Most people prefer and use open-air carrier trailers to transport their vehicles. The same cannot be said about the enclosed option as just 1 out of 10 people in need of auto transport service resort to using this option. As a result, not too many people know how enclosed auto transport works.
Knowledge of how it works is important for several reasons. For one, it ensures that people who want or need to use this option, know how well to prepare. Particularly for this reason, how enclosed car transport works will be discussed here in this article.
Expected Procedures with Enclosed Auto Transport
There are expected procedures to be followed when shipping a car with this method. Auto transport service providers that do not follow all of these procedures are questionable and should be seen in that light. These enclosed auto transport procedures include the following:
Initial Inspection
One of the things that a good company in this line of work would want to avoid is arguments with clients. Arguments could happen when there are conflicting reports between the company and its clients on the state of the vehicle before it was shipped.
An inspection is needed to ensure that this does not happen. Other than having the inspection carried out for this reason, it is just a professional thing to do.
Filing Bill of Lading
The Bill of Lading is an important document used in the auto transport industry. So, it is not just peculiar to the enclosed carrier option but all auto shipping services.
This document is supposed to have a report of the state of the vehicle before it is shipped. Besides having a detailed report of the vehicle’s state and shape, some of the other details in a Bill of Lading include the:
- Client’s name
- Shipper’s name and addresses
- Recipient’s name
- Date of shipment
- Shipment’s value
- Shipment’s weight
- Freight classification
- Shipment’s quantity
These are most of the details expected to be in this important document. For more information about this document, you can check: https://en.wikipedia.org/.
Also worth knowing is that this document should be signed by the client as well. The ideal thing to do is to check for the accuracy of the details in this document before signing it. This is to be certain that nothing is mistakenly reported, or that there is any foul play.
Some companies have been discovered to charge clients before the Bill of Lading is finally sorted out. However, this is not the professional thing to do. The right and professional thing to do would be to charge a portion of the cost at this stage. The complete payment is supposed to be made after the vehicle has been satisfactorily delivered.
Enclosed Trailer Loading
The next step after the Bill of Lading has been sorted out would be loading up the enclosed trailer. This could be immediately or after a while, depending on when the vehicle(s) are to be shipped.
The goal is not just to have the vehicles loaded up but done securely. Various lever-designed equipment will be used for this purpose. More often than not, the common ones are lift gates and ramps. Chains and straps are also used to prevent movements while the vehicles are being shipped.
Final Inspection
The agreed receiver of the vehicle (which could also be the client) would carry out a final inspection after its delivery. This is whether the delivery is at the shipping company’s terminal or any other agreed pickup location.
This final inspection would be guided by the Bill of Lading. Once again, this goes to show how important this document is and why serious attention should be paid to properly filing it. Once the recipient affirms that the vehicle is in the right state and shape, complete payment is to be made before the vehicle can be taken away.
Tracking Is a Possibility
The aforementioned are standard procedures for enclosed auto transportation. However, it can also be possible to track the vehicle as it is being shipped. This point was not listed among the ones above because some auto-shipping companies do not offer it.
However, it is advised that you engage the services of a shipping company that can offer this. By doing so, you get to know how soon or fast your vehicle will arrive. You can read this article if you would like to find out how cars can be tracked.
Conclusion
Knowledge of these expected procedures will ensure that clients prepare well for enclosed auto shipping. On that note, some tips to properly prepare for enclosed auto shipping include taking out all personal belongings, ensuring that your vehicle is operable, and going through the details of the bill of lading to be sure everything is documented.
It is also important to hire a good shipping company that handles enclosed auto transport for the task. This way, you would rest assured that your vehicle will be safely and properly delivered.