Auto Shipping in Red Lodge MT

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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 Red Lodge, 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 Red Lodge, MT.

Auto transport organizations exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than trying to transport multiple vehicles on your own, you can simply hire a company to deal with the job swiftly and safely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the proper hauler and options may seem challenging. In this article we’ll review the options and information that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Red Lodge. The majority of auto haulers will supply transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with numerous shipping options. Quite often you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll explain below.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Red Lodge

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. It may seem like a challenging procedure, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the best one for them. If you work 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 move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Red Lodge

An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be tough to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. The consumer will be responsible for finding a company that handles auto transport in Red Lodge, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Red Lodge from transporting vehicles with personal possessions in them. Typical household goods 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 option to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Red Lodge 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 idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gasoline during shipping. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up adding a significant quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

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

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Red Lodge auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. That way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

When the Red Lodge auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It will also guarantee that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Red Lodge service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Red Lodge for Your Needs

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Red Lodge to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. 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. Finally, 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 operates.

Red Lodge Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Red Lodge 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 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 generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. 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 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 depending on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Red Lodge

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. 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 demands just fine. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Red Lodge that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.