At the most basic, there are two types of vessels used to transport vehicles: open carriers and enclosed carriers. If it’s your first time to book auto shipping, it’s important to know the difference between the two types so you can choose what’s right for your vehicle. Our expert auto shipping technicians are here to explain your options and help you choose which method you’d like to use for your vehicle. Please call us today at 877-695-2203 to talk to one of our friendly staff members.

There are positive and negative points for each type of auto shipping. The following descriptions will help showcase the differences between open and enclosed auto shipping:

Open Carrier Auto Shipping

Open carriers are the most common way to transport vehicles – the familiar 10-car haulers that everyone associates with auto transportation. An open carrier leaves your vehicle exposed to the elements. Unlike enclosed carriers, there is little between the weather and the surface of your vehicle. In most cases, open carriers are most likely your best option for auto shipping.

The pros to open carriers are:

• More availability. Most auto shipping vessels are open carriers, so your odds of finding an available driver are much higher.
• Cheaper. More availability translates into prices that are cheaper than enclosed carriers.

The cons to open carriers are:

• Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements. We strive to ensure that your vehicle will arrive in the same condition you shipped it  in, it’s likely that your vehicle may have an accumulation of road dust at the time of delivery.
• You may have fluids leak onto your vehicle, depending on where your vehicle is loaded on the open carrier. Convertibles and vehicles with cloth tops are generally loaded on the top rack to avoid any issues with leaking fluids from cars above.

Enclosed Carrier Auto Shipping

While not as common as open carriers, enclosed carriers are a popular method for auto shipping. Vehicles loaded in enclosed carriers are not exposed to the elements, nor are they placed on two racks like the are in open carriers. If you’re looking to transport a high end vehicle, a low ground clearance vehicle, or a vehicle with an exposed interior, enclosed vehicle shipping will be the best option for you.

The pros to enclosed carriers are:

• Greater insurance coverage. Enclosed carriers often carry up to $250,000 or more of insurance per vehicle.
• Protection against the weather. Weather-related damage is generally not covered by the carrier’s insurance. Enclosed carriers will protect your vehicle from the weather.
• Can transport low clearance vehicles. Because they use scissor lifts rather than ramps, enclosed carriers can carry low clearance vehicles.

The cons to enclosed carriers are:

• Less availability. It usually takes longer to arrange auto shipping via enclosed carrier because there are less enclosed carriers. Shipping with an enclosed carrier generally requires more advanced notice to arrange transport.
• More expensive. Shipping your auto in an enclosed carrier can be as much as 50-100% more expensive than open carriers. Be sure you talk to one of our expert staff members to be sure that you’re not over-spending.