Buying a new commuter car for your job in the city still requires shipping it home first. You need a way to get that car from the seller to your driveway so you can give it a quick wash, put in all your personal items, and then relax as you hit the highway on Monday morning.
Part of that decision process is matching the delivery trailer to your vehicle type. You could have a heavy-duty truck with wider framing and wheel wells than something smaller like a hybrid Prius. All of those factors play a role in the size, dimensions, and weight capacity of the types of trailers for cars.
Instead of trying to figure out those details on your own, the best thing you can do is partner with a reliable car shipping company like Nexus Auto Transport to coordinate trailer options. That ensures you get the right balance of price, protection, and delivery availability.
Why Most Vehicles Ship on Open Auto Transport Trailers
For the over 237,000,000 licensed drivers in the United States, open auto transport is a great solution. These are the types of delivery trailers that allow for multiple vehicles to be stored at once. You may have seen them on the highways before, with anywhere from 4 to 9 trucks, cars, and SUVs, all fit closer together, arranged in two levels.
Open vehicle transport means the cars may have a plastic wrap around them, but, for the most part, are exposed to changing weather, seasonal shifts, road debris, and occasional looky-loos interested in what is being moved.
There may be a few types of vehicles used for car transport that are unique to this category based on the carrier's specialties. You might find a large flatbed trailer for heavy-duty machinery, or an open trailer with a weight-balanced hitch for 1-3 cars wider than the average consumer vehicle. Otherwise, it’s going to be a big rig and a larger trailer.
Why Choose Open Vehicle Transport Trailers?
The best reason to go with open transport is pricing. More carriers ship using this method, so you have more options for timing, pricing, and if you have any special requests.
The downside is you will have to deal with the occasional rock kicking up and chipping the windshield or the vehicle arriving with a layer of dust after moving from California to Kansas.
When Enclosed Auto Transport Trailers Are Worth the Extra Cost
The other options you’ll find for auto delivery trailers are enclosed. Most people who ship antique cars, specialty or luxury vehicles, rare finds, or even a parts car that no longer starts will go with enclosed auto delivery.
The types of trailers used for enclosed shipping vary widely. You’ll find the types of boxed-in trailers that would ship something like a race car before hitting a track, all the way to extended trailers that can ship a luxury car, motorcycle, and ATV, all purchased at auction.
Most enclosed trailers also include specialty equipment for low-clearance vehicles or when you need to “lift” an inoperable vehicle up onto the bed.
Why Choose Enclosed Vehicle Transport Trailers?
The best reason to choose an enclosed auto delivery is the protection it offers. No one will know your 1965 Ford Mustang is hiding inside that trailer, and you don’t have to worry about road debris or weather damaging your investment. The different types of auto transports and their benefits are important with luxury, collector, and custom-made vehicles.
The downside is that there are fewer carriers for this option, so you’ll have to pay a little more and may need to schedule sooner to get your desired timeframe.
What About Flatbeds, Tow Dollies, Goosenecks, and Other Trailer Types?
In the world of auto shipping, there are a lot of different types of trailers for cars. You can DIY your vehicle delivery, but you may need to get really comfortable with driving, turning, and backing up a trailer before hitting the road.
When you DIY using a flatbed or tow dolly, you also pay rental fees, hotel stays, food, and fuel. That’s pretty common for most consumer vehicles and a trailer you get from U-Haul or Penske. However, the vehicle you use to tow will need a tow hitch opening of 2 inches by 2 inches to make that work.
If you’re looking for commercial trailers to ship an excavator or multiple vehicles at once, you’ll need to get your hands on a gooseneck or pintle hitch. There’s also a drop-deck option if you have something like a sports Porsche trim with low road clearance. All of those will require heftier rental fees and a lot of coordination.
DIYing your tow trailers can work, but you’ll need to know the details of:
Vehicle size
Vehicle weight
Ground clearance
Whether the vehicle runs
Pickup access
Delivery access
Route restrictions
Loading requirements
It makes way more sense to go with a team like Nexus Auto Transport that can manage all that coordination for you.
Auto Transport Trailer Comparison
Trailer Type | Best Used For | Vehicle Protection Level | Typical Price Range* | Transport Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Auto Trailer | Daily drivers, SUVs, pickup trucks, family vehicles, dealership inventory | Moderate | $500–$1,600 | 6–10 vehicles |
Enclosed Trailer | Luxury cars, classic cars, exotic vehicles, collector cars, custom builds | Excellent | $900–$2,500+ | 1–6 vehicles |
Flatbed Trailer | Inoperable vehicles, oversized trucks, specialty equipment | High | $300–$1,200 (short-distance) | 1 vehicle |
Heavy Equipment Transporter | Construction equipment, oversized commercial trucks, agricultural machinery, industrial equipment | Moderate to High | $1,500–$5,000+ | 1–3 large pieces of equipment |
Getting Professional Trailer Options for Your Next Car Delivery
At Nexus Auto Transport, you’ll gain access to a massive network of professional carriers, all with their own types of vehicles used for car transport. You can easily find a trailer that will fit your oversized Expedition on the back just as much as a spot for that Prius you want to gift your college-bound graduate.
Nexus offers both open and enclosed options as well as expedited delivery if you have strict timeframe needs. With door-to-door shipping, real-time updates, and a proven track record for excellent customer support, you won’t have to decide between trailer hitch styles or sizes.
Explore our complete guide to car shipping services to better understand your trailer options.
Make the Trailer Match the Delivery
Working with different trailers to tow a car bought across the country or something you’ve found locally is challenging. You have to consider many safety requirements, as well as clearance and vehicle-hitch adaptability. Knowing the different types of auto transports and their benefits helps you make a good decision for your budget and vehicle specifications.
A much better solution is to go with Nexus Auto Transport. That leaves all the coordinated support to highly professional team members while you relax and prepare for your delivery to arrive at your doorstep.
FAQs
What is the most cost-effective auto transport trailer for cross-country shipping?
Open delivery is the easiest to schedule and the most cost-effective, as more carriers offer this option.
In which cases is it strictly necessary to choose an enclosed trailer?
Any car requiring higher insurance coverage will likely end up inside an enclosed trailer for added protection. That tends to be luxury, auction, sports, and collector vehicles.
Can I request a specific type of trailer for an inoperable vehicle?
Yes, but remember that it’s a game of numbers. There may be only a select few carriers with the specialty equipment you need for your desired timeframe. If you need a specific trailer, try to book your transport 3-4 weeks in advance for the best results.
Does the choice of transport trailer affect the final delivery time?
Yes. Open transport trailers offer the most flexible scheduling and the fastest delivery times. The only real exception is if you come across a 1-2 sized trailer that runs more local routes.
