Your prized BMW M3. Your classic ’68 Mustang. That specialty van you use for your mobile pet grooming business. You’d park them in your garage at home to protect them, right? So why expose them out on the highways during transport? Enclosed auto shipping offers a safe, worry-free way to transport your valuable vehicles – no worrying about road debris, bugs, storms, or even minor fender benders.
What is Enclosed Auto Transport?
Basically, enclosed transport is when your vehicle gets shipped inside of a covered trailer instead of on an open carrier transport truck. This enclosed trailer looks similar to a box truck with ramps for loading and unloading cars. It protects your vehicle from the elements and any road debris or highway mishaps during transit.
Open auto carriers are pretty standard for most vehicle shipping nowadays – convenient and economical for transporting everyday vehicles. But for specialty cars, vintage classics, high-performance sports cars, exotics, or any vehicle you want extra secure transit for, enclosed auto transport is the preferred choice.
With enclosed auto transport service, your precious cargo gets cocooned inside a shell most of the drive. Once loaded, the trailer doors are securely closed to safely seal the vehicle in until delivery. Some enclosed trailers allow you to ship multiple vehicles, but others are designed just for single-car transport for true white glove service.
Most reputable transport companies offer enclosed car transport options. But top-notch enclosed transport services like Shipaa have modern trailers with smooth suspensions, so your vehicle avoids bumps and jostles on the roads. Gentle handling and tie-down procedures prevent exterior damage. And experienced transporters know how to position weight distribution correctly and how to load vehicles of different sizes together inside trailers.
While enclosed shipping is a higher-cost service, it’s often money well spent for certain vehicles. The extra level of protection and security provides major peace of mind for many car owners during transit!
When to Use Enclosed Auto Shipping
Enclosed auto transport isn’t necessarily practical or economical for hauling normal everyday vehicles. But there are plenty of situations where the extra protection and security make complete sense.
Vintage and Classic Cars
For older collectible cars, especially those 50+ years old, an enclosed trailer ensures gentle handling so no new nicks or dings occur in transit. Enclosed protects delicate chrome and ensures vintage leather interiors don’t get damaged.
Race and High-Performance Cars
Any highly specialized performance vehicle like Ford GTs, souped-up Subarus, or track-ready Mazda Miatas all need enclosed shipping. Their aerodynamic exteriors and ground effects can’t risk scraping on loading equipment of open carriers.
Exotic and Luxury Models
From Bentleys to Bugattis, fancy cars deserve enclosed pampering door-to-door. Their painstaking custom paint jobs stay pristine without worrying about debris kicks, bugs, or road salt spraying classic coats on long hauls.
Special Use Vehicles
Need to transport specialty vehicles cross-country, like mobile dog grooming vans, tiny home trailers, food trucks, or construction equipment? Enclosed shipping provides safe, reliable transit without performance compromises.
Valuable Vehicles
For any very valuable vehicle, like a $2,500,000 Ferrari F40 with low production numbers, it’s smart to protect the investment with enclosed shipping to prevent any damage depreciation.
Seasonal Vehicles
Snowbirds needing to transport those desert toys, like boats, RVs, and ATVs, can do so damage-free with enclosed auto shipping. It securely transports vehicles that may sit unused for part of the year.
In general, if your vehicle itself is a special treasure you want to be protected or it would be hard to replace if damaged, enclosed vehicle transport is the smartest choice.
Open vs Enclosed: Key Differences in Auto Shipping Methods
When choosing a transport carrier, one of the first decisions is whether you want open auto transport or enclosed vehicle transport. What are the key differences, and when is each one the better choice?
Protection Level
This one’s straightforward. Open car carriers leave vehicles exposed on both sides and the top during transit. Enclosed trailers fully seal vehicles inside, away from weather and road conditions. Enclosed shipping provides maximum protection against damage for delicate, valuable, or specialty vehicles.
Accessibility
Open auto transport can accommodate more vehicles at once – usually 8-10 cars. Enclosed trailers range from holding 1-4 vehicles inside. So enclosed car shipping capacity is more limited. During peak seasons like summer for cars heading to tracks or winter in snowbird regions, enclosed transport books up faster.
Cost Differences
Not surprisingly, fully enclosed transport costs more than open shipping. You’re reserving more confined space, and vehicles don’t share transit space. Cross-country enclosed rates often run 25-50% higher than open transport. It’s a premium service requiring specialized trailers but provides peace of mind for valuable vehicle transport.
Ideal Vehicle Types
Enclosed auto transport companies market primarily to specialty, vintage, high-end, or classic vehicles. Everyday family sedans and trucks commonly ship via open carriers. But classics like Duesenbergs, performance cars heading to events, or six-figure exotics need the enclosed pampering to prevent any exterior damage in transit.
Service Levels
Both open and enclosed vehicle shipping can vary greatly in reliability, equipment, and service. Like anything, you get what you pay for. High-end enclosed car transport services like Shipaa cater to pampering exotic, vintage, or prize vehicles door-to-door in dust-free, climate-controlled trailers. Basic enclosed transport just secures vehicles inside trailers.
So consider how much of the added protection your vehicle needs when pricing enclosed vs open auto transport. Enclosed auto transport makes sense for delicate, rare, or very valuable vehicles that owners want to be transported safely without damage worries. Open shipping works affordably for basic transportation needs.
How Much Does Enclosed Car Transport Cost?
What can you expect to pay for enclosed vehicle transport compared to standard open auto shipping? There’s no getting around it – enclosing your vehicle does add a cost premium. But exact pricing depends on a variety of factors.
For starters, enclosed trailers have lower cargo capacity than open trailers. Where open trailers often transport 8-10 vehicles at once, most enclosed trailers max out at 2-4. A few high-end models even offer single-car transport with no other vehicles to allow true white glove service. So, your pricing per vehicle runs higher.
Transport distance plays a major cost factor, too. Like other auto shipping, enclosed car transport base rates often cover around 500-600 miles included. Then, per-mile overage charges apply beyond that base. And extra surcharges add fixed costs for pickup and delivery services. So the longer the transport distance, the higher your overall rate.
| Distance | Open Car Transport Cost | Enclosed Car Transport Cost | Average Cost |
| <500 miles | $630 | $930 | $780 |
| 1,000-1,500 miles | $1,070 | $1,510 | $1,290 |
| >2,500 miles | $1,350 | $1,830 | $1,590 |
Regional locations can bump pricing, too. Cross-country enclosed car transport cost often averages $800-$1,200 for basic enclosed transport. But hauling cars to certain metro areas gets more competitive and expensive. Enclosed car shipping to places like Florida, Arizona, and California often runs $1,000-$1,600 since so many classics get trailered to year-round weather locales.
Enclosed auto transport companies post rates on their websites, but the wide range leaves questions. The year, make, and model of your ride matter since larger vehicles need more trailer space. Special equipment requests, like dual wheel tracks for race cars or winches for inoperable vehicles, add fees, too.
And not all enclosed car carriers offer equivalent service. Shipaa’s trailers pamper vehicles in dust-free, climate-controlled environments while others just secure the cargo. Request free quotes from Shipaa’s enclosed transport services to see current pricing specific to your vehicle’s needs. And prepare for premium transit – but ultimate peace of mind – moving your special vehicles safely coast-to-coast.
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Enclosed Car Transport Quote
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Check the priceWhy Ship with Shipaa’s Enclosed Service
Experienced Enclosed Car Haulers
Our drivers are professionals specially trained in handling high-value specialty vehicles. Strict procedures for safe equipment operation, gentle loading/unloading, and proper tie-down protect exterior conditions.
Late Model Enclosed Trailers
We continually invest in modern enclosed trailers, including aluminum car haulers, turtle-top glass carriers, and self-loading trailers to protect vehicles in stable, damage-resistant conditions.
Ideal Equipment for Specialty Vehicles
For specialty cars, we transport in premium trailers like soft-ride air rides or self-loading trailers with adjustable foam blocks & custom tie-down straps to prevent movement while climate control maintains ideal temperatures.
Direct Support Throughout the Process
A dedicated transport logistics pro oversees your shipment from the initial quote request through delivery confirmation. Proactive communication via calls, texts, and email updates gives you complete visibility and priority support.
Vetted Network of Transport Partners
We thoroughly vet and audit the haulers in our network specializing in enclosed shipping. Strict criteria for safety ratings, driving records, and specialty car handling experience ensure trusted professionals care for vehicles.
Covered Loss & Insurance Protection
All Shipaa enclosed transport includes basic cargo insurance. We also offer specialty collectors insurance for coverage gaps so you can ship with minimal damage worries.
Enclosed Car Shipping FAQ
❓ Is enclosed car transport worth it?
Enclosed car transport is generally worth it for someone shipping high-value, classic, or exotic vehicles that require extra protection during transport. While it’s more expensive than open transport, the added safety and convenience of an enclosed car transport trailer are often worth the additional cost.
❓ Should I ship the car open or enclosed?
The decision to ship a car open or enclosed depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are going to ship a high-value, classic, or exotic vehicle, or simply want the added protection and security of an enclosed car transport option, then covered car shipping may be the better choice. Opt for the budget-friendly open transport option if you are shipping a standard, everyday vehicle, and the lower shipping cost is essential to you.
❓ What are the disadvantages of enclosed auto carriers?
One of the main disadvantages of enclosed auto shippers is their cost, as they are generally more expensive than open transport. Additionally, their limited availability may make enclosed car carriers more challenging to find and book.
❓ How long does enclosed car transportation take?
The time it takes for enclosed vehicle transportation to be completed varies depending on the distance and the specific route. On average, transporting a vehicle within the United States takes between 3-7 days, although this timeframe can be shorter or longer depending on the specific circumstances.