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Transporting vehicles is no small task, especially when they deserve extra care and attention. Whether you’re a car dealer shipping high-end vehicles, a car enthusiast moving a classic, or a business specializing in auto transport, ensuring safe and secure delivery is a top priority. This is where enclosed auto shipping shines—a preferred method for safely moving high-value vehicles across the USA.
Curious to learn how enclosed auto shipping works and why it’s a favorite among professionals? Let’s explore everything you need to know about enclosed vehicle transport and why it could be the perfect choice for your shipping needs.
Key Takeaways:
Enclosed auto shipping involves transporting vehicles in a fully covered trailer, offering maximum protection. These trailers shield cars from external elements like weather, debris, and environmental damage. Unlike open trailers, which are commonly seen on highways carrying multiple vehicles, enclosed trailers have walls, a roof, and sometimes even climate control.
This method is typically chosen for vehicles that require extra safety and care—such as luxury cars, vintage collectibles, exotic models, or custom rides. But enclosed auto shipping isn’t just for rare or high-ticket vehicles—it’s for anyone who values peace of mind when transporting their car.
Did you know there are different types of enclosed transport trailers to meet specific needs?
Single-Car Enclosed Trailers
Ideal for transporting one vehicle at a time, these trailers provide unparalleled exclusivity and focus on the car’s safety.
Multi-Car Enclosed Trailers
Perfect for shipping multiple vehicles while still enjoying the protection of an enclosed carrier. While slightly less exclusive than single-car options, they’re a cost-effective, safe solution for many businesses.
Lift-Gate Trailers
Equipped with hydraulic lift gates, these trailers ensure vehicles with extremely low ground clearance can be loaded without risking damage.
Hard-Side Enclosed Carriers
Hard-side enclosed carriers provide the highest level of protection available in auto transport. These carriers feature rigid walls typically made of aluminum or steel, creating an impenetrable barrier against weather conditions and road debris.
Soft-Side Enclosed Carriers
Soft-side enclosed carriers utilize heavy-duty canvas or vinyl materials for their walls while maintaining a rigid frame structure. This provide quick installation and removal of side panels and more cost-effective than hard-side carriers.
Whether you’re shipping a classic 1969 Mustang or a brand-new Ferrari, the benefits of enclosed auto shipping are hard to ignore. Here’s why so many car dealers, shippers, and movers make this their go-to method for vehicle transport.
1. Superior Protection Features
These specialized carriers come equipped with solid walls, a sturdy roof, and often feature hydraulic lift gates for safe loading and unloading. The enclosed environment ensures your vehicle remains untouched by rain, snow, dust, road debris, and other potential hazards throughout its journey.
2. Reduced Risk of Damage
Unlike open transport, enclosed shipping eliminates the risk of road debris or objects (like rocks) damaging the vehicle’s surface. It’s an obvious choice for maintaining flawless paint jobs and blemish-free finishes.
3. Exclusive Handling
Drivers and carriers with enclosed trailers typically specialize in transporting high-value vehicles, giving you the added assurance that your car is entrusted to professionals who’ll handle it as their own.
4. Confidentiality
Feel uneasy about transporting a high-profile vehicle? Enclosed carriers ensure privacy since the vehicle isn’t visible during transportation. This added security is particularly attractive for exotic and rare models that may draw unwanted attention.
5. Climate Control Option
Some enclosed carriers offer climate control—a must-have for cars particularly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. This ensures optimal conditions from start to finish, preserving delicate interiors or finishes.
6. Peace of Mind
The comprehensive protection offered by enclosed transport provides invaluable peace of mind. Whether you're shipping a luxury vehicle, classic car, or any vehicle that holds special value, knowing it's protected from all external elements allows you to relax during the transport process.
| Feature | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
| Protection | Exposed to weather and debris | Full protection |
| Vehicle Types | Standard vehicles | Luxury, classic, or high-value cars |
| Availability | Widely available | Limited carriers |
Enclosed Car transport isn't just a luxury - it's a necessity for certain types of vehicles that require extra protection during shipping. Let's explore which vehicles benefit most from this premium service.
Luxury and High-End Vehicles
Premium vehicles like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, and other high-end manufacturers represent significant investments that deserve maximum protection. These vehicles often feature delicate finishes and sophisticated components that could be compromised during traditional open transport. The controlled environment of enclosed transport ensures these valuable assets reach their destination in pristine condition.
Classic and Vintage Cars
Vintage automobiles and classic cars are irreplaceable pieces of history that require special handling. These vehicles often have unique characteristics like:
The enclosed environment shields these precious vehicles from road debris, weather elements, and other potential hazards that could compromise their value or authenticity.
Modified and Custom Vehicles
Custom-built cars, show cars, and modified vehicles with special features need extra care during transport. These vehicles typically have:
Enclosed transport provides the necessary protection for these unique modifications and ensures that all custom work remains intact throughout the journey.
Exotic and Limited Edition Models
Rare and exotic vehicles, including limited production runs and special editions, demand the highest level of protection. These vehicles often feature:
The secure environment of enclosed transport provides peace of mind for owners of these exceptional vehicles, protecting their substantial investment from potential damage or exposure.
Several factors influence the cost of enclosed auto shipping, ranging from the size and weight of the vehicle to the distance . On average, enclosed auto shipping is about 25-50% more expensive than open transport. While it’s a premium service, the added cost is a worthy investment for the protection and care it provides. But there are other factors which influence the cost of shipping are discussed below.
Here’s a rough breakdown of costs based on route distances:
The enclosed Car transport process involves several carefully coordinated steps to ensure your vehicle reaches its destination safely and securely.
By choosing enclosed Car transport, you're investing in peace of mind and superior protection for your prized possession. While the cost may be higher than open transport, the benefits of complete protection from weather elements, road debris, and potential damage make it worthwhile for high-value vehicles.
Get an On-Spot Estimate on Your Car Shipping Costs Now!
You can start by navigating to our easy-to-use cost calculator. In the blink of an eye, we will tell you exactly how much shipping your car will cost. Our motive is to be as honest as possible hence, we provide you with the information you need to have a smooth auto transport operation.
Click the below button to calculate your exact personalized auto-shipping quote in a few steps.
Frequently Asked Questions