Anyone who drives a car knows that weather is always a factor. If a blizzard is in the forecast, for example, that can mean no driving at all or a trip delayed, even an important one.
Then there’s also dense fog, heavy rain with flooding potential, roads washed out, icy roads, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes -– Mother Nature has a lot to throw at the would-be traveler!
Professionals in the business of car & vehicle transportation face the same challenges but with a heightened sense of duty. That’s because they are driven (no pun intended) to deliver vehicles from Point A to Point B safely, securely and in perfect condition.
Key Weather Factors in Auto Transportation
Cost
It’s important to understand that shipping a number of vehicles tends to be more expensive at times of the year when the weather is expected to be at its worst. This, of course, varies from region to region.
Thus, vehicle shipping rates are affected by location and planned routes. Sometimes, an expected route must be scrapped for an alternative, less optimal route due to anticipated bad weather. This can generate higher fuel costs, longer distances, routes with more traffic congestion and more.
.
Vehicle Damage
Seasoned car transport professionals inform you that the chances of a vehicle being damaged in transport are exceedingly small. That doesn’t mean that some clients are eager to take all possible precautions.
The latter case is especially true with high-value vehicles, such as classic collector cars and super high-end expensive models, such as a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette or a fully restored vintage Rolls Royce.
The perfect solution in cases like these is enclosed car transport.
Enclosed car transport guarantees that nasty elements like hail, sleet, road debris, dust or even rain will have no chance to beat down on vehicles that simply must remain pristine. Open trailers are fine if there is a high degree of certainty about the time and route of transportation. In general, enclosed transport costs an average of 30% more, depending on the carrier company.
Summer vs Winter
At first glance, one might assume shipping cars in the winter would be more expensive because of the potential for blizzards, icy roads, sleet and other problems. However, winter is the slow time of year in the car transport industry. That drives prices down.
Carriers more often have an open space on a transport system during the winter. Professionals like to avoid what they call “deadheading” – transporting with a lot of empty space in a rig.
The downside of winter mostly involves a much higher potential for delay. On the other hand, driving in the winter is more dangerous than in summer. Letting a pro do the job means the car owner does not have to cope with winter driving dangers.
Summer, then, tends to mean higher rates because of higher demand. It’s not significantly higher, however. But with higher costs come several advantages, such as faster shipping, fewer problems along the way and easier weather conditions.
What the Client Can Do
Vehicle transport professionals are really good at what they do and know how to handle all kinds of weather contingencies.
Nevertheless, the vehicle owner can make some key decisions to ensure the best results. Plan, if possible, to ship during the time of year in your area where you know weather conditions are traditionally the most favorable.
Second, strongly weigh the option of enclosed carry vs. open carry. The former provided the highest level of safety and protection for a vehicle. It costs slightly more, but the peace of mind it engenders makes it worth it for most clients.
Finally, make sure your vehicle is well maintained.
Getting It Done
The U.S. is a vast nation that has all manner of climate conditions, from the freezing, snowy winters of the Midwest to the sweltering heat and pelting sandstorms of the desert Southeast.
Using common sense and choosing a reliable car transport service with an excellent track record will cope with what Mother Nature dishes out and get vehicles where they need to be safe and sound.