Do you know that shipping larger vehicles can cost a lot more as compared to transporting standard-sized cars? This highlights the significant role played by weight and size in determining the costs of auto transport.
So, if you are planning to transport larger vehicles, such as SUVs, trucks, or vans, it’s essential to understand the impact of a vehicle’s size and weight on its shipping rates. By doing so, you can be well-prepared for the overall expenses associated with auto transport.
This blog aims to explore how car weight and size affect shipping costs, along with some additional information that’s worth knowing. So, let’s get started!
Impact of Car Size on Shipping Costs
It's important to note that car size has a significant impact on shipping costs. In the logistics of vehicle transportation, this relationship can be understood through several key factors:
Volume & Space Utilization
Larger vehicles occupy more space on a transport carrier, limiting the number of vehicles that can be shipped simultaneously. This reduced efficiency often leads to higher costs per vehicle.
Specialized Equipment
Oversized vehicles, such as extended trucks or vans, might require specialized equipment for safe loading and unloading. This can lead to additional shipping vehicles cost, which are typically passed on to the final quotes you receive.
Complex Loading & Handling
The process of loading and securing larger vehicles on a transport carrier is often more complex and time-consuming. This challenge can translate into higher labor costs, which are factored into the overall shipping expenses.
Customization Needs
Larger or uniquely shaped vehicles may require custom solutions for transportation. For instance, a vehicle with an unconventional shape or size might not fit properly in a standard shipping slot. This may require a customized transport plan, adding more to the vehicle shipping rates.
Increased Toll Charges
In some cases, larger vehicles are subject to higher toll charges on highways and bridges. And guess what? You will need to pay for these taxes with the auto transport fees.
Role of Vehicle Weight in Shipping Costs
The weight of a vehicle is a crucial factor that significantly influences the overall expenses when you want to ship a car to another state or even across a shorter distance. This impact is primarily due to several key reasons, including:
Fuel Consumption
Heavier vehicles require more energy to move, which translates into higher fuel consumption for the transport carrier. As a result, this increased fuel usage is typically passed on to the customer in the form of higher vehicle shipping rates.
Wear & Tear on Transport Equipment
Heavy-weighted vehicles exert more stress on the transport carrier's equipment, including trailers and securing devices. This may lead to increased wear and tear, adding higher maintenance costs for the carrier, which may be reflected in the shipping charges.
Capacity Constraints
Transport carriers have weight limits for safety and regulatory compliance. Heavier vehicles consume more of this allowance, potentially reducing the number of vehicles that can be transported simultaneously. And guess what? The reduced efficiency leads to higher costs per vehicle.
Route Limitations
Larger cars may restrict the routes that can be used for transportation. Some roads and bridges have limitations on the weight of the vehicles they can handle. As a result, the transporter might take a longer or more complex road for shipment, which can increase the overall vehicle transportation costs.
Insurance Costs
The cost to insure the transportation of heavier vehicles is often higher due to the increased value and risk associated with transporting heavier loads. This is typically factored into the overall shipping cost.
How to Prepare Larger Vehicles for Shipping?
Ready to transport your oversized vehicle? Well, before you do so, preparing it for shipping is essential to ensure safe and expedited auto transport. Here are some tips to help you through this process:
- Clean the Vehicle: Ensure your car is thoroughly cleaned. This makes it easier to identify any existing damage during the pre-shipment inspection.
- Document Pre-existing Damage: Take photos and make notes of any scratches, dents, or other marks before shipping.
- Secure Loose Items: Remove or secure any loose items inside the vehicle to prevent damage during transport.
- Check Fluids and Battery: Make sure all vehicle fluids, like engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, etc., are at appropriate levels and the battery is charged.
- Disable Alarms: Turn off any installed alarm systems to avoid unnecessary triggers during transit.
- Lock the Vehicle: Once loaded onto the carrier, lock the vehicle for added security.
- Provide Instructions for Special Care: If your car requires special handling, inform the shipping company in advance.
- Keep a Quarter Tank of Gas: A quarter tank of gas is sufficient for loading and unloading. Do not overfill it, as it adds significant weight, adding to the overall shipping costs.
4 Tips to Reduce Costs Associated With Auto Transport
According to MarketWatch, the average auto transport cost for over 500 miles is $893. And if you’re transporting an oversized vehicle, this can boost up significantly. But don’t worry; here are some tips to reduce the expenses associated with heavy vehicles, especially for cross-country car shipping:
- Choose Open Transport: Choose open auto carriers as open car shipping rates are generally cheaper when compared to enclosed car shipping rates. Moreover, they are also readily available, further contributing to the reduced amount.
- Flexible Timing: Be flexible with shipping dates. Off-peak seasons or times can offer lower rates.
- Consolidate Shipments: If possible, merge the shipping of multiple vehicles to save some amount on per-unit costs.
- Compare Quotes: Explore around and compare quotes from different transport companies for the best deal.
Nexus Auto Transport - Your Gateway to Hassle-Free Auto Transportation Services
To wrap it all up, the vehicle size affects shipping costs drastically, while its weight also has a significant role in determining the final quote. Whether you're considering transporting a compact sedan or a heavy-duty SUV, understanding how these factors impact the logistics and expenses involved is crucial.
That said, if you’re in need of affordable yet reliable auto transport services, consider Nexus Auto Transport as your go-to vehicle transporter. With over 8 years of experience in shipping vehicles, we have honed our identity as one of the best auto transport companies.
Moreover, we offer a wide range of services like open auto transport, door-to-door auto transport, enclosed auto transport, and much more. This, in turn, ensures that the individual needs of each and every customer is accommodated. So don’t wait; use our car shipping calculator now to get an immediate quote and enjoy a hassle-free auto shipping experience.
