Open vs. Enclosed Vehcile Shipping
One of the primary options you face when choosing to ship your vehicle is which method the car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle will be trailered. You basically have two options, open or enclosed.
Open shipping is what you most typically see rolling down the highway or unloading new vehicles at dealers across the country. These can be single car trailers, three car 'hot-shots' 0r the multi-tiered trailers that can hold many vehicles. The vehicles are completely exposed to the elements just like they would be if they were out driving down the road.
Enclosed shipping is just like it sounds, with vehicles traveling in fully enclosed trailers protected from the elements and most critically each other. More on that last point in a second. First, the pros and cons of each type.
Open trailers are cheaper, lighter, and can typically carry more vehicles. Therefore they are cheaper to operate and also provide the least expensive method to ship your vehicle. This method is also the industry standard and will provide many more options and likely a faster pick-up and delivery window.
The downsides of open shipping are mainly exposure, and security. Exposure comes from the elements, road debris, basically anything your vehicle would experience driving down the road under its own power. One element that is often overlooked however is that car leaking oil, coolant and (most scarily) brake fluid onto your shiny ride. If your ride has to spend ten or more days strapped below a brake fluid oozing jalopy, the chances of your paint arriving unscathed is going to be suspect. This is a rare occurrence, but something to consider if you are hoping to keep your car in pristine condition.
Security is also a potential issue with open transport. Having things like high-end stereos, navigation systems and other expensive electronics stolen on an open trailer is exponentially higher than it would be in a locked and sealed trailer. Truckers don't often stray far from their mounts, but when they do, your car isn't any more protected than it would be sitting on side of the street.
Enclosed transport solves the two main problems with open transport, with protection from the elements and superior security. And the brake fluid issue is largely a non-issue on enclosed trailers as most of them that are double decker have solid floors dividing the top level from the bottom that catches any fluids escaping from those vehicles sleeping in the top bunk. Thieves will have to break into the trailer before they can break into your car, but would first have to decide if the effort is even worth it not knowing what is inside.
The major downside with enclosed transport is really the price. Ranging anywhere from 25-100% more expensive than open transport, it can be cost prohibitive. There is also the limited availability factor with significantly fewer operations offering this option. So, getting your vehicle shipped during your ideal time frame may be a challenge.
One other upside to enclosed shipping is that the vehicles typically receive greater care while being loaded, transported, and off-loaded. This is simply a 'you get what you pay for' factor and also the fact that most of the rides traveling around in this method are of higher value.
ShipVehicles is of the belief that commercial motorcycle shipping should always be enclosed. The exposure to the elements and security issues are too great to have a motorcycle cover any distance on an open trailer. Currently, we are not familiar with any major commercial motorcycle shipping company that transports bikes on a open trailer. No companies providing motorcycle shipping quotes on ShipVehicles use open trailers.
Open shipping is a great option for the vast majority of consumers. You can even request to be on the top rack and/or immediately behind the truck (which protects from debris and elements a little better) with most companies. This is more critical in colder climates in the winter.
Enclosed shipping is for those with higher value vehicles looking for 'white glove' services and those who are protective of their vehicular investments. Sure, it costs more, but it gives you the most peace of mind as well.
Open shipping is what you most typically see rolling down the highway or unloading new vehicles at dealers across the country. These can be single car trailers, three car 'hot-shots' 0r the multi-tiered trailers that can hold many vehicles. The vehicles are completely exposed to the elements just like they would be if they were out driving down the road.
Enclosed shipping is just like it sounds, with vehicles traveling in fully enclosed trailers protected from the elements and most critically each other. More on that last point in a second. First, the pros and cons of each type.
Open trailers are cheaper, lighter, and can typically carry more vehicles. Therefore they are cheaper to operate and also provide the least expensive method to ship your vehicle. This method is also the industry standard and will provide many more options and likely a faster pick-up and delivery window.
The downsides of open shipping are mainly exposure, and security. Exposure comes from the elements, road debris, basically anything your vehicle would experience driving down the road under its own power. One element that is often overlooked however is that car leaking oil, coolant and (most scarily) brake fluid onto your shiny ride. If your ride has to spend ten or more days strapped below a brake fluid oozing jalopy, the chances of your paint arriving unscathed is going to be suspect. This is a rare occurrence, but something to consider if you are hoping to keep your car in pristine condition.
Security is also a potential issue with open transport. Having things like high-end stereos, navigation systems and other expensive electronics stolen on an open trailer is exponentially higher than it would be in a locked and sealed trailer. Truckers don't often stray far from their mounts, but when they do, your car isn't any more protected than it would be sitting on side of the street.
Enclosed transport solves the two main problems with open transport, with protection from the elements and superior security. And the brake fluid issue is largely a non-issue on enclosed trailers as most of them that are double decker have solid floors dividing the top level from the bottom that catches any fluids escaping from those vehicles sleeping in the top bunk. Thieves will have to break into the trailer before they can break into your car, but would first have to decide if the effort is even worth it not knowing what is inside.
The major downside with enclosed transport is really the price. Ranging anywhere from 25-100% more expensive than open transport, it can be cost prohibitive. There is also the limited availability factor with significantly fewer operations offering this option. So, getting your vehicle shipped during your ideal time frame may be a challenge.
One other upside to enclosed shipping is that the vehicles typically receive greater care while being loaded, transported, and off-loaded. This is simply a 'you get what you pay for' factor and also the fact that most of the rides traveling around in this method are of higher value.
ShipVehicles is of the belief that commercial motorcycle shipping should always be enclosed. The exposure to the elements and security issues are too great to have a motorcycle cover any distance on an open trailer. Currently, we are not familiar with any major commercial motorcycle shipping company that transports bikes on a open trailer. No companies providing motorcycle shipping quotes on ShipVehicles use open trailers.
Open shipping is a great option for the vast majority of consumers. You can even request to be on the top rack and/or immediately behind the truck (which protects from debris and elements a little better) with most companies. This is more critical in colder climates in the winter.
Enclosed shipping is for those with higher value vehicles looking for 'white glove' services and those who are protective of their vehicular investments. Sure, it costs more, but it gives you the most peace of mind as well.
posted by ShipVehicles at
11:56 AM
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