Deciding whether to use enclosed or open transport to ship cars is problematic for several folks. While there may be a solution for every issue, one perplexing query looms above all: does enclosed car shipping take longer than open? Despite the time constraints, costs, and level of protection offered, there is fierce competition in both types of transport for reliability.
This article details the characteristics of enclosed car shipping, how it compares with open car shipping, the time limitations concerning both methods, and comparisons between them. Ultimately, this article intends to explain as much as possible regarding the varying methods of transporting vehicles and the time intervals associated with each.
Open Car Shipping
Also referred to as uncovered transport. Before we examine enclosed car transport, it’s crucial we look at other forms of transport, starting with open transport.
In open transport (also referred to as open carrier transport), a vehicle is placed in an open carrier, usually a trailer that has slots for multiple cars. This is one of the most popular and cost-efficient methods of shipping vehicles.
The availability of bulk cars is usually associated with the primary benefits of open transport, which are considered low-cost and speedy. Some trade-offs include risk of damage from debris, exposure to weather conditions, and theft.
Step by step breakdown of open transport method:
– Vehicles are carried on the trailer alongside other vehicles, usually in a side by side fashion.
– The vehicle is restrained in position so that it does not move while the carrier is in motion.
– Strapped into place so that they come under standard vehicle classification. This is why this service is popular due to its fast delivery.
What is Enclosed Car Shipping?
Compared to different strategies, enclosed car shipping is more protective when transporting cars, particularly vintage and luxury cars. In this method, your car is stored in an enclosed trailer which protects it from the weather as well as possible road debris. It utilizes custom trailers that protect mallow finish cars or expensive vehicles.
How Enclosed Car Shipping Works:
– The automobile is stored in an enclosed trailer that offers full protection from outside elements.
– The car is safeguarded from weather elements, dirt, road debris, and other dangerous elements during transportation.
– High-risk open transport is more frequently used for cars that are rare or expensive and require extra caution if they are custom built.
Does enclosed car shipping take longer than open transport?
When trying to answer this question, a couple of key factors need to be looked at. The general consensus is that enclosed car shipping takes longer than open transport, but usually only by a small margin. Some reasons for this are:
- Availability of Enclosed Trailers
The enclosed type of transport utilizes specific trailers. These are not as readily available to the market as the open carriers used for regular vehicles. This is a truck that transports trailers under construction. It is therefore transportable. More unfurnished trailers can mean reduced boarding delays. Many contractors, however, are not like this. A lot of professional firms do have a good maintained fleet of enclosed trailers.
- Fewer Deliveries Per Trip
With open transport, they can load multiple vehicles for one delivery. That is not the case for enclosed car shipping as fewer vehicles are accepted at a time. This may improve the delivery timeframe, but only because the carrier has to make more stops or fewer locations. Because of this added specialization, enclosed transport takes longer to arrange delivery routes.
- Scheduling and Routing
Scheduling is more difficult for specialized vehicles like sports cars that necessitate enclosed car shipping. The vehicle may be shipped with lesser loads or with greater care, which adds even more complexity to the scheduling, especially when the routes have fewer drop-off points.
- Other Factors That Affect Shipping Time
In addition to the shipping carrier and type of transport used, enclosed or open, the transport’s speed is also affected.
The following are some car shipping time factors to consider:
- Distance
The distance between the pick-up and drop-off locations affects the estimated delivery times greatly. As with any other mode of transport, enclosed shipping takes longer for more distant locations compared to nearer regions.
- Seasonality
Time of year is another factor that affects waiting time. Certain months, particularly summer and festive dates, are associated with increased consumer spending and consequently, slow movement of vehicles. This tends to happen more with enclosed transport which has high demand, longer wait times, and requires specialized equipment.
- Provision of Services Related to Shipping
There are several car shipping companies that specialize in either open or enclosed transport. If a certain company offers enclosed transport, they may need to come available first. Always confirm their availability and estimated time of transit before proceeding to book them.
- Difficulty of the Route
When it comes to the intricacy of the shipping route, the amount of time required to ship to the vehicle may be subject to change. There are some routes that are simpler and quicker, however, some routes are plagued with slow, meandering access roads that may seriously impede the vehicle’s shipping process.
Should one consider enclosed transport for their automobile?
The answer of the posed question greatly depends on how much value the car holds and the level of security that requires it offers. Here are the reasons why one might consider opting for enclosed transport, even with increased time expenditure.
- Enclosed shipping provides the highest level of protection for vehicles against external elements.
Exotic, luxury, and vintage cars during transit are best shielded using a enclosed trailer which increases the delivery time. However, they stand to benefit from the vast risk mitigation that enclosed transport has to offer. It guarantees that no precipitation like rain or any dirt and debris can affect the vehicle.
- Ease and Comfort
Enclosed shippers are the most secure options, as they provide the best ease and comfort. If you are transporting cars with emotional or deep monetary value, you might want that level of care, even if it means additional time.
- Costs vs. Benefit
The value of the enclosed trailer’s security can be worth the money if the automobile’s value is greater than the shipping cost. This might not always stand true, but for high-end or rare cars, the investment provides the utmost protection against damage.
Final Thoughts
The difference when using enclosed shipping versus open transport is time; however, it is not significant for our purposes in this document. In this case, it comes down to the vehicles worth, risk, and for the owners, peace of mind.
Here at Car Shipping Source, we provide both open and enclosed car shipping services to suit your preferences. We will do everything possible to protect vehicles, whether they are classics, luxurious, or standard cars. For more information and a free quote, visit us at Car Shipping Source.
