If the time comes that you have to have your car loaded onto an open rig for a cross-country journey, you hope your car will arrive at its destination in good condition. Because the car will face the elements while riding locked into position for a number of days, you need to take steps to prepare it for the journey. Take a morning off to perform these tasks just before the transportation truck arrives.
Suds It
Before handing off your car to your chosen auto shipping company, wash it with a car-wash soap. Avoid using dish detergents or any other harsh cleaning agents. Dry with a soft cloth to remove water spots, since these act to magnify the sun’s rays on the paint.
Inspect It
Go over your car in detail from front to back. Make notes about and take pictures of any scratches, dents or other blemishes. Be sure to hand copies of the itemized details and photographs to the carrier drivers.
Gather Important Paperwork
Don’t waste time searching at the last minute for documents you must supply to the shipping company. Ask ahead what items are required and organize them. You may need to present insurance, registration and proof-of-ownership papers, along with your driver’s license.
Remove Valuable
Over time cars tend to collect various odds-and-ends; clear out your personal items so that there is no chance of any coming up missing.
Perform a Mechanical Inspection
You will want your car to start and run smoothly at arrival by doing the following: Top off any fluids that are below spec, inflate the tires as recommended and check the battery charge. Most importantly, make note of any leaks that could damage the other cars on the trailer.
A reputable and well-established auto-shipping company will move your car safely and securely. By performing a few preliminary tasks yourself, you can be confident that you are doing your part to contribute to the process.