Shipping a car in Texas or any other state is expensive but it doesn’t have to be if you consider the factors that affect costs. While the Lone Star state doesn’t exactly have a high cost of living, transporting your vehicle from there to another city or state will depend on the distance and several other factors.
Every car shipping company has specific requirements and methods of transporting vehicles, no matter the size, weight, or type. However, they all have one thing in common: they charge per mile and use an average price to calculate costs. The difference lies in what each client wants, especially when it comes to specific requirements. This article discusses factors that determine costs when shipping a car and how you can adjust the prices to fit into your budget.
1. Type of Car
One of the first reasons why shipping your car may be expensive is the type. Some cars are heavier than others, while some are luxury rides. When a shipping company knows the type of vehicle you plan to move, the basic cost offered during consultations may change. For example, if you want to transport a Ferrari, the total cost will be much higher than moving a regular car.
The same rule applies when transporting an antique vehicle; the team at the company will not handle it the same way they would others. Apart from expensive or antique cars, there is also the possibility that the design of the vehicle is unusual. Some modifications can change the look and feel of the vehicle, making it necessary to use special equipment and care to move it, even during the initial pickup.
The shipping service must consider the costs of these unique requirements when calculating your final price, so your budget should fit it. In this situation, consider using a shipping company, like RoadRunner Texas Auto Transport, that specializes in unique or expensive cars to ensure you get the best service. However, it doesn’t guarantee that the cost will be reduced.
2. Distance
A key cost-determining factor when transporting an automobile is the distance. As mentioned, companies calculate costs per mile. That means the farther the distance between the current location and the new location, the higher the price goes.
One way to reduce how much you pay is to pick a location within a major city or town closest to your new location as your destination. That should reduce the miles which the shipping company will cover, consequently reducing the costs for you. Another consideration to keep in mind when calculating costs based on distance is the location. This is somewhat different from the distance but works together with that factor.
For some, the location is remote and the team transporting the car may spend time and gas looking for remote places for delivery. Insisting on a home delivery in such a situation will cost more guaranteed. But if you opt for bmw service within a well-known location of the city for pickup, it will cost less. You can drive the vehicle the rest of the way to your destination.
3. Size and Weight
The size of a car will determine its weight and when combined, they can increase the costs of shipping. Suppose you have a regular truck which weighs between two and three tons. While it is the standard weight, it is still much larger than a regular sedan or hatchback. That will increase the price of shipping because the weight and cost consideration for a regular car and a pickup truck differs. That amount increases even more if the truck is customized.
Customization usually means the car is heavier and the size bigger. There is not much you can do to reduce the price when it comes to weight so you may have to consider other factors on this list if you want a lower estimate. Of course, commercial vehicles like trucks and semis have special transporting companies that specialize in that area and the costs are also very high. You can click here for some tips that can help you reduce the weight of your car.
4. Carrier Type
Every car shipping company uses two types of carriers: open and enclosed. An open carrier doesn’t have any cover to protect the vehicles during transportation and this largely reduces the costs. Most customers prefer this method because it’s easy on their pockets. But that also means the automobiles are open to the elements and dangers of the road during transport, which can be dangerous.
Then, there’s the enclosed carrier, which uses protection for the cars during transport. This type costs a bit more than an open one because of the precautions which the company puts in place to protect the shipment. Owners of expensive, antique or precious cars typically pick this carrier type for the added protection. Using an open carrier is ideal for saving costs.
5. Season of the Year
Car shipping is a thriving industry but it has off-peak times like everything else. If you are planning to move your automobile, consider the time of the year. Peak seasons are between the months of May and October, while off-peak periods are between the months of November and March.
If you want to cut costs, book and ship the car in the winter because there is no high demand and you’ll get lower costs. However, keep in mind the shipping hazards of such time of the year; it might take longer than usual to receive your goods because of weather issues. Texas doesn’t usually have severe winter seasons but the new location might.
Still, this season significantly reduces the costs. It is a good time to check out this resource: https://www.rmets.org/ to understand how winter weather can affect transportation.
Conclusion
Shipping a car in Texas is easy and smooth. While there’s an average per-mile cost, you must consider several factors that may increase the estimate, including distance, location, season of the year, carrier type, and type of car. Pick a time when there is no high demand and ensure the location is not remote, whether for pickup or delivery.
Also, choose an open carrier as it costs less than an enclosed one and plan to collect the vehicle from the company’s office or somewhere within the city instead of having it delivered to your home. These and a few other steps can significantly reduce the costs.
