How to prepare a vehicle for transport?

For some relocations, it may be necessary to transport your car from your old house to the new one. Maybe you’re moving long-distance and you prefer to fly. And that is perfectly okay! Sometimes, cross country relocation can be even more challenging if you drive your car to your destination. It’s far easier to hop on a plane and have your car waiting for you once you land. In order to make this happen, you will have to work with a moving company that offers vehicle shipping services. Be careful, as not all moving companies offer this service. Luckily for you, we’ve got just the tips for you to properly prepare a vehicle for transport.

man sitting on the hood of a car — Not everyone wants to take a roadtrip to the other side of the country. Sometimes, it may be necessary to ship your car to your destination so you can fly over and travel more easily.

Is it complicated to prepare a vehicle for transport?

The answer to this question that all of the best cross country movers will give you is – no, absolutely not! Getting your car ready for transport is quite simple, as long as you know what to do. First things first, let’s clarify what you can expect from a car shipping company you hire for the job.

There is one difference between a truck that will deliver your moving boxes and your furniture and the truck that will bring your car. The first one will pick the boxes from the old house and deliver them right on the doorstep of your new home. Depending on the moving services you get, the movers may even unpack for you! However, it’s a bit different when it comes to auto transport Florida. The company that transports your car will deliver it to their lot, and you will have to pick it up. Even though it might sound like more work, it actually makes more sense. In most cases, you will not be there in time to receive the car and the keys. It’ll be safe in the lot, waiting for you to arrive!

What do you need to do before your car gets picked up?

First of all, you should thoroughly clean your vehicle. This is the first step to preparing it for transport. Pay attention to both the interior and the exterior of your car when you’re cleaning it. Dirt and dust that’s been sitting on your car for a longer time may be hiding some damages you didn’t know about. After all, you want your vehicle to be in the best shape possible, so it arrives at the destination completely ready for you.

Another tip when you need to remember when you prepare a vehicle for transport is to empty it out. While you’re cleaning, you may notice that your glove compartment is filled with junk or things you completely forgot about. Take everything out, including the items that may be sitting in your trunk. Your car will travel a long way on a truck, and the items inside may not be safe during transport. Don’t forget to also remove items that are flammable and may be dangerous to transport as well.

inside of a convertible car — Don’t forget to empty your glove compartment and your trunk before you hand over the car to the shipping company.

Service your vehicle when you’re getting it ready for transport

A full mechanical inspection should be on top of your to-do list when you’re preparing your vehicle for relocation. Not only will that make it easier for you to record any possible damages it got on the road, but it will also give you peace of mind. Knowing that a fully serviced clean car is waiting for you in the lot after you arrive will relive some of the moving stress. Some of the things you should check on your vehicle are the following:

Check if the brakes are fully functioning, as well as the emergency brake.
Make sure the battery is fully charged and that it has no issues. If you had problems with your battery in the past, we advise you to get a new one before transporting your vehicle.
Tires have to be fully inflated and not have any damages.
Due to the safety of the team transporting your car, you should not have more than 1/4 of your gas tank filled. It will make the car lighter and safer to relocate.
Check for any oil leaks and other possible issues.

blue gas tank in the station — Don’t fill your vehicle with gas before transport. It’ll be heavier and more dangerous to transport. Instead, have only 1/4 or even 1/8 of your tank filled.

Prepare a vehicle for transport by removing all accessories

We already mentioned that you should completely empty your vehicle before you hand it over to a car shipping company. This includes the accessories you may have placed inside or outside your car. Remember, a company can deny transport if they feel like your vehicle isn’t fit to be transported and can cause damage to other vehicles on the truck. Remove any DVD and CD players you have installed, as well as a GPS system if it’s not already embedded in the car. You should also remove or retract your antennas, so they don’t break while the car is in transport.

Last, but not least, make sure your vehicle is locked before you hand it over. The alarm system in your car should be disabled, so it doesn’t suddenly go off during transport. Record any existing damage on the car, so you can see more easily if any new damage occurs. Once you fully prepare a vehicle for transport, give us a call! We will gladly help you transport your car to the desired destination if you are unable to do so. With years of experience in the industry, we know exactly what it takes to safely get your vehicle where you want it to be.