How to prepare for your
upcoming vehicle shipment
Are you shipping your vehicle for the first time and you’re not sure how the procedure works? No worries, we’ve got you covered. In this article we’ll provide you with all the information you might possibly need during the whole process of the shipment.
Let’s start with what you need to do and know before the pick up
Let’s start with what you need to do and know before the pick up
- Preparing Your Vehicle for Safe Transport
- Secure Loose Parts. Before shipping, ensure that all loose or detachable parts are removed, particularly if your vehicle will be transported on an open car hauler. This prevents potential damage or loss during transit.
- Fuel Requirements. To comply with DOT weight regulations, your gas tank should not exceed ¼ full. This ensures that the vehicle can be loaded and unloaded safely while keeping the total transport weight within permitted limits.
- Alarm System. Disable your vehicle's alarm system before pickup or provide the alarm remote to the carrier. This helps prevent unnecessary disruptions during transit and ensures a smooth delivery process.
- Cargo Restrictions: Prioritize Safety and Compliance
- Prohibited Items. For security and legal reasons, firearms, ammunition, fire extinguishers, and other hazardous materials cannot be transported inside your vehicle. Please thoroughly check your vehicle and remove any restricted items before shipping.
- Toll Tags & Electronic Payment Devices. Before transport, remove any pre-paid toll devices such as EZ Pass, Sun Pass, or similar transponders. Leaving them in the vehicle may result in unintended toll charges while in transit. If you notice any unexpected charges, please contact us immediately for assistance.
- Personal Items and Security Measures
- Personal Items. When transporting personal belongings, limit them to soft and lightweight items. You may place luggage or small boxes in the trunk, with a maximum weight of 100 lbs. Items such as infant car seats and spare tires with jacks are permitted. However, do not over-pack the vehicle or place any unsecured items inside, as this may lead to additional fees or the removal of excess cargo for safety reasons. If you need to transport extra items inside your vehicle, inform your shipping agent in advance.
- Paperwork or Valuable Items. For security purposes, do not leave important documents such as your vehicle title, registration, or personal paperwork, nor any valuable items inside the vehicle. Always remove them and keep them with you during transport to prevent loss or damage.
- Keys. You must provide the carrier with keys to the ignition, trunk, gas cap, and any locked compartments. For security, we strongly recommend making duplicate keys and providing the carrier with copies only, while keeping your original set.