Vehicle Transportation in Lorton VA

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 Lorton, 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.

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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 Lorton, VA.

Transporting a car or truck is not a very difficult practice, though 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 proper information and phoning the right Lorton auto transport service to take care of the job. Quite often when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and swiftly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is basically the same. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that is the owner of the trucks.

Lorton Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

First, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Lorton you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much simpler than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The advantage of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of communicating with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Lorton

Going with a Lorton auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Lorton auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the perfect rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Each and every Lorton auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Lorton auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

Always conduct an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lorton car hauler. The best way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Lorton comes to pick up your vehicle. This is basically a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. Any current damages will be reported in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during shipping.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

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

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lorton

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Lorton service to go with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Lorton

Going with a Lorton auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account depending on the value of the car you’re shipping.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Lorton you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.