How to Prepare a Vehicle for Shipping
Shipping a vehicle can seem like a nerve wracking experience at first glance. Whether you are moving to a new city or just transferring your classic car to a show, the experience can seem daunting at the start. However, there are some things you can do to help make the experience go more smoothly and help reduce anxiety.
Remove Personal Items (Including Outside Accessories)
Before your shipping agent comes to pick up your vehicle, you may be advised to remove any personal belongings, including outside accessories. This can include;
- Dashboard accessories
- Items hanging off the rearview mirror
- Items on the antenna of your vehicle
- Any holiday accessories like wreaths, antlers, and similar items.
By removing these kinds of items, it will help limit the risk of damage to your vehicle or to the accessories. For example, the reindeer antlers on your wife’s car may bring festive holiday cheer, but not removing them before transporting the vehicle could damage them like the Grinch tried to damage Christmas.
Wash Your Vehicle
While this sounds like a simple thing, it can make a huge difference in your shipping experience. When you wash your vehicle, it not only looks great when it arrives at its final destination but also allows you to do several other things before shipping.
First, it allows you to wash off any grime that may impact how well the vehicle is secured. Especially during the winter months, grime and road salt can build up on a vehicle. Giving your vehicle a good scrub can wash that crud away.
Second, it allows you to look for any pre-existing scratches or dings that may be hard to see if the vehicle is dirty. Please be sure to take documentation of any pre-existing damage to your vehicle before its scheduled pickup time.
Document Any Pre-existing Damage Before Shipping
After giving it a good scrub, check over your vehicle and document any pre-existing damage. Photos and videos are some of the best options for this task. That dent from the time you backed into the garage door? Document it. The scratch from when the tree limb fell on your car? Snap a quick photo.
Documenting this information can help avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. Your transporter should take a look over the vehicle before loading as well and do their own documentation. This step is to help ensure complete transparency and honesty between the transporter and the client.
Check The Fluid Levels And For Any Fluid Leaks
Before your transporter comes to pick up your vehicle, always check the fluid levels and for any possible leaks. Much like preparing to go on a long road trip, this falls under basic maintenance. And just like a long road trip, if your fluids are low it is advisable to top them off.
If you do find any fluid leaks, it is recommended to take the steps necessary before shipping. If time allows, repairing the leaks is the best course of action. At a minimum, please make sure your transporter knows about the leaks so they are able to take the necessary precautions when transporting your vehicle.
Let your Transporter Know Of Any Existing Mechanical Problems
Communication with your transporting agent can help both you and the transporter assigned to your shipping appointment avoid headaches and anxiety. Depending on the extent of the mechanical issues, special equipment may be required to safely load, transport, and unload your vehicle at its destination. This type of communication will not only help get your vehicle from point A to point B safely and in a timely manner but is also appreciated by your transporter.
Know Who to Call With Questions And Concerns
When shipping a car, knowing who to call with questions and concerns can help remove a large chunk of anxiety. At Snowbird Auto Transports, we are here to walk you through every step of the way. Our team of dedicated shipping experts is on standby to answer any of your questions or concerns.
To reach out to a shipping specialist, please call us at (888)-803-4014 or send us an email. We will respond to your request in as timely a manner as possible.
Shipping a vehicle does not have to be a nerve-wracking experience. By following these steps, you can help take out the anxiety of transporting your vehicle to where it needs to go. Trust the experts at Snowbirds Auto Transport to help create a pleasant and smooth shipping experience. And with our 30-day price guarantee, what more could you ask for?
At Snowbirds Auto Transport, our goal is to help you every step of the way. Give us a call or email us to get started on a custom vehicle shipping quote. You and your family have more important things to worry about, so let us help take the anxiety out of transporting your vehicle.
