Getting the Most When Shipping an Oversize Vehicle

When we talk about oversized vehicle shipping, it is a bit more complicated than regular auto shipping. If you need to move a commercial van, or a heavy pick-up truck across the United States, well, it can be a hassle depending on its type and shipping location.

That’s why US Car-Go Freight is going to break down the process of shipping an oversized vehicle in this blog. So read on to know what you can expect when shipping an oversized vehicle.

What’s Considered an Oversized Vehicle?

An oversized vehicle is described as any type of vehicle that is larger than the factory standard car, SUV, or pickup truck.

Some of the oversized vehicles that can be shipped include the following:

● Commercial vans

● Heavy-duty pickups

● Buses, garbage/dump trucks

● Recreational vehicles (RVs)

● Sprinter or transit vans

It also includes vehicles with roof racks, SUVs with trailer hitches, and trucks with large tires or lifts. All these factors affect how the vehicle sits on the trailer and can make shipping more difficult.

Planning to Ship an Oversized Vehicle

Here are a few things to consider before shipping an oversized vehicle:

Plan Ahead

Take some time to plan ahead when you want to ship an oversized vehicle. You need to take into consideration things like safety regulations, travel time, and loading time. 

For example, oversized vehicles may need to be transported on a flatbed trailer, and the transport truck may only be able to carry a single vehicle. Not to mention the time it takes to load and unload oversized vehicles.

Budget Accordingly

Be prepared to pay more than you would for standard auto shipping. Regular auto-shipping trailers can carry up to 9 vehicles at once, which means the cost per vehicle is lower. 

But oversized vehicles can only be shipped individually, the cost is higher, which increases the shipping price. Also, there is no high demand for oversized vehicle shipping, making the shipping price go higher.

Tips For Oversized Vehicle Shipping

When transporting an oversized vehicle, follow these tips to ensure a smooth delivery:

Be prepared

Make sure all your vehicle papers are ready so that the shipping company can quickly find a suitable transport vehicle. Additionally, everything in your vehicle must be operating as it should be and alert your transport company of any problems.

Clean the Vehicle

Before shipping your vehicle, an inspector will look it over to see any pre-existing damage. This can take a lot longer if your vehicle is dirty.

Remove all personal items from the vehicle as the company isn’t responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal belongings.

Choose a Suitable Location

Choose a pickup and drop-off location with sufficient space to accommodate the large transport vehicle.

Why Do Oversized Vehicles Need Special Accommodations?

The auto transport industry qualifies some vehicles as oversized to help regulate the loads on their trucks and ensure the safety of all the vehicles on board.

Auto shipping companies must meet a 13’ 6” height requirement, which ensures the truck will not encounter any problems with overpasses. Also, trucks with oversized tires may require special accommodations to ensure they fit on the trailer properly.

Why is There a Cost Difference for Shipping Oversized Vehicles?

Shipping an oversized vehicle will come with additional costs; however, the prices vary greatly depending on the season, industry state, driver and carrier’s capacity, and market rates.

The good news is that even if a vehicle has to take up two spaces on a trailer, you won’t be expected to pay for both spaces. Instead, the standard fee will have a slight up-charge to cover the second space.

Many auto shipping companies charge around 30-40% more than the standard fee for shipping an oversized vehicle.

Why Should You Choose US Car-Go Freight?

At US Car-Go Freight, we have years of experience helping individuals and companies ship large equipment and oversized vehicles. Our drivers have experience shipping everything from golf carts to heavy construction equipment, so you can rest assured that your oversized vehicle will be in great hands.

Whether you’re looking to move a camper, an SUV with a roof rack, or specialized equipment, US Car-Go Freight can help you with oversized vehicle shipping across the USA and more.