Relocating is always a challenging task because you have to think about and plan numerous things. Most people only think about packing and transporting their belongings, but what happens with their vehicles? You would be surprised to learn how many people forget to consider this.
If for whatever reason, you cannot drive your car to your new property and don’t have anyone to do it for you, you should employ professionals to complete this task. Now, you have to know that there are several things you have to do beforehand, which is why we have created this guide for you.
1. Find a shipping company
Naturally, the very first thing you have to do is find a carrier. Nowadays, you have several options, so unless you have a recommendation for a specific company, you should conduct an Internet search. Start by listing several carriers, and then investigate each of them. You can begin by researching the companies listed on the Compare the Carrier website.
Obviously, you have to feel comfortable with the company before employing them, so make sure to inquire about the service they offer, their fee, and previous experience.
Every business today has a website, so you should go over it thoroughly. You should go with a credible company since we are talking about one of your most valuable possessions, so make sure they conduct their business transparently. If you cannot find all the information you need on their website or if they do not tell you everything you want to know, you should move on to the next carrier on your list.
Finally, make sure to go over the comments on their websites posted by previous customers. Here, you will learn everything about the company, how good they are at their business, how careful and reliable they are, and so on.
2. Schedule the pickup date
Once you employ a company, the next thing you should do is decide on the shipment day. Now, most companies will call you to inform you when they can come and pick up the vehicle. Generally speaking, they will call you at least a week in advance, but this may differ between carriers. Make sure to ask about this aspect of the process before you hire them.
However, if this date doesn’t work for you, you can contact them and schedule another one. Still, keep in mind that most businesses will charge you extra for this, so make sure to include that fee into your budget.
3. Wash the car meticulously
Even though this step may seem odd at first, the truth is that it is crucial. The thing is that you will inspect your vehicle both before and after the delivery. This way, you will be able to notice if some damage occurred during the transportation. However, you cannot do this properly if your car is not in pristine condition. Clearly, it will be difficult to notice scratches, nicks, and dents if the vehicle is dirty. Even if you know about every single dent on your car, you have to wash it and go over it thoroughly before shipping it. This is the only way to prevent any potential issues in the future.
While on the subject of washing the car beforehand, don’t forget to go over the inside of it as well. When it comes to this, make sure to remove all the items that are not secured.
Otherwise, these would fly around the car and probably cause some damage. The same rule applies to electronics, and you should probably pack these in the boxes and carry them with you.
4. Inspect it carefully
No, we are not talking about dents and scratches here, but about the tire pressure and possible leaks. When it comes to the former, it is vital to ensure that the tires are at the right pressure. Why when the vehicle won’t be driven? Well, the thing is that if these are over or under-inflated, the damage can easily occur when the car is being loaded or unloaded.
Is it really necessary to explain the latter? You have to check your car and make sure that it is not leaking any fluids, which can be dangerous. What’s more, the company can refuse to transport the car if they notice this issue. Due to this reason, inspect the vehicle thoroughly the day before you take it to the pickup location. If you see any leaks, you need to have them fixed as soon as possible.
5. Disable alarms
Now, many people might be reluctant to do this, but it is one of the reasons you need to feel comfortable with the carrier before hiring them. It goes without saying that they will ensure your vehicle is safe at all times. Due to this reason, there really is no need to set up an alarm. No, this is not a requirement you must meet, but can you imagine how annoying it would be for the driver transporting the car if the alarm was to go every few minutes?
You can choose to shut off this system completely or disable it temporarily. Turn to the manual if you are not sure how to do this correctly.
6. Don’t fill the gas tank
When you think about this, it isn’t necessary to fill up the tank since you won’t drive the car to the destination. The thing is that a full tank adds to the overall weight of the car.
Even though this is not a reason a carrier will deny your shipping request, it can significantly increase the overall fee of their service. Consider the distance you will actually drive the car, and fill up the tank accordingly.
Wrapping up
All in all, these are some critical things you have to do when preparing your car for transportation. As you can see, there is a good reason behind each of these, so make sure to follow our guide step-by-step. This entire task shouldn’t take you too much time, and it will enable you to have a peace of mind and not worry about your most prized possession.
