Archive for the ‘car carrier’ Category

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Towing Services Are Economical And Essential

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Everyone has witnessed the aftermath of accidents when the battered cars are towed away by tow trucks. The benefits of these towing services are many.

The crime rate is growing rapidly and the prospect of being alone in the evening walking through a dark stretch of highway is frightening. Women especially are vulnerable when they are driving alone or with children through an isolated area. We would love to all be constantly protected from both hidden and obvious dangers at all times but, the reality is, we are not.

A number of situations arise in ones lifetime where you may need the services of a towing company. If you are in an accident and the car is damaged extensively then you will need to find the nearest towing company which can be a hassle. The company may be expensive and you may not be carrying enough to cover the costs. Getting your car to the garage and getting it fixed may cost you the same as getting it towed to the mechanic in the first place.

If your car breaks down suddenly then you may also need to contact towing services. Cars are vulnerable to time and parts erode over the years. Your car may break down at anytime for numerous reasons and most of the time it happens when you least expect it. Finding a mechanic close by may not be an option.

A mechanic\’s shop may be too far out and you will need to find some emergency road services to help transport your car, which is an added cost to getting your car fixed and up and running again. You can avoid this hassle if you have a plan in advance where you get roadside assistance and it includes the price of towing at a reasonable rate.

Roadside assistance plans offer a number of services that are included in the monthly fee. The fee is reasonable and it prevents you from having to pay a hefty sum all at once in case of an emergency. The fee includes a variety of services besides towing such as offering to come and fix your flat tire anywhere you may be. It also includes various other benefits like bringing you a battery in case of a failure.

The roadside plan helps you out of most auto related issues. They will help you if you run out of gas suddenly or get locked out of your car. Every time such incidences happen you would have had to pay a huge amount for towing services and finding a lock smith at odd hours. Having a road side plan will take into consideration all situations where you may be helpless and stuck with your car. They will help you in every emergency situation moving your car safely and securely.

Keep in mind the numerous emergency situations you may find yourself in and realize that anyone may need towing services at any point in time. Having a decent roadside assistance plan will ensure that you get help swiftly and economically.

There comes a time when you need roadside assistance during an automotive crisis. Consult with the Abrams Towing in Mississauga for more information on responsive, resourceful, and reliable emergency road service.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Car Shippers Can Transport The Car For You

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

There are many logistics to be worked out for a cross country move. One of those is how are you going to get your cars to the new home. One of the easiest ways to move a car is to use car shippers.

This will prevent dividing up the family to move across country. Moves are stressful enough without worrying about a car caravan. Even with a tow trailer or dolly, you can only move one car with you.

Some families give up trying to move two vehicles and sell one to replace it when they get to the new home. The problem with this approach is that in addition to moving expenses, you must come up with money for a second vehicle. Instead of selling and re-buying cars, why not have the vehicle shipped to your new home.

Persons with antique or specialty vehicles, driving the vehicle is unthinkable. Shipping may be the only option to get your collector car to its new home.

Shipping costs for vehicles are very reasonable. It may only be a few hundred dollars more than the cost of gas to drive the vehicle to the new destination. The car arrives in great shape and you have not added all of the extra miles.

Your vehicle is loaded onto a trailer which is in tern pulled across the country by a semi trailer. You will not be adding any extra miles to the vehicle that will make a difference in your lease contract. It is safely delivered to your new location so you are able to start driving it once again.

Shippers try to fill trailers with vehicles to save you money in the transportation costs. The transportation may take two to three weeks unless you pay for the available expedited service that gets your car to you in a shorter time.

Vehicles can also be shipped in enclosed trailers to avoid more of the possible dangers or the roads like flying gravel chips. You will have to pay extra for this service, but may find that the extra cost is another layer of insurance for that collectors car.

Some shipping companies offer door to door service. Your vehicle is picked up form your old drive way and delivered to the new drive way. If the car arrives before you do, then there is secure storage available for the vehicle.

If your move is too long to drive, then ship all the vehicles and save the long drive by flying. Ship one vehicle to be at the new home to be there for your arrival and keep the second one until moving day. This allows you to have a car at both ends of the move and gets both vehicles to you. It saves the long drive for everyone. You arrive at the new home ready to unpack and get life back in order. Your car arrives in top shape and has not had all the extra miles of wear and tare from a long trip.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Car Transport, Cars, car carrier | No Comments »

More or Less on Pricing Auto Shipping

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Whether that car you need to relocate to a distant location is a classic collector’s item or the family minivan, you are probably looking for an inexpensive yet secure method of transport.  One of the best ways to do this is via an auto shipping company.  This remarkable service saves you the time, trouble and money of driving that vehicle yourself thousands of miles.  The price of gas these days is enough of a deterrent, let alone the wear and tear on you and your vehicle.

The auto shipping industry is becoming popular for those very reasons.  Nonetheless, selecting from the many companies and their services, whether large or small is not without risk.  You need to be aware of the companies insurance coverage, past experience, and previous performance with your type of car, particularly if it is somewhat exotic in either model or size.  You will also need to find out what criteria they use to determine pricing.

Clearly, all companies will start the price structure with the model, the travel distance and the exact sites of pick up and delivery.

The road less travelled in this case will cost you more, due to remote, hard to find services, and the time and energy the company must put forth to keep your car safe from the various road and weather conditions that could harm the vehicles on the carrier.  This will cause the company to add services (and charges)  not normally encountered on well-traveled routes.

If your vehicle is abnormally heavy, large, or odd-sized the cost will increase because the carrier can load fewer vehicles.  Many esoteric cars, and particularly vintage, classic and collector’s cars are of nonstandard dimensions, but also require unusual tender loving care, regardless of weight or size.

Obviously, whatever the car, you want it insured for its journey and your usual policy will probably not cover this.  You will incur an added, but absolutely necessary cost by buying coverage from the company you select.  Just like your regular insurance carrier, they will offer various coverages at various prices.  You want to lean toward the expensive coverage to be absolutely safe.

One other determination aside from the above is whether your car is drivable or not.  If the car cannot be driven on and off the carrier, special trucks will be dispatched to take it to the carrier, it then must be pushed or towed to its spot, and the entire procedure must be repeated at its destination.

Better to have an operable vehicle and hire the carrier giving them as much advance notice as you can before your required shipment date.  If you give the company only a few weeks notice, the price will increase, and if because of your car’s pre-shipment condition it becomes damaged along the way, oh boy, are you in for some sticker shock.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Great Methods To Choose A Car Shipping Carrier

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

If you are moving, you may have already selected the moving company, but what will you do with your vehicles? Unless you are willing to drive cars cross country, you are going to also need to choose a car shipping company.

In order to find a good company, you can go directly to the website of the company that your are interested in and request a quote or you can find one of several websites that offer you five to ten quotes by submitting only one form. Be sure that you enter in the information as accurately as possible for the most accurate quote. If your vehicle has been modified in any way, the standard quote you get from the internet may not be accurate, since modifications often add weight. If the vehicle is not running, you may also be charged more since it will be more difficult to load and unload.

Be cautious about the lowest quotes. Sometimes you will get a low quote that is not yet attached to a carrier. Once you dismiss all the other quotes, you will start to hear about additional charges that make that lowest quote the most expensive one. If a quote is way below all of the others, be careful.

Use resources such as the internet, friends and co-workers and the Better Business Bureau to check out any company you are considering hiring to move your vehicle.

Brokers should be bonded and carriers should carry insurance and be licensed. This will help to make sure your vehicle is covered during transport.

Once you are fairly sure you have found a reputable company, you are ready to book an order. You should receive a confirmation by e-mail or by fax. Read everything that is sent by the company before making the final signature. When you are ordering on the internet an e-signature is binding just like an actual signature.

You will need to prepare your vehicle for the transport. That will include removing personal or valuable items from the car. Do not pack things that need to be moved in the car as they are not allowed. The gas tank should be below 1/4 tank. This lowers the weight of the load the truck must pull and increased the fuel efficiency. If you wash your vehicle before pickup so that its condition can be seen when picked up.

You should get a copy of the carrier’s inspection of your vehicle. This report should show and damage that was already done to your vehicle. You will need to sign this form before the vehicle is moved. Keep the copy of your form until the vehicle is safely returned to your possession.

After delivery, you will be asked to perform your own inspection of the vehicle. Be very careful in performing this inspection, as once you sign off on the form, you cannot claim any further damage to the vehicle. If there is additional damage, be sure that the carrier signs the form noting the additional damage to the vehicle. Make sure that you get a copy of this form also.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Important Factors To Consider When Choosing An Auto Transport Carrier

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

A car is a valuable asset that needs to be protected. Not only is there a monetary value to our vehicle, we often are emotionally attached and physically dependent on our vehicles to transport us from one place to another. When a vehicle needs to be moved a long distance, it is important that it have good care. When you must choose an auto transport company, you need to be diligent in your search in order for that vehicle to arrive at the new destination without damage. These tips should help you in choosing a safe and reliable auto transport company.

Seek out a shipping company which has a very good reputation. Use the internet and search to check out the companies. If a company has a bad reputation a quick internet search will let you see reviews of several dissatisfied customers. Look for a site that gives you more than just a star rating if possible. You will want to know both what happened and how the company tried to resolve the problem. You need a feel for how the company deals with problems as well as the problems that happened. If the majority of reviews are negative, it is probably best to stay away from that company and to choose a different carrier.

Inquire with the company to be sure that they have the necessary licenses to move your vehicle. They should have a federal license as well as the necessary insurance and bond requirements. If the carrier is legitimate, they should have no problem in showing you this paperwork.

Be sure that you ask the company about the insurance that they have to cover any damage that might happen to your car during the move. Be sure to find out about any limitations to that insurance. For example, some companies do not cover damage that might be caused by flying gravel. This includes paint chips and broken glass. If this is not a part of the companies insurance, you will want to know before signing any paperwork.

You will find several different options for shipping a vehicle. Not all companies offer all of these options, so if one is important to you, be sure that you check.

With the open shipping method your vehicle is simply loaded in an open trailer. While less expensive, cars are more susceptible to damage from the elements. If it is storm season, there is the possibility of hail damage. Flying gravel can also cause problems.

You may want to pay extra for an enclosed trailer if you have an expensive vehicle that is to be transported. The enclosed trailer protects your vehicle from those elements of the road that are likely to case damage. This could also be important if you are transporting an antique automobile.

Economy service is the least expensive way to transport a vehicle. This method of shipping is on a space available method and it can cause significant delays in your vehicle arriving at your new home. Some companies say that this method of transportation can take up to three weeks to get your vehicle delivered. If you are not in a hurry to get the vehicle at the new home, this can save some money.

Full service moving will get the vehicle to the new destination in the shortest amount of time possible.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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A Look at the Auto Shipping Industry

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Most everyone has a treasured vehicle to take care of so it will behave nicely on the road.  We do everything we can to keep it looking good and running smoothly and reliably.  There may come the necessity at some time to get our pampered pet to a faraway destination due to relocation or just plain moving away.  You don’t need to worry, though, that you will be without transportation once you get there.  Here is why.

Just What is Auto Shipping?

To simplify, it is the art of getting a vehicle from where it is now to where it will be in the future, say a couple of days or more.  This does sound easy and in actuality, it is.  Auto shipping is a great convenience to anyone on the move.  The auto shipping companies generally include carriers of all different dimensions to suit every vehicle’s needs.  They will ship your car domestically as well as internationally and even door to door if that’s what you want.  You can work with an online service provider or a local one, although a local company where you can actually walk in the door and meet with a representative is rare.  Most of these companies are scattered hither and yon, so online is probably where you will be.  In any case, you and the company’s agent can work out all your travel preparations and needs.  Most offer a variety of services including great customer service and are flexible with modes of transportations and schedules.

Auto Shipping Types

Now that you know that you must ship your vehicle whether, car, truck, motorcycle or yacht, you need to educate yourself as to the various shipping methods that exist.  Following are two of these.

  1. Open carrier is the most commonly used type because it offers the most economical rates.  Open is an apt description.  We have all seen the mega-trucks with mega-trailers carrying a dozen plus automobiles rumbling down the highways.  One of those cars could be yours.  That’s fine but bear in mind that those vehicles are subject to road dirt, inclement weather, damage from other vehicles on the carrier and even theft.  Any accessories, such as a GPS, sound system, or other expensive electronic gadgets have greater odds of disappearing than if they were in a closed carrier.
  2. An enclosed carrier is just that.  Your precious vehicle is safely tucked in for the journey with no fear of debris, weather, theft, or harm from other vehicles traveling with it.  Your car will inevitably receive better care and more attention while being loaded and unloaded from the carrier.  Sounds like heaven but there are disadvantages to this shipping method.  Firstly, it is from 25% to 100% more costly, and secondly, not every shipping company has these closed vehicles in their fleets.  Finding the few that do can be a real challenge.

I hope this helps in your mission to get that vehicle of yours safely to its destination.  You still have a lot of research ahead of you, but the above noted basic principles should get you on your way.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Auto Transportation – Open Carrier

Friday, November 6th, 2009

A customer will often make a choice of services based solely on price and reliability being unaware of all the options available to them.  While price and reliability are certainly basic issues to consider in any selection of providers,  there may be several types of providers within the industry that are unknown to them.  Lets look at the auto shipping industry.  Most of these businesses, of course, have a fleet of big trucks with big trailers that haul cars over some distance.  The wise customer who chooses not to drive the vehicle himself hundreds or thousands of miles but elects for someone else to do this safely for him, needs to have some idea of the technical aspects of the industry in order to make the selection that best fits his situation.

We are not concentrating  here on air and water shipping as that is a different subject entirely.  The focus is on domestic shipping most commonly over land, in either an open or closed vehicle carrier.   The most common and least expensive type of carrier is the open one.  These vehicles carry about a dozen vehicles, are reliable and can be operated without any specialized training, keeping in mind that the exact reason and particulars of the transport are known to both carrier company and customer.  A better option for long-distance hauling is the closed-type carrier.  Cars on open carriers are subjected to dirt, weather conditions, not to mention vandalism and/or theft, which brings up the point that closed carriers may be the best choice for short distance hauling as well, else that gorgeous platinum Corvette may end its journey resembling pond scum.  Of course you are absolutely sure that your vehicle is covered by insurance, preferably the policy of the auto carrier, but even so, settlement is such a nuisance.

Naturally, owners of rare, expensive or vintage cars are more aware of the closed carrier option than those of us with normal, everyday cars.  But the folks with Fords and Chevys should also consider this as an option, even though a more expensive one.  The extra expense is partially due to the smaller capacity of the open carrier.

So, it boils down to cost, open transport being the more economical means of transportation.  Driving your car yourself can actually be more expensive than an open carrier, especially if you are driving a gas guzzler.  But also consider wear on the car, possible repairs, weather damage, not to mention differing state traffic laws.

It would be hard for anyone to miss the sight of an open auto transport truck, they are common road sites which is testament to their reliability and safety.  These carriers because of their size, approximately 80 feet long and 14 feet high, are restricted to those roads capable of accommodating them, roads without low bridges, sharp turns and low tree growth.  Goods are constantly being manufactured that rely on these carriers to get their wares to show rooms and stores.

The open transport method is likely to offer more flexibility in time frames and perks.  Also, a customer of an open carrier can specify where he wants he car located on the truck, whether top tier to keep it further away from ill-intentioned humans, or even towed behind the truck keeping it away from other vehicles.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Open Auto Transports

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

It often happens that a customer avails himself of a service without realizing they had any choice about it. There may be so many issues to consider, the most vital of which is the estimated price and reliability, that you might never think of the existence of multiple carrier types. The trucks offered by any sensibly sized company are not merely great big trucks or trailers hauling a bunch of cars. The owner who would rather not drive endless miles by himself and who will have his car shipped safely had better have some notion of the technical differences between the various methods offered by standard companies.

There is air and water shipping which are a separate special subject. Within a country, cars are most commonly shipped over land, either in open carriers or in closed carriers. Open carriers are the more common, quickly operated, and cheaper type, though often through oversight than necessity. They accommodate about a dozen vehicles and are reliable enough to be used by anybody, as long as the precise purposes and circumstances of the transport are estimated. Long-distance transportation had perhaps better be done by closed carriers, since cars in open carriers are open to road debris, dirt, inclement weather, and plain vandalism or theft. In fact, even short distances are sometimes better traveled when sleet, sun, sand, or hail threaten to turn your car from that beautiful cherry red to patchy brown. Even if you have made sure any such damage is covered by insurance (preferably, the company’s), the resulting fuss in most cases is not worth the trouble.

Owners of expensive or rare vehicles prefer closed transportation, but the method is likewise popular among people who can afford to protect their ordinary Mazdas and Pajeros, even at the cost of higher prices. The price is made steeper by the closed carrier’s capacity to transport only 2 or 4 units.

Essentially, then, the advantage of open auto transport is its relatively economic cost. Even driving a car by your own means to a remote destination is likely to cost more, because of the gas prices, especially if your car has poor gas mileage. Driving your own car even across a single state may incur expenses and involve unforeseen damages which are otherwise easily avoided when shipping the car with a company.

Anybody has almost certainly seen an open auto transport truck and that only speaks in its favor as a reliable, well controlled means. They are about 80 feet long and 14 feet high, and are allowed only on roads built to accommodate them and keep them away from low trees and low bridges. Factories routinely entrust batches of new products to be shipped to stores and showrooms.

Open transport is likely to be more flexible in its options, offer convenient time-frames and perks. Open-carrier customers have the option of shipping their car on the top rack (further away from thieves and vandals) or even in tow behind the truck (perhaps further away from hostile natural elements).

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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Auto Shipping Carriers 101

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Your vehicle needs to be transported and you need an auto shipping carrier to take you on your way, but what is an auto shipping carrier? This is your answer.

The carrier

An auto shipping service transports your vehicle to your required destination, in general. Shipping your vehicle across country or even internationally is what they can do. They have in person help along with online services. The ability to ship your car, boat, or motorcycle to any destination you need, is allowed. To fit your every accommodation there are a vast number of carriers. Shipping that carries cars, boats, motorcycles, heavy equipment that includes industrial, construction and farming machinery, bulldozers, and cranes, is offered. Carrier companies also pick up and deliver SUVs and RVs.

For every demographic such as corporate, dealer relocations, and other specialized services there is a service provided by auto shipping carriers. Specific transportation for ATVs, antique classic and custom vehicles, also race cars and yachts is available. On these offering s it is important to inquire information; seeing as how these items are special to you.

Carrier companies have traditions to transport your vehicle in nice selections. Available to you and your auto travel are many offerings such as open and enclosed shipping services, freight, LTL, boating and flight shipping. Once you make your choice action is taken to start the quoting.

Although they do depend on brokers for much of their business, auto shipping carriers will directly deal with their customers. Because they do not have huge budgets for their advertising, to escalate business and revenue they use newspapers, the internet, and word of mouth.

A plus is that they do try to establish great customer service. Low grading from word of mouth can be a huge deficit to their existence. On the other end, be prepared to have kindness and efficiency. Pay close attention to all the details, do not be swindled, asking for references and looking for any faults they may have is crucial.

The ability to get free quotes is something you will most likely have, which is another good thing. If a free quote is something the carrier you are using won’t offer, it’s time take your business elsewhere. Amongst all the workings in investigating and figuring what auto shipping carrier to use, this part seems to be the easiest. Something that allows you the freedom to roam around and find the most suitable carrier for you is the easy online systems that most companies have. If you find yourself confused by the online quoting system it’s simple to call the auto carrier directly. On their website there should be a number posted that is well-located. Having a free number to call is always a good thing.

No matter where your vehicle needs to end up or where you travel, an auto shipping carrier can take you there.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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How to Ship Your Cars

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Thinking about auto shipping can be very confusing. Knowing how to get it started and what needs to be done can be an asset. One thing to consider is where your car is going. The farther your car is shipped the more expensive it will be. Deciding what shipping method you will use is the next step.

Deciding to deliberate

It might be a good idea to consider letting an auto shipping company or freight forwarding service take care of everything because doing it yourself can be a hassle. Contacting as many companies and comparing quotes is important, it narrows your choices. You should choose a good carrier with little or no complaints. Try not to choose a smaller company just because the rates are cheaper, it’s possible for them to have more liabilities than assets.

Another decision to make is whether to use an open vehicle transport or an enclosed one. While the open vehicle transport may be cheaper there are certain risks to consider. Your car will be on either a flatbed or on a truckload, this means your car will be exposed to the outside elements. There is also a possibility of your electronic equipment being stolen.  Enclosed shipping rates are very high and while your car may be protected often it is hard to book this method of shipping. In other words you must predate any shipping.

Insurance is another vital aspect to consider when auto shipping. The prices may vary due to the length of the transit and the value of your vehicle. It is important to insure the shipping of your car in case a wreck occurs during shipment.

Tips and steps

Your car should be washed and cleaned extensively so if it is scratched or chipped the damages can be easily seen. You should remove personal items as these can be stolen. Disable your car alarm so it won’t go off during shipping. Remember weight is money so do not fill your gas tank. You might want to lower your antenna and remove any specialty items. The top should be up and secure if your car is a convertible. It may be wise to draft or document any damages or mechanical issues, use photos if available. Tell the driver if there are any leaks. Also, inflate tires to the proper pressure and top off fluid levels so that no damages will occur during loading.

Visit MetroGistics for all of your Vehicle Shipping needs.

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