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Auto shipping may seem like a gigantic task, but if you know what to do beforehand, you should be able to pull it off rather easily.

With auto transport, one of the major hassles you have to deal with is preparing the car before it's shipped. First, you must wash the car well, even if it's going to be shipped on an open trailer. This will make it easier to identify any chips, dings, or damage that occurs en route, if it occurs. The next rule of car shipping is to take all personal items out of the vehicle. You don't want to leave anything behind while the car is traveling to its destination.

Make sure the car alarm is disabled and ensure that the gas tank isn't full. It's recommended to keep the tank between 1/8 and 1/4 full so that the car weighs as little as possible. With car transport, the weight may affect the price, so keep this in mind when preparing the car.

Remove or secure anything in the car that can come loose, such as ground effects, spoilers, and fog lights. Wide mirrors should be folded back, and move antennae out of the way as well. With auto transport, the more that stays out of the way, the better.

When prepping your vehicle for car transport, ensure that the car battery is charged, the tires are inflated properly, and you top off all fluids. If anything is wrong with the car or it has any quirks, write them down for the driver, as well as all the information needed to start, stop, and drive the car onto the trailer. Details are important with car shipping.

It's also a good idea to write down any damage that your vehicle already has, if any, before auto shipping. This is so you have a record of the condition of the vehicle prior to auto shipping. You can even take pictures if it makes you feel better about the process.

So what are the different ways you can go about car shipping? The first option is an open trailer. This type of auto transport is uncovered and is the most popular option due to the price. This is the inexpensive way to go about car transport, so if you want to save money, this is the choice for you. Keep in mind that your car will be open to the elements with this type of auto transport.

Your second option is a closed trailer that consists of a covered freight area. People shipping expensive cars or a classic car tend to use this type of car shipping, for obvious reasons. Another reason to use this type of car transport is to protect your vehicle if you will be shipping it through dry areas. This means your car will be safe from wind, sand, and heat. Of course, covered auto shipping is more expensive.

The cost of auto transport essentially depends on the distance the car will travel, as well as how busy that particular route is.

It's always a good idea to find a car transport service that is well-known and trustworthy. When car shipping, you don't want to put your vehicle in the hands of a car transport company that doesn't know how to handle car transportation properly.

Before selecting an auto shipping company, ask a lot of questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the driver ahead of time. Talk about price so that it's clear what you will be paying from the start. A car transport service, when shipping a car, should be clear on price. Shipping a car is a big investment for you, so it pays to be informed.

Vehicle shipping and car transportation companies that have credibility in the industry and a good reputation are the best choices to make. Auto shippers that have a bad name should be avoided because vehicle shipping is not a game - you can't afford to damage your car due to negligent auto shippers. Shop around until you find the best company for you.