Car Shipping Equipment

Truck Types

When having your car shipped you can expect to have one of the two types of trucks do the work. For regional transportation, typically under 500 miles, pick-up style truck are common. They are usually a heavy-duty 1 ton consumer level pick-ups like Dodge, Ford or Chevrolet.  For longer distances it is no longer cost-effective to use these type of truck and a commercial over-the-road truck will be used. The primary difference between the two is capacity, number of vehicles that can be transported at the same time.

Multi-Car Trailers

These trailers range in design and capacity to fit a specific purpose. The most basic of which are a single-level “wedge” type trailers, 53′ in length with room up to four small cars. This basic trailer design simplifies the loading and unloading of vehicles. Two-level 7 to 10 car haulers are used most often used for interstate transport, they vary in design and complexity but generally all use hydraulics to raise and lower the upper deck. It is important to understand the limitations of these trailers when it comes to shipping large SUVs or pick-up trucks, as most can only fit a maximum of 4.

Open and Enclosed Trailers

Open car trailers are far more ubiquitous form of transporting cars due to their cost advantage, ease of loading and increased capacity. Enclosed trailers provide certain advantages like additional security and personalized care at a significantly higher cost. See our Open vs. Enclosed page for additional information. Because some enclosed trailers offer an option for a lift-gate, shipping cars that are low to the ground is much easier with less likelihood of damage.  Enclosed trailers also carry much higher cargo coverage to protect the cars that are transported.

Single Car Trailers & Flatbeds

Many local transports are done by single-car trailers which provides added flexibility. Occasionally a local single car transport truck will make the pick ups for a multi-car hauler. Single car trailers are the preferred method to transport damaged or inoperable cars.