It is a trend that during the summer period the number of vehicles shipped rises significantly. People normally move in these days or buy new cars, and the lounges are always full of cars ready to go on holiday with their owners somewhere else. Unfortunately, summer vehicle shipping can become “unpleasant” due to high temperatures and weather conditions that can become extreme. Thus, a correctly done vehicle shipping preparation will pave the way for a stressless and comfortable ride to the destination. In this article, we will briefly and clearly explain what to do to prepare your car for the upcoming summer journey.Preparing your vehicle for summer shipping
Why Summer Shipping Requires Special Preparation
Shipping your car in the summer is not the same as doing it in the cold seasons. It is because of the high temperatures, increased demand, and the possibility of bad weather. Here are a few reasons why summer shipping requires extra care:
Heat: The heat of summer can make the internal parts of the vehicle, such as the engine, tires, and fluids, to be hot. Over the extreme heat, the vehicle can be heated up all the way to overheat in the process of shipping, especially on a long trip.
Demand Increase: The summer season is the most attractive time to vehicle shipping as the majority of people moving, traveling, or buying new cars. Consequently, one can expect a situation where shipping will be either with longer waiting times or more expensive.
Summer Storms: Summer may be associated with nice weather but it also comes with storms. For instance, if you are shipping your car during a hurricane season, weather delays, or changes of the route may have an impact on the delivery schedules.
Understanding these factors behind the necessity of taking extra care in summer shipping, let us now review the steps of vehicle preparation for shipping.Preparing your vehicle for summer shipping
Step 1: Inspect Your Vehicle Thoroughly
Before the shipment of your vehicle, a thorough inspection is a must. This will give a clear indication that your vehicle is in its best condition and ready to be transported. The process of checking your car is as follows:
Exterior Condition: Survey your automobile for any new or old damage, which might be in the form of scratches, dents, or dings. Besides that, take good quality photos of the issues and write them down. This documentation will act as evidence if there is any damage during the shipping.
Tires: Examine your tires for tread and make sure they are inflated to the right pressure. Overheating of tires during a shipment can become a source of trouble, particularly if the vehicle is on a long journey. Low or overinflated tires can also cause problems.
Fluid Levels: First of all, make sure that the fluid levels in your car such as oil, coolant, and brake fluid are adequate. Properly filled up your car to avoid heating during the transport.
Battery: Check the battery if your car has been sitting still for a long time to see whether it is fully charged or not. A weak or dead battery can cause the car to stop starting, thus making it impossible for a continuation of the journey, so the car will have to wait for a long time at the destination.Preparing your vehicle for summer shipping
Step 2: Clean Your Vehicle
Cleaning the vehicle before the shipping, albeit a minor detail, is still a very necessary step that a customer should take while preparing a car for the transport. On one hand, a clean car makes it easier for both the shipping company and you to find any possible damages. On the other hand, cleaning your vehicle keeps the paint safe from tiny scratches that can happen throughout the shipping process.
Exterior: You need to give your car a thorough wash including the undercarriage. If your car is very dirty, a great idea would be to get it detailed for the complete removal of dirt or grime, which, apart from hiding some kinds of damage, might be the source of damage.
Interior: First of all, make sure that your car is free from personals items. Many car shipping companies do not allow the transport of personal items in the vehicle for liability reasons. In addition to that, leaving items in the car can make the car heavier and that therefore can negatively impact the car’s safety during the shipping process.
Step 3: Get Your Car Ready for Transport
Visually checking and cleaning your car are just a part of the overall vehicle preparation for transport. These are some of the practical steps that you can take to make sure that your car is ready for the shipping process:
Turn off Alarm Systems: In a case where your car is equipped with an alarm system, make sure to turn it off before shipping. The car carrier will need to move your vehicle, and an alarm that keeps going off can create a lot of problems and thus, cause delays.
Fuel Check: Most car shipping companies suggest that you keep your fuel tank at about a quarter full. This is just enough fuel to move the car on and off the transport truck without causing any problems.
Fold the Side Mirrors: If you are allowed, fold in your side mirrors so that they are safe from any kind of damage while the car is in transit. There are some car carriers who will instruct you to do that, mainly, if your car is going to be transported on an open carrier.
Unhook the Car Antennae or Other Attachments: If your car has a removable antenna or any other accessory that can be damaged, it is better to remove it. This additionally facilitates the prevention of extra fees if the vehicle is bigger than it was assumed because of the extra attachments.
Step 4: Choose the Right Type of Transport for Summer
When shipping your car in the warm months, it is vital to pick the most suitable type of transport. Mostly, the vehicle in hot weather or during a summer storm, so the proper option is the one which will cause the least trouble to your vehicle and at the same time meets your requirements.
Open Transport: Open transport is the most widely used and the cheapest way to ship a vehicle. However, the car is still exposed to the elements, it is still a good idea for the majority of vehicles. In case you are not shipping a luxury or classic vehicle, this method is the one with the greaterthe best value/most value.
Enclosed Transport: If you’re shipping a high-value or classic vehicle, you may want to decide on enclosed transport. In addition to the protection against extreme heat, storms, and dust from the road, this option gives you a feeling of safety for the more valuable vehicles.
Step 5: Plan for Weather Delays
First of all, we can state that getting your vehicle ready for shipment in the warm months is a must, however, it is also vital to prepare for the possible delays as a result of bad weather. Summer storms, hurricanes, or heatwaves can not only disrupt shipping schedules but also create waiting times. The following steps are ways of being prepared beforehand:
Allow Extra Time: It is advisable to make allowance for extra time for your car’s arrival during the summer’s peak months. In other words, a shipping delay caused either by bad weather or by high demand will leave all the recipients who did not plan ahead at a loss of time and this is going to cause a last-minute rush.
Stay Informed: It is suggested that you keep in touch with the shipping company and are updated with the vehicle’s location at all times. Quite a few transport companies of auto have fixed routes with a varying number of stops throughout the day and the night, so they offer their customers car tracking services to have their vehicles located and receiving the time when they are to get off at next stops.
Conclusion – Preparing your vehicle for summer shipping
Summer car shipping is no joke and one has to be very cautious while doing the tasks. Vehicle inspection, making the vehicle neat, emptying it from personal belongings, and preparing the car for shipping are the steps that will eliminate many problems on the way. In addition, selecting the type of transport that is most suitable for your car along with giving yourself extra time in case there are any delays will be the guarantee for your car to arrive at its destination safe and sound.
Whatever the case be, either you are relocating, buying a brand new car, going on a vacation, or shipping a vehicle; taking the steps to get ready for summer shipping will be your best bet if you want the process to be hassle-free and efficient. By following these tips, you are basically making sure that your car is good to go for a safe and timely trip.
