As with a lot of things in life, deciding between enclosed and open car transport requires serious thought. Choosing the most appropriate method of shipping your car can be the difference between worrying and relaxation. In the car shipping industry, closed car transport is usually more expensive than open transport. Why could that be? In this article, we will cover some reasons why enclosed transport is more expensive than open and provide you with the information you need to make a car transport decision.
Compared to other methods of transportation, open transportation is at the pinnacle of affordability – it comes with very few, if any, hidden charges. An open air trailer that can carry a large number of cars will be used to transport your vehicle. The trailer itself is large and, more often than not, able to carry numerous vehicles simultaneously, making it a sensible and economical option.
Despite your car being subjected to the elements, open transport is known for its safety and security features. Most vehicles shipped on open carriers arrive at their destination without any issues, standing in stark contrast to the condition of the vehicle at the start of transit. This method is ideal for many standard vehicles, but may not be suitable for those requiring extra care or protection during transport.
Understanding Enclosed Car Transport
A more specialized and premium service is enclosed car transport. Unlike the other transport methods, for enclosed car transport your car is placed in an enclosed trailer which protects it from weather, flying debris, and many other potential damage inflicting factors during shipping. Exotic cars, luxury cars, classic vehicles, and any other high value vehicles that need extra care usually require enclosed transport.
The transport trailer that uses the enclosed form of transport protects your car from the rain, snow, dirt, and other elements that it may come in contact with on a road ensuring a cleaner and a more protected journey. In addition, there is improved security for the vehicle since it is hidden from view.
Enclosed Car Transport: Reasons Why Its More Expensive
- Extra Protection and Security
The most significant reason why enclosed car transport is more expensive is the extra protection and security it’s offers. Placing your vehicle in a fully enclosed trailer protects it from environmental factors such as rain, snow, dirt, and road debris. This is especially true for high value vehicles since such protection helps maintain the vehicle’s appearance and condition.
Additionally, compared to open transport, the enclosed method of conveyance provides enhanced security. While a vehicle is being transported within an enclosed trailer, it cannot be seen and, therefore, is less prone to theft or vandalism. This level of protection is especially important when transporting luxury, exotic, or classic cars.
- Load Limitations
Unlike open transport, which employs large air trailers to freely transport several vehicles at once, enclosed car transport has a smaller load limit. Smaller enclosed trailers, depending on their size, will only accommodate 2-4 vehicles. With fewer vehicles to transport, the cost for each car increases.
These increased costs of transporting fewer vehicles in an enclosed vehicle transport trailer gets passed on to the customer as more expensive closed transport.
- More Specialized Equipment
Because of the nature of the work, the equipment used in enclosed car transport, such as for the safe and secure movement of vehicles, must be more specialized. To prevent damage to vehicles while moving them, enclosed trailers must be stronger and tougher than ordinary ones. In addition, other enclosed features like hydraulic lifts enable the vehicle to be better held in place without incurring any damage.
Standard open-air trailers incur less expense in maintenance and operation than this type of specialized equipment. Because every new service brings with it additional expenses, companies will have to change their pricing accordingly.
- Higher Insurance and Risk Responsibility
As described in section 3, encapsulated shipping refers to fully enclosing the item being transported with additional padding or control elements during air transport, typically reserved for box shipping. It is often used for sports cars, luxury vehicles, and rare classic vehicles that are considered fragile, rare, or high value. Containing these cars likely maximizes protective measures due to the reason that they are more likely to get damaged or stolen. Transporting these particular types of cars increases the risk for commercial vehicle transport companies because they must justify the increased responsibility for the highly valuable commodities.
To mitigate these risks, transport companies need to adopt specific measures, for instance, an enhanced level of protection in the form of insurance, which will possibly increase operational expenses during transport. Such elements raise the cost of enclosed shipping.
Enhanced Adaptability in Scheduling and Shipment Capacity
Due to the restricted availability of trailers, enclosed car shipping may take longer than open transport. Enclosed service may have fewer routes which results in the greater use of shipment diversity within different customer shipments inter-modally. It is reasonable to suppose that this results in slower delivery times.
Likewise, the shipping company might encounter some constraints with schedule due to having fewer vehicles transported in an enclosed trailer. They might be fully booked on certain dates which can affect the service cost. That level of flexibility and meticulous consideration comes at a price.
There are other options available that may rightfully question whether closed transport is worth the financial strain.
For some owners, the additional cost associated with enclosed vehicle shipping is invaluable because of the increased protection provided. For instance, if you own a classic luxury or even a rare model exotic car, these vehicles are worthy of peace of mind and additional shielding. The ability to protect such an investment from destructive weather makes this choice very appealing for most people seeking transport.
On the contrary, if the vehicle is a standard make, open exposure would be more practical and economical because it does not put the vehicle at risk. Even though the option is open, there is still reliable and safe transportation, and numerous vehicles reach their destinations without any damages.
When Should You Choose Enclosed Car Transport?
Enclosed car transport is best suited for:
– Exotic Cars: Classic or modern models that captivate drivers with their performance and intricate details.
– Show Cars: Immaculate high-end vehicles that are showcased at exhibitions or events.
– Luxury Cars: The prototype model or brand flagship car for popular manufacturers and other manufacturers is usually a high-end luxury vehicle.
– Custom Vehicles or Motorcycles: Unique designs that require increased user attention.
– Classic Cars: Post-war vintage cars manufactured up to 1970, usually with valuable paintwork and fragile parts.
Conclusion
In comparison to open transport, enclosed car transport is at a higher cost. However, the protection, security, and level of care that is provided justifies the cost for owners of exotic, classic, and luxury vehicles. Car owners looking to ship a cost effective valuable vehicle with minimal risk will most certainly find enclosed transport beneficial.
Car Shipping Center limited offers both open and enclosed car transport to cater the exact requirements of their client. We specialize in providing tailored solutions that simplify their clients’ transportation needs.
