Open Vs Enclosed Auto Transport
What's the Difference Between Open Auto Transport and Enclosed Auto Transport
Let’s dig in and explore the difference of open vs enclosed auto transport. You will find the main difference between open and enclosed auto transport, is cost and how the vehicle is shipped. Below you can find more detail on the difference between open auto transport and enclosed auto transport.
eShip Auto Transport Services is the obvious choice of transport company when you need to ship your car from one location to another. From our outstanding customer service to our unbeatable prices and reliability, you need to feel secure in the knowledge that you are entrusting your car to the right people. Our expertise is second to none. With eShip Transport, the main choice there is to make is whether to choose open auto transport or enclosed auto transport?
The answer you should make primarily depends on the value of the car you are transporting. When comparing and putting open vs enclosed auto transport in comparison, it does provide higher levels of vehicle protection, however, there is a price increase to use it.
A mid-range family sedan is unlikely to require as much protection from the road and the elements as a 1939 Alfa Romeo. Whether you choose open auto transport, enclosed soft side auto transport, and hard side enclosed auto transport, eShip Transport has an option with the correct amount of protection for any car you are shipping.
What Is Open Auto Transport?
eShip Auto Transport’s open auto transport is our most economical choice for shipping your car. This option utilizes uncovered multi-car trailers. This option is the one that most people have seen on the highway at some time. Most multi-car trailers carry anywhere from eight to ten cars per transport. This means that the cost per car is lower and eShip Transport can then pass those savings on to our clients.
Open Auto Transport is Very Safe
When a car is transported via open auto transport, it will not be protected by a physical barrier while it is on the road. This means that your car will be exposed to the normal dirt and dust that any car would encounter on a road trip. It will also be unprotected from any debris that might kick up from the road as well as rain, hail, snow, and strong winds.
However, the chance of any serious damages to your car is remote and aside from a little dust and grime, we guarantee that your car will be delivered damage-free and on time. In fact, the chances of damage to cars on an open auto transport are so small that car dealerships and auto manufacturers also use this method of auto transport to move their inventory around the country. Start making notes to look at open vs enclosed vehicle transport in more depth.
What Is Enclosed Auto Transport?
eShip Auto Transport’s enclosed auto transport option is our more expensive transport option. You will probably not realize it when you see a closed auto transport carrier on the road because the cars are not exposed and visible. Enclosed auto transport carriers can carry fewer cars at a time than open auto transport carriers, with the typical number of cars per load being between four and six.
Because enclosed auto transport carriers are a more specialized and expensive vehicle for a driver to own, there are fewer of them in service. This makes them harder to book, which in turn contributes to the higher cost to the client. Enclosed auto transport provides a physical barrier between your car and the elements during transport, thus providing a higher level of protection.
Enclosed auto transport is available in two options; soft-side enclosed auto transport and hard-side enclosed auto transport with a hydraulic lift. Are you keeping track so you know the difference between open vs enclosed auto transport?
Soft Side Enclosed Auto Transport
When you choose eShip Auto Transport’s soft side enclosed option, your car will be shielded from the elements by a sturdy tarp as it travels on the highway. The tarp will form a barrier of protection from anything that might be thrown up from the road and potentially scratched or dented your car. Your car will also be safe from the damaging effects of hail, snow, high winds, and other harsh weather conditions.
Because the tarp does not form a fully airtight seal with the frame of the auto transport trailer, some road dirt and dust could still seep in and get onto your car.
Hard Side Enclosed Auto Transport with Hydraulic Ramp
eShip Transport’s hard-side enclosed auto transport option provides the highest level of protection possible to your car during transit. These carriers have four hard walls and a hard roof. Nothing is going to touch your car when it is inside a hard side carrier; from dirt and grime to harsh weather, to road debris, your car will be totally protected. The condition in which your car is loaded is the same condition in which it will arrive at its destination.
Our hard side auto transport carriers also feature a hydraulic ramp that offers an extra level of protection to your car from possible damage in the loading and unloading process. Again, going back to the main topic of open vs enclosed auto transport, you can easily see the physical difference.
When Is Enclosed Auto Transport The Right Choice?
Ultimately, the final choice between open auto transport and enclosed auto transport is made by the car owner. There are, however, some obvious situations where enclosed auto transport would be a wiser choice and the additional transport cost is justified.
Very Expensive Cars or Investment Cars
For cars of very high value, enclosed auto transport is a prudent choice. If a car has been purchased as an investment or if it has an expensive or unusual paint job, it would be unwise to ship it via open auto transport. Even the smallest ding or scratch on such a car can cause its value to decrease significantly.
Cars With Low Ground Clearance
Cars that have low ground clearance, i.e. four inches or less, require the use of a hydraulic lift for loading and unloading. If a car with low ground clearance is driven up a ramp of standard grade, the undercarriage will scrape on the ground, resulting in scratches and maybe even serious damage. For this reason, all of eShip Transport’s hard side enclosed auto transport carriers feature a hydraulic lift.
Antique, Classic and Collectors Cars
By their nature, antique, classic, and collector’s cars tend to be older. As these cars also fall into the category of expensive cars, the wise choice is to ship them via enclosed auto transport.
Older cars are more delicate and there is always a risk of parts either falling off, being blown off, or being jolted off on the open road. When parts are lost from antique cars, they can be very difficult and expensive to replace. Also, classic and antique cars often show cars and it is important for them to arrive at their destination in pristine condition with no extra wear or damage to paint jobs or upholstery. When comparing open vs enclosed car shipping, value and personal attachment will guide you to the needed extras!
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eShip Transport Is Always The Best Choice For Either Open Or Enclosed Auto Transport
Whether you choose open or enclosed auto transport, we promise that we will handle your car with white-glove service. At eShip Transport, every auto transport, whether open or enclosed, comes with our Platinum Protection Plan which includes:
- Our guarantee that every driver and carrier is fully bonded and insured
- $300 towards car rental should your delivery be delayed by over 48 hours
- Vehicle tracking
- Your own designated agent through the entire process
- Free storage at our eShip Transport locations
- Price lock guarantee
- Door to door service.
What are the benefits of transporting my car to another state?
The main benefit of using an auto transport service is that it saves time when compared to personally driving your vehicle to another state; you don’t have to worry about spending time and money on gas or lodging accommodations along the way, and you can rest assured that your vehicle won’t face any risk from theft or vandal activities while in transit due to professional handling procedures adopted by licensed vehicle carriers.
What are the risks of transporting my car to another state?
The main risk associated with transporting your vehicle is potential damage while the car is in transit due to mishandling or failure to secure the car during transit adequately enough (in the case of open auto transport). Damage caused by severe weather conditions may also occur in some cases if an enclosed trailer is not chosen for vehicle transportation purposes.
How much does it cost to transport a car to another state?
Prices for transporting a car vary depending on factors such as distance, type of transport service (open vs enclosed auto transport), pick-up/delivery locations, date of transportation, etc. On average, you should expect to pay anywhere between $500-$2,500 for open auto transport services and up to $6,000 for enclosed trailer shipping services.
What is the difference between open and enclosed auto transport?
eShip Transport does both open-vehicle transport and enclosed-vehicle transport. Open vehicle transport is also called open-air transport and generally means cars transported on an open-car trailer. Enclosed vehicle transport, does transport on soft-side or hard-side covered trailers. The majority of these types of auto transport trailers can carry 8-10 cars on the carriers.
Open Auto Transport Services | Professional Car Shipping & Transport on Open Trailer Carriers
Ready to ship your car? eShip Open Auto Transport offers open auto transport services in the US and Canada. We have a vast network of open car shipping carriers, making it easy to safely transport vehicles.
When it comes to shipping a car, and finding reliable and affordable services, opting for open auto transport is a popular choice among vehicle owners. With open car shipping, a car is transported on an open trailer, which is not only cost-effective but also ensures speedy delivery. eShip provides professional open transport services to our clients.
We understand the importance of your car, and our team of skilled vehicle shipping carriers is committed to delivering it to your desired location without a scratch. Trust us to handle your open car shipping needs, and you won’t be disappointed.
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