Properly Packing for Vehicle Shipping

Properly Packing for Vehicle Shipping

When preparing for vehicle shipping, many factors must be considered. One is packing the vehicle with your belongings. From what to pack – and what not to pack – to belongings that should never leave your sight, to those that you can do without for the duration of the transit time, planning ahead can help avoid chaos and confusion.

Most Vehicle Shipping Companies don’t want anything in the car.

PackedvehicleBut, it is common sense to think if you’re shipping a car, why not ship things you need for your destination in it.  If you plan to ship your car, contact your vehicle shipping company before packing anything.   Different companies have different policies when it comes to what you can and can’t leave in your car during transit. No one knows how to pack a car better than your vehicle transport company; it’s their job, after all.  Inquiring about weight limits is very important. You don’t want to pack your car to the top just to find out you’re hundreds of pounds over limit. This could cost you extra, delay your shipment, or both.   Keep in mind, each hauler (the truck a vehicle shipping company will put your vehicle on) has weight requirements to operate safely on the road, and they usually have more than just your car on a load.  So, pay attention to what you’re putting in your car if the carrier allows you. You might think you’ve packed nothing at all, but even small items can push you over a weight limit.  Goods like TVs, furniture, free weights, or other heavy or bulky items should be

avoided when packing your car for vehicle transport.

When your vehicle is awaiting transport or pick-up, theft is possible. Theft is more likely to happen to you if you have items in plain sight or noticeable through the windows. This could entice a thief. You shouldn’t only worry about losing your items; breaking the windows and doors will make for a costly replacement, and expose your vehicle’s interior to the elements during transit. Make sure everything you keep in your car is hidden in the glove compartments, under the seats, and in your trunk. Use blankets or towels to cover belongings.
If you decide to leave belongings in your car, pack them tightly to avoid damage during transit.  When your car is moving around, items can fall over or collide with each other, resulting in breakage, spillage, or other damage. Left to jumble about, you could be replacing items or cleaning your vehicle when you finally get back to your car at the destination.

What should not go in the car during vehicle shipping? Personal identification, like a driver’s license, passports, social security cards, or other hard-to- replace documents, as well as those that are irreplaceable, like family heirlooms.
Contact your homeowners or auto insurance company about additional coverage in case of theft, fire or accident. Before dropping off your car, inventory any valuables you pack in the vehicle and keep that record throughout the process. Insurance will lend peace of mind, and if items are damaged or destroyed in transit, this record will save a lot of stress in the claims process.

Before dropping off your car, make sure you have at least a quarter tank of gas. You never know how close the nearest gas station will be to the drop-off site. Contact your carrier, as some carriers will have a recommended fuel level or know how far a station will be to the drop-off site.

ShipYourCarNow.com or most any carrier is not responsible for any broken or stolen items during transit. Again it is recommended that you leave nothing in your car at all, to ensure the most safety possible. Our job is to get your car safely from one place to another. By packing your car correctly, that’s just one way to help this process go as smooth as possible.

Words by: Zoe Zbar