In America, only about a quarter of those who move go over 50 miles away. In fact, just 1 out of 7 Americans move over 1,000 miles away!
If you’re one of the minority, then figuring out what to do for your big trip can be quite a headache. Bringing your car with you? Then that’s another thing to worry about.
For those who don’t know the difference between open and enclosed transport, you’re in the right place. Nexus Auto Transport will explain the difference and help you figure out which one’s right for you!
What Is Open Transport?
As the name suggests, open transport is where your vehicle is moved in a hauler that is open. You’ve probably seen open haulers before, as this is what dealerships use to move their cars.
With open transport, a car is loaded on a trailer with two racks that can hold about four to ten cars. The truck doesn’t have roof or walls. Carriers use special equipment to secure vehicles in ramps in open transport.
Many carriers offer open transport. Hence, it’s important to be keen in choosing the right company to ensure your vehicle’s safe transport. When finding an open-air car shipping company, choose a reliable and licensed carrier. Good companies offer free quotes, so you can take this chance to make comparison by checking at least three carriers. This way, you can make the right choice.
As you might’ve guessed, there are both pros and cons to using open transport. Read on to find out what they are.
Pros of Open Transport
The best thing about open transport is that this service is not hard to find or book. The majority of drivers use open haulers, which means there’s more flexibility in pickup and dropoff times. The number of drivers also means prices are more affordable since there’s more competition.
Open haulers can also typically fit a large number of vehicles, which is beneficial to customers. Drivers can haul more cars in one trip, which means cost-savings for everyone.
Most customers want to use open car transport because it’s faster and more economical than enclosed transport. If you want to move your vehicle from one place to another without so much hassle, then your best choice is an open-air transport.
Cons of Open Transport
While open haulers can fit a great number of cars, this is a double-edged sword. The more vehicles a hauler has, the longer it’ll take for the driver to deliver every single one. So if you’re on a time crunch, open transport might not be ideal.
In addition, the open nature of this type of transport means your car will be exposed to the elements. If your car is new, classic, or holds tremendous sentimental value, then there’s the worry of it getting damaged by things such as hail or flying debris.
Of course, your vehicle will be covered under fantastic insurance policies if you hire a trustworthy company. However, monetary compensation might not mean that much when it comes to a car you highly treasure.
What Is Enclosed Transport?
As you may have guessed again, enclosed transport is where your car is completely covered and protected while in transit. Of course, if you need to transport your luxury car or cars for sale through long-distances, enclosed transport is highly recommended. Enclosed carriers can carry a few cars at the same time.
While you might think this is a much better choice than open transport, there are actually both pros and cons that come with this method. Find out what they are below.
Pros of Enclosed Transport
When using enclosed transport, your vehicle will basically be inside a moving box. This means that if the truck goes through wind, rain, hail, or any other type of weather, your car will be shielded.
Shipping vehicles across the country in enclosed carriers means that your vehicle will be hidden away from sight. Should the driver take a break or stop for the night, this should deter thieves since they can’t see a potentially high-value car sitting in plain sight. This can give you extra peace of mind.
Cons of Enclosed Transport
There are definitely cons that come with enclosed transport.
For one, there are not as many drivers for enclosed haulers. This means it can be hard to get ahold of one. And even if you do, their open slots might not suit you or aren’t your first choices.
Not only are there fewer drivers, but enclosed haulers can only fit a handful of vehicles when compared to open haulers.
The above 2 factors mean that enclosed transport is more expensive than open transport. This might make it an unviable option for those on a budget.
How to Arrange for Open and Enclosed Transport
No matter if you choose open or enclosed auto transport, in the end, you need to find a professional to assist you with that. Thankfully, it’s very easy to arrange for this service, especially if you use someone like Nexus Auto Transport.
You can always call up the company to give them all the details of your move and what you need. The agent can then give you quotes and their availability, then arrange for pickup and dropoff from there.
You can also use the company’s online calculator. Fill out details like your start and end destinations, type of vehicle, how urgent you need their services, and whether you’d like an open or enclosed hauler.
All this information will generate an accurate quote or 2. Click on the one you like and then you can pick your pickup and dropoff slots. You’ll then fill out your personal information so the company can email you the final statement and so you can pay.
Once this is done, you just have to wait for pickup and dropoff (if you’ve arranged for door-to-door service). Otherwise, you might have to make a short drive to give and receive your vehicle, but that should be the only things you need to worry about.
Questions To Ask Yourself
Check the following questions you can ask yourself to know if you need standard open car transport or enclosed car transport:
- Do you consider your vehicle as a high-value investment?
- Are you concerned about the dirt, dust, or pollution your vehicle might be exposed to during transport?
- Are you concerned about cold weather?
- Do you prefer additional protection against theft?
- Is your car vintage, or with unique or custom pain job?
If most of your answers is ‘yes,’ you need to choose an enclosed auto transport. For most ‘no’ answers, pick an open car transport.
Let NexusAutoTransport.com Help
Now that you know the difference between open and enclosed transport, you probably have a better idea of which one is right for your auto shipping needs.
The next step is getting in touch with a reputable company, such as NexusAutoTransport.com. They’ll be able to get you an accurate quote. And if you’re happy with the prices, they can then help you arrange suitable pickup and dropoff times.
While an upcoming move can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be. When you work with professionals who care about their customers, the move can feel a lot easier!
For more articles like this one on open vs enclosed car shipping, take a look at the rest of our blog page now.
