Enclosed transport is also commonly called Covered Transport. This is the best option for vehicles that require extra attention and protection. They also have a higher motor cargo insurance coverage than other types of transport. They come in many configurations depending on your needs and preferences. This is a premium service and drivers specially qualified for exotics, classics, and other collector vehicles.
It is absolutely the safest way to ship a vehicle. Since your vehicle will travel inside the walls of a car carrier that is shielded from the outside world, it will be protected against all the elements. This is the opposite of open carrier transport. Enclosed car trailers come in different varieties. However, they all have one thing in common: They keep hour vehicle away from sunlight, rain, snow, hail, road dust, and more. As a result, the vehicle will arrive to you in the exact condition it was picked up.
Enclosed shipping will be more expensive than open. Roughly 30-60% more on average. To assist with helping you determine the cost, we have provided the following examples below. To find out your cost instantly, try our calculator.
Locations To/From | Sample Price Per Mile | Cost | Travel Time |
---|---|---|---|
Decatur, IN to Gulf Breeze, FL | $1.50 / mile | $1285 | 2 Days |
Cincinnati, OH to Dallas, TX | $1.16 / mile | $1100 | 2 Days |
Miami Beach, FL to Beverly Hills, CA | $0.73 /mile | $1990 | 5-7 Days |
Belton, MO to Tampa, FL | $1.23 /mile | $1560 | 3-4 Days |
Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX | $1.14 /mile | $1650 | 3-4 Days |
Beachwood, OH to Naples, FL | $1.10 /mile | $1400 | 3-4 Days |
Coral Gables, FL to Newport Beach, CA | $0.64 /mile | $1750 | 5-7 Days |
Our Enclosed carrier transport comes in 3 configurations that we will commonly use. These are soft side, hard side, and two-to-three car hard side enclosed.
The most common you may think of is the large and full-size tractor trailer with vehicles hidden inside. They look like a regular 18 wheeler but actually move very valuable cargo like fine luxury cars, exotic cars, and expensive motorcycles.
These are also called “hard side” enclosed trucks. This is actually referring to the type of trailer. This means the vehicles are sealed off from the world inside the trailer.
Soft-side enclosed trucks are the way in which most new luxury cars such as Lexus, Mercedes, and others head to sales lot. Although the tarps are tightly secured as seen here, some road dust can make its way in at highway speeds therefore slightly less appealing to the most meticulous shipper. The tarps themselves are extremely heavy and weatherproof. A large majority of enclosed shipping is done on these trucks.
Another hard side carrier available is the 2-3 car single level carriers. These are usually pulled by a dually truck like the one pictured here. These are great for classic vehicles, luxury sedans, and other vehicles that don’t have an ultra low clearance, although some have ramp wedges. These are also very handy for a non-running vehicle. For example, a project in the middle of restoration without glass or a top.