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Vehicle Transport in Oak Park CA

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Oak Park, 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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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 Oak Park, CA.

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

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The car shipping business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the very best decision possible for shipping your vehicle. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and calling the right Oak Park auto transport service to manage the job. Often times when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that is the owner of the trucks.

How to Tell the Difference Between Oak Park Auto Carriers and Brokers

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Oak Park, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. 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. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most efficient auto shipper for their needs. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one area to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will contact a variety of Oak Park auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping process. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the job. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Oak Park. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the best choice for their clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Each and every Oak Park auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Oak Park 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 sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

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

Always perform an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Oak Park car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Oak Park auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree 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 motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Oak Park service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Choose the Perfect Car Shipping Supplier in Oak Park

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a final decision on which auto transport Oak Park service to go with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure 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 reputation. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

Oak Park Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Oak Park auto transport companies make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided 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 generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Oak Park

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Oak Park that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.