Vehicle Transport in Durham NC
Answers 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.
Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Durham, 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.
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 Durham, NC.
The automobile shipping industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the best decision possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and getting in touch with the right Durham auto transport service to manage the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most essential distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.
How to Tell the Difference Between Durham Auto Carriers and Brokers
You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Durham. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.
How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, 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.
What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?
A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Durham auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the perfect choice for their clients.
Guidelines for Shipping Your Car
Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.
Auto carriers are prohibited from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Durham is unable to transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Durham car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.
Document any body damage on your vehicle
Always conduct an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Durham car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to identify dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s ideal to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.
Understanding your Bill of Lading.
The client will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Durham auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The driver and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Your vehicle should be insured against damages.
Although the Durham auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea 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 chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Durham
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Durham to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Durham
Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The very same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more cost effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Durham
Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Durham auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.