888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Auto Shipping in Sutherland IA

transportation checkboxesAnswers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

Do you have questions such as what size auto carrier do I need or how much does this cost? Call us now to get all of your questions answered.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sutherland, we never charge hidden fees. Our pricing includes everything that you will need to transport your vehicle from point A to point B – all at extremely competitive rates.

transportation checkboxes

Dependable Service
On time delivery and pickup

Don’t settle for slow response or late deliveries. For over 10 years we have shipped vehicles on time, when and where our customers need them. Call today to see why we’re the best budget auto transport company in Sutherland, IA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

picture of auto transporter in Sutherland, IA

Hauling a vehicle is not a really complicated practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and calling the right Sutherland auto transport service to take care of the job. Often times when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the auto carrier themselves. They both offer the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your automobile, the process is fundamentally the same. The main data you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Sutherland

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Sutherland, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before selecting a service.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the best one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Sutherland auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the best choice for their customers.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Sutherland from transporting vehicles with personal possessions in them. Common household products that might be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping troubles.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Sutherland auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Sutherland auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your car on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Even though the Sutherland auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Make Certain You Choose the Ideal Car Shipping Business in Sutherland

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Sutherland car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a great idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Sutherland

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If you are opting for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the open air. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five vehicles.

Selecting The Best Auto Transport Service in Sutherland

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Sutherland that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.