Car Transport in Harlingen TX
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The auto transport industry offers a convenient way to move your vehicles across long distances for a comparatively low rate. Rather than trying to transfer various vehicles on your own, you can simply seek the services of a company to handle the job quickly and safely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the correct hauler and options may seem challenging. In this article we’ll evaluate the options and facts that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in Harlingen. The vast majority of auto haulers will supply transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with different shipping options. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can choose to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll clarify below.
How to Tell the Difference Between Harlingen Auto Carriers and Brokers
When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Harlingen, there are essentially 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 merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will move vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
How to Identify an Auto Transporter
When you choose to seek out a Harlingen auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. 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. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Harlingen from transporting vehicles with personal belongings in them. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping issues.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
Always carry out an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Harlingen 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 easier to identify dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s most effective 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 issues during transporting it.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
You’ll receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Harlingen car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an inspection of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.
Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.
You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Harlingen companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Harlingen
You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Harlingen service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. 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 realize the process a little better.
Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Harlingen
Going with a Harlingen 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. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually 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.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Harlingen that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.