In the case of vehicle shipping, what type of car is the most challenging and demanding question for many people. In particular, SUV owners, often, ask the question: Are SUVs harder to transport than sedans? Both types of vehicles can be shipped without any problem in a safety and efficient way, however, there are some issues that are different in these two types of cars when talking about auto transport.
Through this text, we will delve into the reasons why SUVs could be more challenging to ship than sedans, what difficulties the shipping companies face with oversized vehicles, and how to get your SUV ready for the moving process. Regardless of whether you are unloading an SUV or a sedan, by the end, you will know the best way to go through the transport process.
Why SUVs Are Different from Sedans in Car Shipping
One of the major differences between an SUV and a sedan is that it is much more difficult to transport the former due to its size and weight. Though both car types are developed to be used on the road, their physical characteristics can affect the shipping phase.
1.1 Size and Weight
Most SUVs are bigger and heavier than sedans, thus how they are loaded, secured, and transported can be very different. A standard SUV is higher, longer, and has more width in comparison to a sedan, so it takes more space of the carrier. The extra weight of an SUV also makes the transport vehicle work harder, hence a stronger carrier is needed to ensure the safety of the transport.
- Space on the Carrier: Due to the fact that SUVs occupy more space than sedans, you might be required to have a separate or special carrier that is able to hold the vehicle without other cars being put in too tightly.
- Weight Considerations: Sometimes the weight of an SUV can bring a carrier to the brink of its maximum weight capacity. Thus a bigger and stronger carrier may be necessary along with probably higher shipping costs.
1.2 Loading and Unloading
The loading and unloading process is another one of the challenges that SUVs face in the transportation process. Most SUVs are equipped with higher ground clearance which usually means that a ramp with a steeper incline might be necessary for loading onto the carrier. Besides being more time-consuming, they also need some special equipment to make sure the vehicle is loaded in a safe way.
On the other hand, sedans have lower ground clearance, thus it is much easier for drivers to load them onto transport vehicles. Normally, the less complicated loading process for sedans leads to a reduction in both time and transport costs.
1.3 Transport Method
Single-row vehicles are usually more suitable for different modes of transport than SUVs. Even though it is possible to ship both open and enclosed cars, the bigger dimensions and heavier weight of an SUV might make the latter a better choice in some instances.
- Open Transport: This is the most common and cheapest way of shipping. As both sedans and SUVs can be transported using open carriers, the only difference is that there will be fewer cars if they will be transported using SUVs on the carrier because of their size.
- Enclosed Transport: Transporting a car in an enclosed way is a method that is often selected for expensive or delicate vehicles such as a luxury SUV or a sports car. The additional protection from air, water, or road debris is what the shipping cost goes for but this type of transport might be necessary for high-end models only.
At Automobile Shipping, we get that shipping an SUV is not easy and requires a lot of considerations. The team that we have is always ready to help you choose the best method of transport depending on the size, value, and condition of your vehicle.
How SUV Shipping Costs Differ from Sedans
Typically, the cost to ship a sports utility vehicle is more than that of a sedan by several reasons.
2.1 Size and Weight Impact on Price
Simply put, the size and weight of an SUV determine the shipping cost of the vehicle. The bigger the car, the more it takes up in the transport, whereby the operator will be able to load fewer vehicles. This can result in an increase of the price per vehicle.
In addition to this, if the SUV is heavier, more fuel will be needed to take it to its destination thus lowering the shipping cost.
2.2 Additional Equipment and Labor
Because of their size, SUVs may require the use of special equipment during the loading and unloading processes, as well as the presence of extra labor to ensure the vehicle is handled correctly. This bonus of service can raise the total shipping cost.
At Automobile Shipping, we are aware of the specific requirements of transporting SUVs, and we take these extra factors into consideration while quoting.
2.3 Distance and Destination
The distance between the locations of the pickup and delivery of the shipment is going to be the determining factor of the price of the shipping just like it is with any other car. It may be cheaper to ship your SUV to a city nearby than to take it over long distances or ship it to a remote area. If your SUV is shipped abroad, then you have to take into account the import duties, taxes, and the customs fees because these will add up to the total cost.
How to Prepare Your SUV for Transport
If you want your SUV to be transported without any problem and avoid paying extra money or facing other complications, you can take a few steps before shipping.
3.1 Clean the Vehicle
Cleaning a car is always a good idea if the car has to be shipped; not only for the reason that it looks nice but also it makes the inspection easier. When you wash your SUV the shipping company can look for any new damages such as scratches or they can find an already existing one. A clean vehicle gives the guarantee that the inspection is done with the highest accuracy.
3.2 Remove Personal Belongings
Most shipping companies, including Automobile Shipping, do not permit the transportation of personal items inside the vehicle. Yet, it is still crucial to take out from the car all the things which might move while the delivery. Personal items could be the reason for the car to be damaged, and the companies that are doing the shipping won’t usually take the responsibility for the damages of the personal belongings inside your car.
3.3 Lower the Fuel Level
The majority of car shipping companies usually require customers to keep a fuel level in their vehicles that is below one-quarter of a tank. Apart from the fact that this measure contributes to lessening the weight of the car, which in turn is the reason why the vehicle is easier to be loaded or unloaded, there is another aspect that has to do with the safety of the vehicle. Part of the transport procedure involves the risk of leaks in the fuel supply, which may be a safety hazard while the vehicle is being transported.
3.4 Disable the Alarm System
In case your SUV is equipped with an alarm system, make sure to turn it off before the shipment. Shaking as a result of a drop of a car during the transit, or the staff’s handling of the vehicle may lead to false alarms setting off and thus causing some of the troubles. To avoid this, simply deactivate the alarm system and that will be it for the transport process.
3.5 Record the Vehicle’s Condition
Capture photos of your SUV from every angle before the delivery is made. In the event of damages that might have occurred during the transit, this documentation will be the proof of the vehicles original condition.
Shipping Your SUV vs. Sedan
It is absolutely true that SUVs are mostly inconvenient to be taken somewhere as compared to sedans of cars, mainly due to their siz, weight and special transport requirements. Nevertheless, their transportation will not be a big problem if you prepare it well. Knowing the factors that impact SUV shipping costs will allow you to make a good choice regarding the shipping of your vehicle.
At Automobile Shipping, we do everything from a small car to a big SUV. We want to make different sorts of transports available to you so that you have the freedom of choosing the most convenient way and still getting a safe, efficient, and low-priced shipping of your vehicle.
