7 Tips To Prepare Your Car for Shipping Across the Country

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Preparing a car for shipping can be time-consuming and frustrating, but there are many things you can do to make it easier on yourself. Whether your vehicle will be shipped locally or across the country, here are seven tips that should come in handy when packing and transporting your vehicle.

1. Make Sure All Fluids Are Drained

Always double-check that all the fluid is removed from your car before moving it for shipment. If you still have any small or large containers with fluids, remove them now. Most shipping companies require entries free from any water or hazardous liquids from the cargo area of a car because these substances could be dangerous during transit. Having no fluids in your vehicle eliminates that worry.

2. Find A Reliable Auto Transport Services

When you choose to ship your car, you need to check with several reliable auto transport services to ensure that the shipping company that you would be dealing with is trustworthy. If they have a poor reputation or are otherwise unscrupulous, many people will avoid dealing with them to keep their vehicles safe and undamaged during transit. For instance, if you are looking for car shipping in Texas, always read reviews and ask others who have used them in the past what they've had to say.

3. Keep Track Of All Removable Parts

It never hurts to record any removable parts in your car. Some everyday items to remember are the vehicle's spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and lug nuts. If you can't remember where they are stored in the car after it has been packed up for shipping, removing them and placing them inside your vehicle during transit may be a good idea. This will keep them safe and save you the hassle of unpacking your car upon delivery and discovering that one or more critical pieces are missing from it.

4. Tack Down Carpet And Floor Mats

You want to minimize the movement of your car during transit, so it's vital that you keep all carpets and floor mats from shifting around during transport. It is crucial to ensure that nothing is left behind on the ground during shipment to avoid damage that could occur when your vehicle arrives at the destination. The carpet should be rolled tightly to minimize the movement of the whole car as much as possible. If you have a long vehicle, consider securing it with car tie-downs, cargo straps, or cargo webbing before packing it for shipping. You may also want to confirm all loose items in a dedicated area inside your car just in case they shift during transport.

5. Use Straps To Secure Loose Objects

Cargo straps can come in handy for securing loose objects inside your vehicle before shipping. You can buy or order a set of straps online and have them shipped right to your doorstep. These straps will attach to the doors of your car and give you the ability to secure all your belongings, such as seat cushions so that they do not move around while your vehicle is traveling during transport. This will help minimize shifting during transit which could cause harm to certain parts of your car if they're not appropriately secured.

6. Keep Your Trunk Clean

While there isn't anything more important than securing your car, you can prevent even the most minor scratches and dents by keeping it clean when packing it up for shipment. While you may want to keep items of value (such as your spare tire or carpet) inside the trunk, you also want to ensure that everything is appropriately secured so that nothing falls over or becomes damaged during transit. It only takes a small nick or dent to cause damage to something valuable during shipping, so getting everything secured before sending it off is crucial.

7. Clean The Interior Too

When you have your car packed up for shipment, you should also ensure that it is just as clean on the inside as on the outside. This will help to ensure that nothing obstructs the smooth movement of your car during transit, which can cause damage to certain parts. If you have a leather seat or carpeting, paying extra attention to these areas can keep them from spoiling during shipment due to friction with your car's floor.

Closing Thoughts

There is a lot to do when sending your vehicle to be shipped, and keeping everything in check can be challenging. However, this does not mean you struggle to get the job done. With the tips above, you can easily prepare for and complete the most challenging task of shipping your car.