When shipping your vehicle, there are tons of decisions you and your shipping company will need to go over. The day you want to ship, where it’s going, where it’s coming from, and most importantly, what kind of trailer you want to use. The two main options are open transport and enclosed transport. These options describe the type of trailer you want to use to ship your car on. Enclosed transport trailers have a wide variety of trailers that fit that description. However, they can all basically be described as a trailer that has either a canvas or hard shell covering around the trailer to add a layer of protection.

There are pros and cons to using an enclosed trailer. It’s important to know what they are and even more important to know what kind of trailer your vehicle may require. If you drive a car with special needs or aftermarket parts, you may have no other choice than to use an enclosed trailer.

Advantages

Many people who have classic or luxury vehicles always choose to ship their cars with an enclosed transport trailer. This is because the protective casing of the trailer provides extra security for your vehicle. Even if the shipping company has the best insurance in the industry, it may still be difficult to find replacement parts for your classic car. When you ship with an enclosed transport vehicle, you add an extra layer of protection for your vehicle.

Enclosed transport trailers also offer greater variety. There are tons of different types of enclosed transport trailers. Some are the same trailers as enclosed transport trailers with a canvas covering to keep out dirt and debris, while others are hard shell trailers that only carry a couple of vehicles at a time. These trailers often have special features like hydraulic lifts. If your vehicle has especially low ground clearance that doesn’t allow them to drive up the loading ramp to a traditional trailer, you may have no other option than to use the enclosed transport trailer.

Disadvantages

When setting up any auto shipment, you’re going to need to coordinate with the drivers on the road to find an available trailer near you. Most transport trailers are open transport trailers, which means finding an enclosed transport trailer may not be so easy. With so few options available, using an enclosed transport trailer requires extra preparation if you have any tight deadlines you need to meet.

Another issue is that it will surely cost more than an open transport trailer, and in some cases, a lot more. This is due to the trailer’s rarity as well as its type. One of the secrets in the auto transport industry is that shipping companies help lower prices by dividing costs between all the vehicles on the trailer. Costs like gas, toll roads, and even specialty travel permits get split between all the cars on the trailer. If your car needs a specialty trailer that only fits one or two other vehicles, that cost is going to come out of your pocket. This can seriously increase the price of shipping your car. If you need to ship a long distance, like across the country, you’re definitely going to feel the cost.

Choosing Enclosed Transport Trailers for Your Vehicle

When it all comes down to it, it’s probably a matter of preference. Unless you have a car with specialty aftermarket parts and low ground clearance, you have the choice between open and enclosed transport. If you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks for the added peace of mind, then enclosed transport could be for you. This is especially true if you have a vehicle that is especially meaningful to you or has parts that are hard to find. If you have a classic car, see if they still make the paint you use, just in case.

If you still need to find a shipping company and aren’t sure what’s best for your vehicle, give AMPM Auto Transport a call today. They have a knowledgeable team who can walk you through the process no matter what car you have. They also offer instant quotes with industry-leading insurance included. This way, you can see the difference between open and enclosed transport and start working from there.