Pat Goss' Tips & Expert Advice

Prepare Your Car For Shipping

There are a variety of ways you can ship a car, including trucks, trains, boats and other specialized vehicles. If your car is going to be shipped through potentially bad weather, you should consider picking a car shipping method that protects it, such as a train or truck. Any reliable car transport service should offer advice on how to prepare a car for shipping and this advice may vary depending on the method you choose. Always get a copy of these requirements and keep them with other important paperwork. Some basic information about preparing a car for shipping includes the following:

• Remove any car, tire, bike or cargo racks. These can easily be damaged during shipping.
• Lower antennas and remove any broken or lose parts.
• Remove valuables. In some cases, you can ship valuables inside your car, as well as inside the car container your vehicle is placed in for shipping, but usually this is not a good idea. If you do decide to ship personal belonging make sure they are insured againt theft and placed in the trunk.
• If you are shipping your car through cold temperatures, follow routine winterizing guidelines. Make sure the emergency brake is in good working order.
• Keep the gas tank at 1/4 full or less.
• Keep an extra set of keys with you.