Is Open or Enclosed Auto Transport fit for you?

Choosing how to transport your vehicle is nearly as important as choosing who to transport with. There are two main types of transport: open shipping and enclosed shipping. Each type is used for different purposes, and it is important to know what you you’re looking for when transporting your vehicle.

Open shipping is our standard auto transport shipping type. This type of transport is most like what you’re used to seeing on the road. Most vehicles can be safely and easily transported with open carrier shipping. The pros of open trailer transport are its cheap costs and larger availability. Despite the open carrier’s exposure to the elements, your vehicle it will generally arrive in the exact condition that it was picked up in.

Enclosed trailer transport is the less common type of auto transport. This type of transport is best suited for high end vehicles, vehicles with low ground clearance, or vehicles which have interiors exposed. Keep in mind that pricing is always more expensive for shipping enclose than for shipping open.

If you have a standard sized vehicle, you’ll more than likely want to go open. Open transport is our standard service for auto transport.

Enclosed shipping should be reserved for very particular uses. High end vehicles, for example, should usually be shipped via enclosed transport. Shipping enclosed usually provides more insurance per vehicle, which makes enclosed a more sensible option for high end vehicles. If you have a low-ground clearance vehicle (4” clearance from the ground or less,) enclosed transport is again an intelligent option. Low clearance vehicles benefit because they will be loaded with a scissor lift (hydraulic lift) rather than being driven up a ramp, so the bottom of the vehicle will not be scraped on the ramp. Enclosed transport is also a viable alternative to open for vehicles with exposed interiors for obvious reasons.

It is important that one understands when to select open shipping or enclosed shipping when transporting your vehicle. Open shipping can save you a bit of money, but may be inappropriate for some types of vehicles. Enclosed may seem like a good idea at first, but the extra costs may not make it worth using. The best way to select the type of carrier that you use is to speak to an expert on the subject, so call American Auto Transport at (954) 745-8950 to learn about what kind of vessel you should use for your car shipping needs.