When it comes to transporting our vehicles, we have a few different options. We can tow them behind our RV, put them on a trailer, or use an enclosed car carrier. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, but for most people, open car carriers are the best choice. Here are four reasons why you might want to avoid using an enclosed car carrier.
Enclosed Car Shipping
Enclosed car shipping is the process of transporting a vehicle in an enclosed trailer. There are primarily two options available in enclosed car shipping: LCL and FCL.
Shared or LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping:
In shared or LCL containers, your car shares the container space with other customers’ vehicles. This is the most economical way to ship a car via enclosed shipping. Since you are not the only one paying to use the container, the cost of shipping is divided among all the customers using that particular container. However, there are some cons to using this enclosed shipping method. The major downside of using this option is that sometimes the shipment might get delayed because the auto transport companies have to wait until they have enough vehicles to fill the container. This type of shipping is also not recommended if you are in a hurry to get your car shipped.
Private or FCL (Full Container Load ) shipping:
As the name suggests, in FCL shipping, you will have to pay for the entire container, even if you are not using the full space. This is a more expensive way to ship your car but it has certain advantages over LCL shipping. The main advantage of FCL is that your car will not be sharing the space with other vehicles, so you can be sure that it will not get damaged while in transit. Also, since you are the only one using the container, the car will be loaded and unloaded first, so there is no chance of your car being delayed. Moreover, you can also ship some cargo along with your vehicle in the same container.
Disadvantages of Enclosed Car Carriers
Enclosed shipping offers many benefits over open-air transport, including protection from the elements and increased security. However, it also has a few disadvantages, which you should be aware of before choosing this option for your vehicle. The following are the disadvantages of using an enclosed car carrier for shipping your vehicle:
High costs of enclosed car carriers
As compared to open carriers, enclosed car carriers are significantly more expensive.
This is because they provide a higher level of protection for your vehicle, which is why many people choose them for shipping their vehicles.
However, if you are on a budget, you may want to consider using an open carrier instead.
Cars with low market value or that are older may not benefit as much from using an enclosed carrier. Enclosed carriers also tend to be more expensive to operate, so their rates will be higher.
If you have a luxury or high-end vehicle, you may feel more comfortable using an enclosed carrier to ship your car.
If you’re looking for the most affordable way to ship your car, open carriers are typically the way to go.
However, if you’re concerned about protecting your car from the elements or potential damage, you may want to consider using an enclosed carrier instead.
Delivery Locations are limited with such car carriers
One of the biggest disadvantages of using an enclosed car carrier is that they have limited delivery and pick-up locations.
This is because there are not many enclosed carriers on the road, so they can only pick up and deliver vehicles to a limited number of locations.
If you’re shipping your car to a remote location, you may want to consider using an open carrier instead.
These car carriers are not suitable for Oversized vehicles
Enclosed car carriers are not suitable for oversized vehicles. If you’re shipping a large SUV or truck, you’ll need to use an open carrier.
Open carriers can accommodate any size vehicle, so if you’re shipping an oversized vehicle, they’re the way to go.
Bulk transportation is not feasible with these carriers
If you’re shipping more than one vehicle, you may want to consider using an open carrier.
Enclosed car carriers can only transport a few vehicles at a time, so if you’re shipping multiple vehicles, you’ll need to use an open carrier.
Open carriers can accommodate multiple vehicles, so they’re the way to go if you’re shipping more than one car.
Car rental companies, trucking companies, and other businesses that need to transport multiple vehicles frequently use open car carriers.
If you’re shipping more than one vehicle, you’ll need to use an open carrier.
There are a few ways to ship your vehicle. Click HERE to view convenient options for shipping your vehicle with Scott’s Auto Carrier.
Delays are possible
One of the disadvantages of using an enclosed car carrier is that they can be delayed due to a shortage of carriers.
Since there are not many enclosed carriers on the road, they can be in high demand and hard to come by.
This can cause delays in your car’s delivery. If you’re shipping your car on a tight schedule, you may want to consider using an open carrier instead.
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using an enclosed car carrier.
However, for most people, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. If you’re shipping your car long distance, we recommend using an enclosed car carrier to protect your investment.
Another disadvantage of using an enclosed car carrier is that they have limited space.
This means that they can only transport a limited number of vehicles at a time.
If you’re shipping multiple vehicles, you may want to consider using an open carrier instead.
Car rental companies and dealerships often use open carriers to transport multiple vehicles at once.
Do enclosed car carriers have any benefits?
Enclosed car shipping is typically more expensive than open-air transport, but it is worth the extra cost for many vehicle owners.
Here are some of the advantages of choosing enclosed car shipping:
1. Protection from the elements:
One of the biggest advantages of enclosed car shipping is that it protects your vehicle from weather damage.
If you’re shipping your car during bad weather, or if you’re worried about potential damage from road debris, enclosing your vehicle will give you peace of mind.
2. Increased security:
Another benefit of enclosed car shipping is that it provides increased security for your vehicle.
When your car is shipped in an enclosed trailer, it is less likely to be vandalized or stolen. This is especially important if you’re shipping an expensive or rare vehicle.
3. Peace of mind:
Enclosed car shipping gives you peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is well-protected during transport. This option is ideal for anyone who wants to ensure that their vehicle arrives in the same condition as when it left.
4. Better customer service:
Most car shipping companies offer better customer service for owners who choose enclosed shipping.
This includes things like updated tracking information and a higher level of customer support.
If you’re looking for the best possible shipping experience, choosing an enclosed option is a good way to get it.
5. Faster shipping times:
In some cases, enclosed car shipping can also be faster than open-air transport.
This is because many vehicle transport companies prioritize enclosed trailers when scheduling shipments.
So if you need your vehicle shipped as quickly as possible, choosing an enclosed option may help you get it there faster.
Enclosed car shipping is the best way to protect your vehicle during transport.
If you’re looking for increased security, peace of mind, or better customer service, this option is worth the extra cost.
Cost and Time requirements for enclosed car carriers
Enclosed car shipping costs vary depending on a number of factors, but it is typically more expensive than open-air transport.
On average, you can expect to pay around 10-15% more for enclosed shipping. The time required for enclosed car shipping is also typically longer than for open-air transport.
This is because there are fewer carriers on the road, and they often have to travel further to pick up and deliver shipments. In general, you can expect your shipment to take 1-2 days longer when using an enclosed carrier.
Looking for additional information on the costs of auto shipping? Check out Shipping Factors to learn more.
Choosing the best car shipping company
Now that you know the advantages of using an enclosed car carrier, it’s time to choose the right shipping company.
Here are a few things to look for when considering auto-shipping companies:
1. Experience:
When you’re entrusting your vehicle to a shipping company, you want to make sure that they have experience relevant to the car shipping industry with enclosed trailers.
This will ensure that your vehicle is in good hands during transport.
2. Reputation:
It’s also important to choose a shipping company with a good reputation.
Read online reviews and talk to friends and family to get recommendations. You should also make sure that the company is licensed and insured.
3. Customer service:
As we mentioned before, many vehicle shipping companies offer better customer service for owners who choose enclosed car shipping services.
This includes things like updated tracking information and a higher level of customer support.
If you’re looking for the best possible shipping experience, choosing a car transport company with good customer service is a good way to get it.
4. Price:
Enclosed car shipping cost is typically higher than open-air transport, but the price should be based on the distance of your shipment and the size of your vehicle.
Get quotes from some of the best car shipping companies before making a decision.
Make sure to check out if you qualify for an additional discount. Click HERE to see what discounts are offered by Scott’s Auto Carrier.
5. Flexibility:
Finally, make sure that you choose an auto transport company that is flexible and can accommodate your schedule.
If you need your vehicle shipped as quickly as possible, they should be able to work with you to get it
The Bottom Line:
Although enclosed car carriers offer a number of benefits, they also have a number of disadvantages that should be considered before making a purchase. By understanding the pros and cons of these carriers, you can make an informed decision about whether or not they are the right choice for you and your vehicle. Have you ever used an enclosed car carrier? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
About Scott’s Auto Carrier
Scott’s Auto Carrier is a leading Owner/Operator auto transport company with 20 years of service and counting! Dispatching regionally and nationwide to our network of 20,000+ carriers. Scott’s Auto Carrier offers customized service, 24/7 availability, and owner/operator commitment to quality, giving you competitive, reliable moving trucks, cars, RVs, boats or motorcycles, industrial units, non-operational vehicles, and more, moving quotes and peace-of-mind auto transport service. Get your quote today at: ScottsAutoCarrier.com/Request-a-Quote/
