Car Shipping in Rapid City SD

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 Rapid City, 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 Rapid City, SD.

Shipping a automobile is not a very challenging practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and getting in touch with the right Rapid City auto transport service to take care of the job. More often than not when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Rapid City

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Rapid City you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers already 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 ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

Finding a Car Carrier in Rapid City

An auto transport carrier is the supplier that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Rapid City auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No auto shipper is allowed to transfer any object that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Rapid City will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

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

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Rapid City auto hauler you should look at your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your car prior to using a Rapid City auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Rapid City auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows 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. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Rapid City auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Rapid City

To guarantee you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Rapid City there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every qualified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Rapid City

Rapid City auto transport businesses make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Before making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Rapid City that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.