Shipping a car is one of the most economical ways to get it from point A to point B. Besides being able to save gas and mileage with the vehicle, it eliminates the possibility that the car may end up in a collision on the way to its destination. Whether you’re shipping a restored, classic, or modern car, the best way to move the vehicle is usually by open or closed trailer. There are, however, options such as planes and trains. We are one of the largest collision repair and auto body suppliers in the northeast and several of our clients and buyers ship their project cars often. Check out these tips on shipping cars safely.

Research your transport company first.

This should be first priority when starting your transport plan. Hiring a quality transport company ensures your car will safely make it to the destination. Start by reading reviews online. If there are a lot of negative reviews, steer clear of the company. If you do find a company with good reviews, it is wise to meet the crew in person first and have a first hand look at what they transport the cars with. If the trailers are rusted, damaged, or broken in any way visit another transporting company. It also wise to see what their insurance covers and whether your car needs special insurance for the transport.

Maintain the car before you transport it.

If the car you are transporting is to be sold, you’ll want to make sure you do everything you can to ensure it is in working order before it gets to its destination. Get a tune up done, top off the fluids, and have the battery tested. It is also a good idea to completely clean the inside of the car. Loose items can bounce around during transport and potentially cause interior damage.

A few other things to remember when safely transporting a car.

It is a good idea to drain the car of gas when preparing for the transport. Ideally there should only be 1/4 to an 1/8 of a tank of gas left in the car. This decreases the weight of the vehicle and also lessens the chance of the gas leaking. Leaking gas can be extremely dangerous. It is extremely flammable and can be dangerous if inhaled. It is also a good idea to disable your alarms. They will probably go off each time the transport trailer hits a bump. If you have a toll tag, you’ll want turn that off as well. The sensor will still likely work when the car is being transported. You don’t want to end up with a bunch of toll fees when you aren’t driving the car. Whether you’re transporting the car in a in an open or closed trailer, it is also a good idea to put a quality cover on it.