subject: Exploring Open Auto Shipping Carriers [print this page] A customer will often make a choice of services based solely on price and reliability being unaware of all the options available to them. While price and reliability are certainly basic issues to consider in any selection of providers, there may be several types of providers within the industry that are unknown to them. Lets look at the auto shipping industry. Most of these businesses, of course, have a fleet of big trucks with big trailers that haul cars over some distance. The wise customer who chooses not to drive the vehicle himself hundreds or thousands of miles but elects for someone else to do this safely for him, needs to have some idea of the technical aspects of the industry in order to make the selection that best fits his situation.
There is air and water shipping which are a separate special subject. Within a country, cars are most commonly shipped over land, either in open carriers or in closed carriers. Open carriers are the more common, quickly operated, and cheaper type, though often through oversight than necessity. They accommodate about a dozen vehicles and are reliable enough to be used by anybody, as long as the precise purposes and circumstances of the transport are estimated. Long-distance transportation had perhaps better be done by closed carriers, since cars in open carriers are open to road debris, dirt, inclement weather, and plain vandalism or theft. In fact, even short distances are sometimes better traveled when sleet, sun, sand, or hail threaten to turn your car from that beautiful cherry red to patchy brown. Even if you have made sure any such damage is covered by insurance (preferably, the company's), the resulting fuss in most cases is not worth the trouble.
In fact, that Duisenberg owner probably shipped it in a closed carrier, like most owners of rare, expensive, or vintage cars. But that shouldn't keep owners of Fords and Chevys from considering this means of transport too. Yes, it is more expensive than open carrier transport because the closed-type cannot carry as many vehicles, only 2 to 4 units, and is itself more expensive to buy than the open one.
The essence of open carrier shipping is its cost advantage. Driving a car yourself a long distance to its final destination will probably cost you more than hiring it done by an auto shipper, because of the cost of gas, repairs on route, possible damage to the vehicle, and the differing traffic laws of states that are you not aware of. The cost of shipping your car is at very least a known factor.
It would be hard for anyone to miss the sight of an open auto transport truck, they are common road sites which is testament to their reliability and safety. These carriers because of their size, approximately 80 feet long and 14 feet high, are restricted to those roads capable of accommodating them, roads without low bridges, sharp turns and low tree growth. Goods are constantly being manufactured that rely on these carriers to get their wares to show rooms and stores.
Open transport is likely to be more flexible in its options, offer convenient time-frames and perks. Open-carrier customers have the option of shipping their car on the top rack (further away from thieves and vandals) or even in tow behind the truck (perhaps further away from hostile natural elements).
by: Tom Kearns.
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