting a Backhoe in 2022

Transporting a backhoe is a challenging task. This enormous construction machinery requires considerable planning, suitable transport equipment, and strict compliance with federal and local regulations to implement safe and legal shipping. 

Therefore, many backhoe owners rely on auto transport companies to move their heavy equipment even if the shipping distance isn’t long because even short travels require the same preparation and resources. As a result, it is significant for owners to know all details about the process of transporting a backhoe and how to find the most reliable company qualified for such a complex job. 

Hiring a Professional Auto Transport Company

Since there are a massive number of companies that offer heavy equipment transporting services, finding the best would be challenging. Here are the most crucial things to look for in a transport company:

1. The company must be licensed and has an authorized MC number. This number is a deal breaker. And if a company doesn’t provide it or has one, a client should look for another. 

Why is an MC number significant?

It can help customers check the company’s legal situation and know whether they are a common carrier, contract carrier, or broker.

2. Oversized cargo needs special permits to transport legally across the state, and each state has criteria for granting these permits. So, the company must know about heavy local and federal vehicle shipping regulations.
3. Pertinent experience is also a critical factor in comparing service providers; transporting a Backhoe requires proper planning and high loading, securing, and driving skills.

Trailers Used in Heavy Equipment Transportation:

Choosing a suitable shipping trailer is somewhat confusing, especially for someone who ships a backhoe for the first time.  Here are the trailers used for transporting a backhoe:

• Flatbed Trailers: this type of trailer is excellent for small-sized backhoes. This carrier can haul loads with a maximum of 48,000 pounds weight, and its cost is less expensive than other types of trailers. Read about the Pros and Cons of Flatbed Trucking.
• Step Deck Trailers: this carrier can carry loads up to 48,000 pounds like flatbed trailers. The only difference is that step deck trailers can be used to transport equipment of more than 8.5 feet height without exceeding the height limits. 
• Removable Gooseneck Trailers (RGN): RNG trailers have various designs with vast capacities that can exceed 150,000 pounds for specialized trailers. 

Loading and Securing a Backhoe:

To choose the right heavy-duty hauler for transporting a backhoe and implementing an appropriate loading operation, auto transport companies often follow these procedures:

• Determine the backhoe dimensions: information about the heavy equipment’s weight, height, width, and length is essential for the transport company. They will determine the trailer type to be used accordingly. 
• Inspect the truck trailer: before loading heavy equipment on the trailer, the auto transport company’s team will ensure the truck and trailer tire condition is adequate to handle a heavy load without getting damaged. Add to this; a large backhoe can limit the truck’s braking abilities, so the team must check the operating braking condition.
• Load and secure the backhoe: the backhoe must be loaded slowly with utmost care to ensure that most heavy equipment weight is distributed towards the trailer front. Securing the load is equally essential. They should start with applying the backhoe parking brake. This step is critical to ensure the load won’t run off the trailer. In addition, they should use tie-downs and chains to keep the equipment in place while in transit.

Transporting a Backhoe Preparation:

Finding a trustworthy car transport company plays a significant role in the shipping process’s success. Still, safe backhoe transport begins with pre-shipping and proper preparations to ensure the heavy equipment readiness for the move.

• Remove all loose parts or secure them tightly to prevent damage to the backhoe or the shipping team.
• Drain all fluids such as fuel and other liquids to the level required to operate to minimize the leaking risk, which may harm the shipped equipment.
• Cover all vulnerable parts that may get dirtied or damaged during transportation. Remember that shipping heavy equipment on open trailers exposes it to all external factors.
• After the loading operation, don’t forget to disconnect the battery to prevent charge drain.

The Cost of Transporting a Backhoe:

Transporting cost varies depending on several factors such as:

• The heavy equipment dimension: larger equipment consumes more fuel, and drivers often have to take longer routes because oversized loads can’t fit on all roads. Moreover, oversized permits are required to ship cargo exceeding the weight and length limits legally.  
• Pickup and drop-off location: The cost to transport the backhoe increases with the distance between the two locations. Additionally, picking up the load from a rural area far from the main roads increases the travel distance, resulting in higher shipping costs.

Conclusion

There are many things to learn about shipping heavy equipment properly. However, hiring a professional auto transport company can help achieve successful and safe travel.

Tempus Logix is a professional auto transport company specializing in vehicles. Whether it’s a huge backhoe or a tiny car, the company has the suitable trailers to handle the transportation smoothly and affordably.

How To Choose The Best Motorcycle Transportation Company in the US?

Finding the best motorcycle transportation company can be quite challenging, considering the large number of shipping companies offering motorcycle transportation services. Therefore, people may get confused, and it may cause them to misidentify the qualified service providers.

A reliable motorcycle transportation company can help avoid all common shipping incidents. Although motorcycles are small compared to other vehicles, they need special equipment to hold them in place during transportation. They also require a trained staff to handle loading and unloading processes efficiently. Therefore, choosing a well-reputed auto transport company results in stress-free motorcycle transportation.

How to Choose The Best Motorcycle Transportation Company?

Remember that choosing the right company is not easy and requires a bit of research. However, here are a few essential factors to confirm before making the final decision:

Go for a licensed auto transport company

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must authorize all shipping companies to operate legally, following all safety regulations set by the FMCSA, which will submit companies with an MC number to prove their legitimacy.

Auto transport companies often post their MC and USDOT numbers on their website for people to check and verify or provide them when asked. If the company can’t provide those numbers, they are more likely undependable, and it is better not to deal with them.   

Choose a company with relevant motorcycle shipping experience

Best motorcycle transportation companies must be able to prove their adequacy with a track record fueled by successful motorcycle shipping processes. It is important to note that a company’s capability to move a particular type of motorcycle doesn’t mean they are qualified enough to transport all others.

Some companies may be able to ship regular motorcycles. However, they might not have enough experience to move the luxury type, which requires more care and special equipment to implement the shipping task smoothly.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to check whether the company has accomplished shipping a similar motorcycle model successfully or not before deciding to book its services.

The best motorcycle transportation company must have the equipment to handle the shipping process. Although motorcycles are shipped with regular open or enclosed trailers, many other tools are required to hold the vehicle in place and prevent potential damage during transportation.

Moreover, the best motorcycle transportation company must have enough trailers to cover its whole operation territory; so clients can easily schedule a fast shipping order.

Read about Open vs. Enclosed Vehicle Shipping.

Transporting cost and shipping cost calculator

Many people make one of the most common mistakes thinking that booking a low-cost service means they got a good deal, which is far from the truth. While booking the most expensive service can’t guarantee the best transportation experience, going for a cheap one isn’t the most brilliant move either.

Shipping cost is influenced by several factors, including the motorcycle model, shipping method, and distance. As a result, the transport prices vary from one company to another and even within the same company for different moving requests.

Due to these significant cost differences between companies, it will be quite challenging to collect cost-related information to compare and choose the best offer. However, luckily the best motorcycle transportation company provides a motorcycle shipping cost calculator tool on their website to help customers get a free transportation quote in no time. 

Tempus Logix offers an online transportation cost calculator to help clients find out the approximate shipping charges based on their entered parameters. The company is known for its affordable transportation quotes and professional services covering all types of cars, from motorcycles to heavy-duty vehicles. All trailers are available with the required safety tools and trained staff.

Remarkable customer service

A trustworthy motorcycle shipper will always value customers’ time and satisfaction by providing the best customer service possible. They will ensure everyone can reach the customer service personnel to answer all questions, share information, and help provide the right solution. While some auto transport companies offer 24/7 customer service to keep clients updated whenever needed, others provide limited support service.

Review the customer’s feedback online to find out about the service quality and what other people have said about the company’s transportation services. Another recommended approach is reading negative comments and how the company replied back to address people’s complaints. Although it’s impossible to find a company with only positive comments, handling negative comments professionally is a good sign of a trustworthy company.

Insurance

Companies that refuse to provide insurance on the pretext that all their previous deliveries were successful can’t be trusted. The professional auto transport company will employ all its capabilities and experience to ensure a high protection rate during shipping.

However, they will still offer insurance coverage to allow motorcycle owners to ease their minds about their bikes’ safety. Remember that you can negotiate the insurance terms with the auto transport company to reach a mutual agreement.

Conclusion

After deciding to transport a motorcycle, the first step is to look for the best motorcycle transport company. You have to ensure the selected company adheres to the US regulations in the auto transport industry and can provide all required trailers, equipment, and staff to handle the transportation process from A to Z.

Long Distance Boat Transportation Costs and Preparations

Whether a transport company will move your boat across the town or interstate, boat transportation is more complicated than shipping any other type of vehicle. It requires considerable planning and preparations to perform the safest shipping process.

But luckily, auto transport companies are fully aware of boat owners’ concerns about transporting their boats to a distant location. Therefore, they pay careful attention to all details involved in each boat transportation operation to guarantee customer satisfaction for a reasonable price. 

How to Find the Best Auto Transport Company for Long-Distance Boat Transportation?

Boat shipping can never be easy; it requires a lot of planning and extensive expertise. It is essential to look for a proper auto transport company to carry out the transporting process successfully. Moreover, not every shipping company offers boat transport services, and not all have the experience and equipment to perform long-distance boat shipping.

Criteria to look for in a trustworthy shipping company

• The company must be licensed and have the appropriate permits from the Department of Transportation (DOT); regulated service providers often share their MC number on their website or provide it to the customers to check on their legal situation. You should never trust an auto transport company if it doesn’t provide an accurate \ authorized number.
• They should have professional connections with local marinas and must keep updated with local laws.
• The company should have relevant experience in boat shipping and all the necessary tools and equipment to ensure a safe long-distance boat transportation process.

Read more about Boat Transport Companies.

How Much Does Long-Distance Boat Transportation Cost?

The shipping cost differs from one shipping company to another, and it also differs within the same company depending on several factors, including:

Boat Dimensions

One of the most essential factors that affect the shipping cost is the boat measures; to be able to calculate an estimation quote, auto transport companies ask for these boat measurements:

• The boat length: the vessel’s overall length is the total length from the bow tip in a straight line to the vessel’s rear, excluding any attachments such as handles, rudders and outboard motors, and motor brackets.
• The boat height: is measured from the keel’s bottom to the highest non-removable part of the vessel. The maximum bridge clearance in the USA is about 13 feet 6 inches. Boats with a height that exceeds this height limit while loaded on a trailer need special routing and handling. Therefore the boat height measuring must be accurate.
• The boat width: the overall width is measured at the widest point from one side of the vessel to the other, including all attachments. If the boat width is greater than 8 feet 6 inches, it is considered a big boat and requires a permit to be transported across the states.

Distance

Another part of the quote equation is how far the boat will travel; shorter trips cost less than long-distance shipping orders. However, a short distance is not necessarily cheaper since it increases per mile travel costs. 

The Season

Boat shipping is a seasonal service; the demands for the service increase during spring and summer. Therefore, transportation prices rise from April to August. The best time to ship a boat is in winter and autumn because the federal highways are always working, so the route can be shorter, and the whole transporting process will be more economical.

The Transporting Method

Transporting a boat using enclosed trailers will cost more than open trailers since the first provides complete protection against external factors. In addition, the open trailer can fit more boats than the enclosed one.

Read about when to choose enclosed auto transport.

Long Distance Boat Transportation Preparations

Auto transport companies aren’t the only party responsible for the shipped boat safety; the vessel owner is also accountable for properly preparing their boat before sending it to its next destination, following these steps:

• Remove all personal belongings and secure loose items tightly to prevent possible damage while in transit. Because leaving some personal items will increase the boat’s overall weight, auto transport companies’ insurance doesn’t cover any loss in items left in the vessel.
• Drain water from the boat’s water system and air conditioners. Then, disconnect the batteries and secure them carefully before locking the cabin and taping all windows to prevent any possible harm during shipping.
• Documenting the boat’s pre-shipping condition is essential to guarantee that the company will be responsible for any new damage that may accrue along the journey. Start by cleaning the boat and writing down any existing scratches or damage and take pictures if necessary, then submit the document to the service provider. When the vessel reaches its new destination, inspect it carefully before signing the delivery papers.

Conclusion

To accomplish successful long-distance boat transportation, the auto transport company and the vessel owners’ efforts should meet to ensure a safe and secure journey to the boat.

Tempus Logix offers affordable boat transportation services across the United States. The company can provide the required trailer with trained staff and shipping equipment to ensure smooth and fast transportation. The company’s services are not limited to transporting boats but extend to include all types of vehicles like cars, collectible vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and yachts.

Things You Wish You Knew Before Moving Out of State For College

Moving out of state for college is a life-changing event, and it requires comprehensive planning and preparations to run like clockwork. You will be experiencing a whole new independence level. So, it is important to have a clear idea about how to get ready for this hectic new chapter in your life. Listed below are essential tips you should know before moving out for college: 

Get to Know Your New Neighborhood in Advance

The first step before moving to a new state is doing enough research to find out all the essential information about the destination city. Make sure to choose a safe neighborhood by checking the crime rates there; you also have to pay attention to weather differences; low temperatures require more investment in winter clothes.

After arriving, take some time to familiarize yourself with the campus and its surroundings, including grocery stores, coffee shops, entertainment centers, and nearby towns to spend your weekends. One more thing to verify is whether or not you will need to bring your car along when moving out of state for college.

Establish A Routine

Once in college, your schedule will be tight between classes, work, studying, and sparing some time to socialize and have fun. So, if you fail to establish a routine, things may get chaotic to the point you won’t be able to accomplish even the most basic tasks. Therefore, organizing a schedule will help you maintain a good balance in your life and keep on track with all of your responsibilities.

The established routine should include setting well-ordered study times, a weekly to-do list, and some activities to entertain yourself. However, failing to follow up with the planned schedule all the time is not a big deal. The routine is there to help you get back on track whenever things get messy.

Ship Your Car

Since you’ll need your car almost all the time while in the new state for various purposes like attending courses and hanging out with friends, leaving it behind might not be the best decision. So, you will have two options: driving your car to the new settlement or hiring an auto transport company. 

However, moving out of state for college is already a stress overload. So, why not save the trouble? Here are the main two reasons why transporting your car is way better than driving:

• Shipping is safer than driving: long-distance driving is extremely tiring, especially for non-professionals, resulting in a higher likelihood of getting into an accident due to fatigue. In addition, your car might get damaged due to road hazards, uneven streets, and many others.
• Shipping is cheaper than driving: many people think transporting their cars will cost more than driving them. So they turn to that option without even thinking. But actually, hiring an auto transport company to carry out the shipping when moving out of state for college is more economical. 

Read more about Why You Should Ship Your Car to College.

Think about booking hotel rooms along the way, the time you will spend driving, and fuel consumption. Furthermore, your car will be affected by the long ride, especially the wheels.

How to choose the best auto transport company?

Finding a trustworthy shipping company is not accessible due to the vast number of transport providers. These are the significant factors to consider before making your decision:

• Go for a registered company with a valid MC number. Unlicensed companies aren’t trustworthy, and it is illegal to deal with them; contact the transport department to verify companies’ legal information or check their MC number using the FMCSA website. 
• The company must have all necessary equipment and experienced staff to implement a safe transport process for both shipping methods, enclosed and open. Read about Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping.
• The company must offer insurance covering all damage that may occur while in transit; ask for more details about the insurance and what type of damage the company will be responsible for.  
• Check customer reviews to evaluate the company’s reliability; reading about transport experiences shared by people who received the exact service you want to book can tell a lot about what to expect from the service provider. 

Tempus Logix is an auto transport company licensed and bonded with FMCSA and USDOT. The company has delivered more than 30,000 vehicles across the US and has over 1000 online reviews from satisfied clients who entrusted their cars to its shipping services.

Don’t Pack Your Things Randomly

You surely want to take all necessary things before moving out of state for college, but before starting to pack randomly, you might want to consider:

• Things you will need: start with organizing the essential things in boxes first, including clothes, bedding, and toiletries.
• Things you don’t need but would like to take along: after packing all prior belongings, and if there is still space to ship more, you can choose a few things you love but will not use after moving out of state for college. Remember that everything will have to be unpacked and organized again, so pick your items wisely.

Conclusion

Moving out of state can be fun or stressful, depending on how you plan and prepare for it. Don’t forget to start planning early to avoid chaotic last minutes. Enjoy the new experience!

Using Red Flags in Heavy-Duty Vehicle Transportation

The auto transport company is responsible for delivering the vehicles safely and soundly through numerous procedures. Furthermore, they are in charge of the safety of other cars and utilities on the road. Therefore, many additional measures are applied to ensure that heavy-duty vehicles arrive at their destination without hustling.

One of those necessary actions is overhanging a red flag on the carrier in certain situations, presenting a significant sign of possible threats due to its load. Although it’s good to know why transporters use all those red flags and warning signs, you don’t need to worry about any of that when you hire a reliable auto transport company to handle shipping your heavy-duty vehicle.

More details about the importance and uses of red flags in heavy-duty vehicle shipping are discussed in the article below:

Why Heavy-Duty Vehicle Transportation Requires Using Red Flags

You might have noticed a red flag hanging from a trailer carrying a heavy-duty vehicle on the highway, which represents a warning, but what for? Usually, red flags in heavy-duty vehicle transportation are used as indicators that the cargo is protruded from the carrier; this is compatible with many purposes:

Public Safety

Heavy-duty vehicle transportation might present a danger to other vehicles on the road, which calls for increasing the safety distance behind the transporter. It is crucial to raise a warning sign to other drivers through the red flags to be cautious when approaching the transporter.

Cargo Protection

Red flags in heavy-duty vehicle transportation help drivers keep their cargo safe while moving on curved, iced, and bumpy roads, showing them the end of their shipment over the mirrors to avoid accidents.

Regulations and Laws   

The need for red flags in heavy-duty vehicle transportation is not optional. The Department of Transportation in different states imposes hanging them on the overloaded trailers along with other regulations. Therefore, drivers use red flags whenever necessary to avoid breaking the law and getting fined.

When Heavy-Duty Vehicle Transportation Uses Red Flags

As we mentioned earlier, red flags in heavy-duty vehicle transportation are used when a trailer is carrying a projecting heavy-duty vehicle, but this also applies to all commercial motor vehicles that are loading a projected freight.

Whether the projection is from the back of the carrier or over the sides, as long as it exceeds 4 feet, it requires hanging at least three indicators. On the other hand, if the freight is less than 2 feet wide, one indicator is enough.

How to Use Red Flags in Heavy-Duty Vehicle Transportation

As the law enforces, all types of trailers carrying heavy-duty vehicles projecting more than 4 feet should mark it with red flags. The warning signs are required to indicate the maximum hanging point, in addition to another two signs on the rear of the vehicle.

If the heavy-duty vehicle extends on either side of the trailer’s rear by 4 feet, there must be red flags on the longest points to warn other drivers. In regards to the size of the markers, they need to be at least 18 inches square, clean, and in good condition.  

Other Safety Requirements for Reputed Cargo

Red flags are not the only procedure required in heavy-duty vehicle transportation, as various requirements ensure the safety of the operation and alert other vehicles on the road.

“Oversized/wide load” banners

Warning signs for heavy-duty vehicle transportation include a big banner with “OVERSIZED LOAD” or “WIDE LOAD” in bold writing on the front and back rear of the carrier. Different states require different banner sizes, but overall, the banner should be 7 feet wide, 18 inches high, with 12 inches font size. As for the banner’s color, the background should be reflective yellow with black letters on top, and it should also be high enough so that other drivers can see it. 

Night Lights for heavy-duty vehicle transportation

Red flags are very noticeable in the daylight, but their visibility is doubtable when the carrier moves overnight. Hence, warning lights are required for shipment at night or in case of reduced visibility, such as foggy weather, rain, or tunnels.

The light could be either amber on the front and sides or red on the rear and rear overhangs. Moreover, the lights should be visible from 500 feet away. The locations of the lights are similar to the red flags. Some states may require flashing, rotating, or strobe lights on the top of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Conclusion

While the safety requirements for heavy-duty vehicle transportation are very alike in different states, it is essential to read and enquire about the specific regulations regarding red flags, banners, lights, and other procedures for overhanging cargo.

When transporting a heavy-duty vehicle, the safety of the surrounding drivers, the shipment, and the carrier becomes the transporter’s responsibility. However, choosing a reliable heavy-duty auto transport company is a must to ensure complete protection for the vehicle.

Tempus Logix has shipped over 30,000 vehicles across the United States, including many heavy-duty vehicles of all types, shapes, sizes, and conditions. The company has a professional team covering all aspects of the business and can easily handle auto-transport shipping.

Why Enclosed Auto Transport for Exotic Cars

Enclosed auto transport, also known as covered car transport, is the best option for shipping supercars that require extra protection and attention with higher insurance coverage to guarantee the shipped cars’ safety.  

Exotic car owners think about their precious vehicles as an investment since they spend so much money, time, and effort to keep them in the best shape possible. Enclosed auto transport is the best means for transporting exotic cars. It’s a premium car transportation service designed especially for expensive and valuable vehicles; it offers the utmost protection with multiple additional services so the owners won’t have to be concerned about the safety of their cars.

Why is It Important to Choose a Trustworthy Auto Transport Company?

Exotic car transportation isn’t something any shipping company can manage. So, it’s essential to find a dependable transport provider with experience and a superior reputation so they will treat the priceless car carefully and deliver it in the same pre-shipping condition for the right price.

Furthermore, Auto transport for exotic cars requires extra care and experience. Rare car owners must ensure the shipping company is qualified enough to run the transport operation and can handle unforeseen problems.

Moreover, the company must offer an insurance policy to cover any damage during shipping. The insurance allows exotic car owners to ease their minds and stop worrying about the vehicle’s safety all the time.

Why Enclosed Auto Transport for Exotic Cars?

This method is preferred by luxury and high-end cars owners for several reasons:

It is the safest way to transport vehicles

Enclosed auto transport protects against external factors, such as weather conditions, dust, rocks, and other road hazards. Add to this; It also minimizes the chances of shipped vehicles’ theft attempts.

Furthermore, the Enclosed carriers have less space inside the trailer, which helps protect cars inside from unnecessary movements during the journey and keep it in place. In addition, loading and unloading operations are safer using this method in comparison with other shipping types because enclosed trailers are often provided with specialized tools, including hydraulic lifts, to ensure giving low ground clearance cars a secure load.

More privacy

Exotic car owners don’t want their precious vehicles to be exposed to everyone on the street to look at, and they may not feel comfortable with curious people touching their cars or taking photos next to them. Thankfully, Enclosed carriers can significantly help ensure a high level of privacy along the road.  

Premium services

Booking an enclosed transport service offers the utmost safe and secure shipping. Moreover, exotic car owners will get the best attention with direct access to customer service.

Another advantage of enclosed auto transport for exotic cars is the various options shipping companies offer to keep up with the car condition and the transport process, including a GPS tracking system and enabling the client to contact the driver directly or customer service agents available to answer all questions related to the transportation process when needed.

Read more about when to choose enclosed auto transport.

Enclosed Carriers Types

There are two main types of enclosed carriers depending on the materials used to make the trailer box:

• Hard-side enclosed carriers: also known as hard-shell carriers, it’s made of durable materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, and tin, which makes them the perfect choice when it comes to enclosed auto transport for exotic cars.

Most hard-shell carriers are supplied with hydraulic lifts and can carry about four cars at a time –still, there are one-car enclosed trailers- it provides a higher level of protection so the vehicle will reach its destination exactly as the same status when it was loaded on the trailer.

• Soft side enclosed carriers: also called soft-shell carriers are cheaper than the former type. The carrier’s top is made of tough materials. The back and front of the trailer box and the sides are resistant canvas, which means it’s not entirely closed like hard-side carriers.

However, it can still be used in auto transport for exotic car operations since the canvas will keep the cars hidden from prying eyes and provide high protection from most external factors, but the car may get dirty during the transport and need to be cleaned.

When choosing a suitable enclosed carrier, it is crucial to make the decision depending on the car’s type, value, ground clearance, and the shipping budget. It’s recommended to go with hard-shell carriers for extremely low ground clearance vehicles and expensive supercars that require the highest level of protection.

Conclusion

Enclosed auto transport for exotic cars is the best solution to ensure the vehicle’s safety and privacy. The most important tip is to choose a reliable company with great experience and decide what type of enclosed carrier best suits the car situation.

Truck Transportation 101: Everything You Need to Know

Truck transportation can be challenging due to its immense size and the experience required to ship these heavy-duty vehicles. Therefore, the first thing you need to think of is to find a trustworthy auto transport company that can handle the challenge. 

Although you will assign the shipping process to a reliable transport provider, it is still essential to understand all the details of this process. This knowledge allows you to evaluate the service you will receive and avoid any risks related to your part of the preparations.

The Client’s Responsibilities

Finding an authentic transport company

Choosing the right company is critical to successful truck transportation; keep in mind that by making the correct decision, you will have peace of mind while your truck is in transit. A suitable company must meet the following criteria:

• They must have a valid MC number (Motor Carrier Number); since the Department of Transport regulates the auto transport industry, all auto transport companies must be licensed by (DoT) to operate legally.

If the company doesn’t have an authorized MC number, there is no doubt it is a deceitful company. Legitimate companies will always provide customers with their MC number when requested; they may also make it available on their website for everyone to see.

•  Check if the company offers an insurance plan. Auto transport companies may provide the insurance service separately. However, don’t go with a company that won’t insure your truck during shipping; make sure the insurance coverage is real and legal.
• Truck transportation requires an experienced team and comprehensive resources. You must perform a background check and look into the company’s experience through its successful delivery track record.

Preparing your truck for transport

Auto transport companies will ask you to prepare the truck before handing it to them; these preparations can help minimize many shipping risks.

• Check for any leaks: existing leaks require extra attention and special precautions to ensure safe truck transportation. Therefore, telling your transport provider about them is essential.
• Document your truck condition: even though auto transport companies offer insurance coverage, the truck owner has to inspect their truck’s interior and exterior condition and write down all details, including existing scratches and minor damages.
• Remove all personal belongings: the items may damage the truck’s interior. Another reason to take all personal items out is the weight they add to your load, increasing the cost of transportation.

The Auto Transport Company’s Responsibilities

Pick the suitable equipment for your truck transportation

Trucks come in different sizes and shapes, and choosing the best trailer type is indispensable to successful transportation. Trailers’ options include:

• Flatbed trailers: this type of trailer is widely used; it is found anywhere on the roads; flatbed trailers are opened to the air with no protection for shipped vehicles. It has two main advantages; the easy loading process thanks to its stable bed and various capacities, making it an excellent tool for transporting numerous types of trucks. Read about the pros and cons of flatbed trucking.
• Removable Gooseneck trailers: this type is often used in large truck transportation that can’t be loaded on flatbed trailers, but because of its huge size, drivers can’t drive it on narrow roads. Therefore, auto transport companies will need to plan the travel routes using main streets only, which means the distance will be longer, resulting in extra costs.
• Drop deck trailers: also called step deck trailers, allow an easy loading for trucks because their bed can drop down to the ground. After loading, the bed backside will be locked upwards to add more protection to the shipped trucks. 

Read more about the types of trailers and trucks used for shipping cars.

Examine the truck capacity

To guarantee safe truck transportation, auto transport companies will ensure the shipping equipment is fully prepared to load a truck on the trailer.

• Examine the brakes: it is known that heavy shipping equipment can burden the braking abilities. Auto transport companies always check the brakes and ensure it’s in the best operational condition. 
• Evaluate both the truck and trailer tires: trucks are considered heavy loads, and if the tires aren’t in the best condition, it may cause a negative impact or even some damage.
• Verifying the ramp readiness: ramps play a significant role in the loading process. A suitable ramp will ensure a secure load for the truck; that is why inspecting the ramp strength is important to determine its ability to support the loading perfectly. 

Conclusion

While choosing a trustworthy transport company is essential, accurate preparations can be equally important to guarantee successful truck transportation.  Although hiring a professional auto transport company means you don’t have to worry about most of the above, reviewing everything yourself is still recommended to ensure your truck will be shipped safely.

Tempus Logix transports all types of heavy-duty vehicles of different sizes. The company can offer many trailer types according to the transportation requirements to guarantee a suitable process in a timely manner. No matter where your heavy-duty vehicle is and where you want it dropped off, professional agents will organize the process by following local and national regulations and keeping you informed about every step.