Transporting your vehicle in an enclosed trailer is the most premium service you can receive.
Think about how luxury cars, classic cars, and exotic cars travel the country safely every day; this is how it's done.
Here's the thing: The difference between open and enclosed transport can be thousands of dollars of damage. Which matters when your vehicle is high-value.
In this ultimate guide, we'll explain how enclosed auto transport works in detail.
Jump to:
Here's what we'll cover:
- What Is Enclosed Auto Transport
- Why Enclosed Transport?
- The Complete Shipping Process Explained
- How Enclosed Transport Is Different
What Is Enclosed Auto Transport?
Enclosed auto transport is a vehicle shipping method in which a transport company transports your car inside a fully covered trailer.
Picture your car inside a bubble, completely sealed from the outside world.
This completely protects your car from the elements and anything else in the surrounding environment that could damage the exterior.
When you work with a premium auto transport service, you're getting enclosed auto transport services that offer the maximum amount of protection to your high-value vehicles.
Open carriers pile vehicles onto trailers that leave your car exposed, whereas enclosed transport carriers use purpose-built trailers that have every vehicle transported in a completely covered container.
The two main types of enclosed trailers are:
- Soft-sided trailers that are made with heavy-duty canvas or vinyl sides
- Hard-sided trailers that are made with solid aluminum or steel walls
The majority of high-end transport carriers use hard-sided trailers, as they provide the best protection.
Why Do Vehicle Owners Choose Enclosed Transport?
Let's be real here…
Enclosed transport isn't cheap. Enclosed auto transport costs 40-60% more than shipping via open transport.
So if it costs so much more, why do people even bother paying the premium?
Here's why…
Maximum Protection From The Elements
Weather damage is very real.
Rain, snow, hail, and UV damage from the sun can all damage your car's exterior during a long-distance cross-country move.
Enclosed trailers remove all of those risks entirely.
The vehicle is completely enclosed regardless of what it's going through. Whether your transport is traveling through a desert heatwave or a northern snowstorm, your vehicle will be protected.
If you're shipping a classic car or a vehicle with a custom paint job, this level of protection is worth its weight in gold.
Superior Security
Enclosed trailers only have one or two access points with locking doors.
This adds an additional layer of security to the transport process. The driver is the only person that can access your car during transit. There is no risk of theft or vandalism.
Oh, and get this:
Statistics have found that vehicles transported in enclosed trailers have a less than 1% chance of incurring damage during shipping than open car transport.
Better For High-Value Vehicles
Luxury cars, exotic cars, and classic cars need special handling and protection.
One scratch or paint chip on one of these vehicles is going to cost you thousands to fix.
The peace of mind that enclosed auto transport gives you is well worth the extra expense.
The Step-By-Step Enclosed Auto Transport Process
You might be wondering, how does the actual shipping process work?
Here's the entire process step-by-step…
Step 1: Get Your Quote
The first thing you want to do is reach out to some auto transport companies and get a shipping quote.
Most companies will be able to give you a free, instant online quote based on the type of vehicle you have, as well as the pickup and delivery locations, transport timeline, and any special requirements.
It's a good idea to get at least 3-4 different quotes and compare not just price, but company reviews, insurance coverage, and reputation.
Step 2: Book Your Transport
Once you've decided on an auto transport company to work with, you'll then want to book your shipment.
This is the process of confirming the pickup and delivery date and time, vehicle details, insurance coverage, and signing the auto transport agreement.
Pro tip: If you can, you always want to book your auto transport at least 2-4 weeks in advance. The farther out you book, the more likely it is to get the pickup and delivery dates that you want, especially if it's during peak moving times.
Step 3: Prepare Your Vehicle
On the day of pickup, there's some vehicle preparation work that you'll need to do.
Make sure to remove any personal items from the interior of your vehicle, clean your car and take detailed condition photos of the entire vehicle from all angles.
The gas tank should only be about ¼ full.
Step 4: Vehicle Inspection
When the driver arrives for pickup, you'll need to do a detailed inspection with the driver.
Both parties will document any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading. You also want to take your own set of damage photos of your vehicle at this time.
Step 5: Loading Process
Enclosed trailers require special loading equipment for your vehicle.
Most enclosed carriers have a hydraulic lift gate that will raise a low-clearance vehicle up to the trailer height. The driver will then secure your vehicle in place using soft straps to prevent damage during transport.
Step 6: Transit
Your car is on its way.
The majority of enclosed carriers have 1-4 vehicles per trailer, while open carriers have between 7-10 vehicles on each trailer.
Enclosed carriers often offer live GPS tracking so that you can track your vehicle in real-time while it's in transit.
Step 7: Delivery
When your car arrives at the delivery location, there will be a final detailed inspection.
The driver will walk you through any discrepancies between your vehicle's condition on delivery and the condition it was in at pickup.
You should have photos from every angle to compare against when your car is dropped off. If there is new damage, you'll want to document this and report it to the driver before signing off on the delivery.
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What Makes Enclosed Transport Different?
Look at the stats:
Statistics have found that average claims related to water, hail, debris strikes, surface abrasion, and vandalism are 65% lower on enclosed transport than on open car transport.
Here are some of the key things that make enclosed auto transport so different:
Enclosed carriers transport fewer vehicles at a time, which gives their drivers more attention to give to each car.
They also use specialised equipment like hydraulic lift gates and soft tie-downs.
The trailer itself is a whole other story. Hard-sided enclosed trailers are made with solid walls, roofs, and floors that encase the vehicle from every side.
Climate-controlled options are also available for sensitive interiors. The drivers are also trained professionals who know how to handle high-value vehicles.
Is Enclosed Transport Worth The Cost?
Only you can answer that.
But here's something to think about:
If you have a vehicle that's worth $50,000 or more, you should spend an additional $500-1,000 on enclosed auto transport to have complete peace of mind.
One hailstorm, one rock chip, or one careless moment can cost you tens of thousands in repair and resale value.
Bringing It All Together
Enclosed auto transport services are the most premium and protective method for vehicle transport.
The enclosed auto transport process involves detailed planning, professional execution, and specialized equipment all designed to ensure your vehicle is kept in pristine condition from pickup to delivery.
The biggest takeaways from this ultimate guide to enclosed auto transport include:
- Enclosed transport is more expensive, but offers better protection
- Inspections at both pickup and delivery are detailed and thorough
- The loading equipment and trailer design are specialised to avoid damage
- Statistics have shown that enclosed auto transport has much lower damage rates than open transport
For high-value vehicles, the added cost of enclosed auto transport is a worthwhile investment in maximum protection.
When choosing a company, work with a reputable one with good reviews, adequate insurance coverage, and experience shipping the same type of vehicle that you have.
Your car is worth it. Give it the care it deserves during transport and work with enclosed auto transport services.
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