Shipping A Car Cross Country

Moving: some love it, some hate it. And fortunately (or luckily, for some) we all end up doing it at some point in our lives. Whether you’re moving for a new home, a new job, or just a new adventure, moving successfully is a skill that some must master early in their lives.

One aspect many don’t consider when making a big move across country is what to do with their car. The task sounds simple enough – get your car or vehicle from point A to point B. However, there are a lot of factors to consider when shipping a car that can impact the ultimate cost and amount of time, hassle, and energy needed to make the move. Below are some important tips to keep in mind while you decide if – and how – you’ll ship your car when you move across country.

Know the distance for shipping a car

The first and foremost things to consider is the distance of the move. This variable will have the most dramatic effect on the cost to move your car. It will also affect the methods of transporting the vehicle based on the car’s ability.

In some cases, it might be easier to just drive the car yourself. In others, paying an upfront cost for a transportation service may make more sense. Every situation is different.

For instance, if you are relocating from coast to coast, driving to your new home for days at a time may not be worth it.  If you are just moving across the state, or even a state or two away, driving yourself could save you a decent amount of cash.

Of course, if the car is older, driving larger distances or on difficult roads may make driving the car yourself out of the question. In these situations, paying for the car to be shipped may be your best bet.

Check in with the DMV about car shipping

Typically, when you move to a new state, the local DMV will require you to fill out paperwork right away. Every state has different rules and stipulations, and its important to know all of the laws to drive legally.

For example, some states may require you to register your car right away. They may also require you to sign up for a state license immediately. Go online or call to find out everything you may need to do to accomplish these tasks, including taking new tests or bringing identification and certificates. This way you can eliminate any chances of getting easily avoidable tickets.

Look into insurance policies for auto transport

Insurance is another factor to consider when moving. Some agencies do not offer coverage in every state, so it’s important to know your current agency’s regulations. Make an appointment and talk to your agent to find out if you will need to find a new policy once you move.

Another reason to contact your agency is to prepare for any mishaps that may occur during the move. Notifying your agency will prepare you for any potential hiccups, accidents, damages, or even possible thefts. Your insurance agent will be able to fill you in on possible risks and ways to ensure coverage for them.

Find a car shipping company

Shipping a car via truck is one of the more common ways people go about relocating their vehicles. The cost of shipping a car using a truck service depends on a number of factors, such as:

• the type of car
• the car’s condition
• the distance to be traveled
• the time of the year
• the start and finish locations.

Shipping a car on the back of a semi-truck can be daunting, but it often the best idea. When selecting a car shipping company to give you a hand, be sure to call ahead to get a quote and a rundown on the company’s shipping policy. Knowing how the system works will alleviate a large amount of stress on moving day.

One factor many are not aware of while shipping cars with a auto transport company is weight restrictions. Due to insurance policies, many companies are very strict about the weight of each vehicle they are transporting. That means that packing the car with personal items that need to be moved is not an option. However, many companies offer up to 50 extra pounds per vehicle, so your space is not completely lost.

These weight restrictions will also affect the price of the transportation. Bigger cars like a Forrester will cost a little more, while compact cars like a Lancer will have a smaller fee. Regardless of the vehicle’s size, the car shipping company will use a number of straps and pulleys to ensure that your car is safe and sound.

Move the car yourself

In theory, driving yourself may seem like the cheapest option. However, there are factors that will affect the true price of driving you car across country yourself, such as:

• Driving time
• the type of car
• the car’s condition
• the distance to be traveled
• the time of the year

Technically, driving 3,000 miles can be done in just 48 hours nonstop. This can be done with the help of a copilot, but is highly discouraged. Having a partner is great for rotating shifts, but realistically the drive should have plenty of rest stops.

If you choose to drive and have scheduled rest stops along the way, outside costs will begin to add to your total. Motels and meals can get pricey on the road, and could end up costing you hundred more.

Of course, the biggest factor to keep in mind is the condition of the car. If your car is old or not mechanically sound, hitting the road may not be the best idea. Be sure to take your car into the mechanics for a full checkup before you leave, and be well stocked with emergency supplies.

On the other hand, if your car is not good enough to make the trip, you may want to consider if it can survive its new home. It may be cheaper in the long run to sell the car and invest in a new one once you have completely moved.

If you decide to keep your car despite its inability to drive to a far destination, renting a tow dolly for the back of a moving truck is another option. Towing your car will lift the front tires and pull the rest of the car along the highway. However, this still runs the risk of your car being damaged by wear and tear or road conditions.

Moving across country is never easy, and a car certainly complicates matters. Whether you’re driving yourself or hiring professionals to help, remember to your research.

The post Shipping A Car Cross Country appeared first on moveON moving.

source https://www.moveonmoving.com/shipping-car-cross-country/

How to Ship a Motorcycle

According to the most recent survey done by the Department of Transportation in 2011, there were more than 8 million motorcycles registered in the United States. This includes both private owners and commercial organizations. That means there is at least 1 motorcycle owner out of 36 Americans in the country.

Now some people might think it’s more practical to ride their motorcycles than to have it shipped, especially when they’re relocating. However, the truth is, considering the cost of gas, food and other travel expenses, it’s definitely much more economical to hire a professional specialized shipping company or a full-service moving company to do this stressful work.

There are several reasons why someone would do this, but the most common is relocation. Since they need to take care of a lot of things during the move, opting to hire a motorcycle transport company is the best option for them. Imagine the preparation that you need to do when you’re planning to move. You won’t have that much time to go out and ride your bike to your new location. Plus, you have work and your family to think about.

Other reasons would include delivering the motorbikes to buyers or sellers, bringing them on a vacation and attending motorcycle events and rallies. Furthermore, those who own luxury or vintage motorbikes would do this to avoid adding miles on the odometer.

Whatever the reason is, there are many things one must consider first before deciding to ship their precious motorcycles to their new place.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Motorcycle?

Using a motorcycle shipping calculator online is the easiest way to know how much it costs to ship a motorcycle within the U.S continent. However, to give you an idea, the average cost to ship a motorcycle over 1,000 mile range from $350 to $700. For short distance travel, the cost ranges from $180 to $300. Meanwhile, the average per mile is around $0.50 for trips of about 1,000 miles.

These are some factors that may affect the total cost of your motorcycle shipment:

• Motorcycle size and weight – Regular rates can cost around $0.50 per pound, though there are others that can charge less than this. The size and weight of your bike can definitely affect the cost of shipping, because there are transport companies that calculate the cost of insurance by weight. Simply put, lightweight, easy to manage motorcycles costs less than the bulky, Harley Davidsons type. This means, you can expect to be charged an additional fee for shipping big motorcycles.
• Why is this? Keep in mind that shipping large bikes would also require using oversized crates, tie downs and other special packing materials to ensure its safety and condition.
• Transport distance – Some full-service shipping companies provide their clients with affordable deals as long as their pickup point is within a certain range. This means the closer the distance, the cheaper it is and vice versa. The proximity of the pickup and drop-off location to major highways is also another big consideration. In shipping to remote or hard to reach areas, additional charges may be applied. Remember, charges may vary depending solely on the transport company, so don’t forget to ask them about this information beforehand.
• Location of Pick-Up and Drop-Off – In general, it’s cheaper to ship a motorbike within an urban area than in rural or remote areas, especially for door-to-door service.
• Open VS Enclosed Transport – Basically, there two ways to ship your motorbike. Either through open and enclosed carriers. An open carrier means your motorbike may share the shipping truck with a few other vehicles and they will be openly exposed to the elements for the entire journey. On the other hand, enclosed carrier means the item will stay inside the truck or in its own container, safe from any outside elements. Of course, enclosed or closed transport costs a lot more than open transport. Think about this carefully before choosing which method to use.
• Generally speaking, open motorcycle transport works for 8 out of 10 customers. However, there are some cases when enclosed motorcycle shipping is highly recommended. For example, if you want to ship a luxurious Harley Davidson Cosmic Starship or a vintage 1939 BMW RS255 Kompressor, getting them shipped via enclosed carrier is definitely a must if you want to protect their condition.
• Season or Time of the Year – Seasonal demand can also affect the cost of motorcycle shipment, though not as much. For example, a customer would request to ship their motorbike using enclosed shipping during winter time. We know that the weather in this season is not that favorable, so it is common sense to get enclosed transport. However, this would cost a lot, more specifically, around $150 more than a non-enclosed transport shipped during spring.
  Most of the time, the quote these transport service providers give their customers already covers all of the important details of the entire shipping process. This includes loading, unloading, insurance costs and transit plus taxes, if necessary.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Luxury and Vintage Motorcycles?

There are no special rates for transporting luxury and vintage motorcycles. However, several owners would opt to pay for enclosed shipping because it provides their motorbikes with maximum safety and protection. Like previously mentioned, others would choose to ship their motorbikes to avoid putting miles on its odometer. For those who’d like to send out their vintage or luxury bikes within the U.S via enclosed transport, the average cost that they’ll pay is around $800.

Extra Costs and Expenses

• Motorcycle shipping Insurance coverage – like what was mentioned above, other shipping companies will compute this via size and weight.
• Surcharges for Fuel Cost – the closer the location, the cheaper the fuel costs and vice versa.
• Failed delivery attempt – in case of a failed delivery, additional charges may be applied which is around $200 or more.
• Door-to-Door service VS Pick-up and Drop-off at a Convenient Location – Door-to-Door service is recommended if you live in a wide, spacious neighborhood that’s free from any obstruction (cable lines, etc.). Else, it’s much better to meet with the shipping company at a more accessible location so you can avoid getting charged an extra fee for the pickup.
• Additional space for sidecars, trailers and other attachments (accessories).
• Enclosed transport
• Express motorcycle transport

How to Ship Your Motorcycle

The best way to ship your motorbike is to choose a transport company that specializes in shipping motorcycles or motorbikes. Keep in mind that it’s important to do your research first and look into at least 3 to 5 companies. Ask for sample quotations and compare them with one another. Also, don’t forget to ask for any additional costs or surcharges or even discounts and promotional deals. Don’t be afraid to take your time. Another way is to ask someone you know for recommendations and referrals.

Once you’ve done your homework, you can now schedule the pick-up and drop-off date plus other details with your chosen transport service provider to get the final quote. If you agree with the price, terms and conditions, then book the shipment and prepare the payment. It’s crucial to stay in touch with your shipping company and make sure everything is settled before the shipment to avoid any inconvenience.

How Long Does it Take to Ship a Motorcycle?

Usually, the average delivery time is about two weeks to a month depending on the drop-off location. For most transport companies, the available pick-up date is 2-7 business days after the customer places an order. Then, the actual shipment takes around 1 to 6 calendar days after the motorbike is picked up. However, for express motorcycle transport, the first pick-up date is usually available within 24-72 hours.

Take this into consideration when planning for your move.

Additional Shipping Tips

Now that you’ve got an idea about how much it costs to ship a motorcycle within the U.S, here are a few more tips for you.

• Make a decision whether to use open carrier or enclosed shipping. Consider the season, the condition of your motorbike and the drop-off location. For longer distances (500 miles or more), it’s recommended to go with enclosed shipping for better protection.
• Understand what door-to-door transport means.
• Prepare your motorbike for shipping by giving it a good and thorough cleanup. Also, take note of any existing scratches, dents, marks or damages. It’s better to take a picture of your motorbike so you’ll have proof in case something happens during shipment. This will make your insurance claims easier.
• Remove any personal items or belongings and deactivate any alarms so it would not cause any problems during shipment.
• Check the tires to see if they’re adequately inflated.
• Put the motorcycle in neutral. Do this to prevent any accidents.
• If you’ll be using crates for shipping, don’t forget to drain the gas tank first and take out the battery. Remember, crates are made of wood and therefore highly flammable. Even a slight gas leak would cause a huge accident.
• At the drop-off site, prepare everything you need like payment, etc. Once the motorbike arrives to its destination, don’t forget to carefully check it for any damage. Compare the pictures you took prior to the shipping. In case of a dispute or claim, coordinate with your transport service provider, and follow their instructions on how to file for a complaint. Insurance claims normally take around a couple of weeks to be reviewed and settled.

The post How to Ship a Motorcycle appeared first on moveON moving.

source https://www.moveonmoving.com/how-to-ship-a-motorcycle/