Considerations for Shipping a Vehicle During the Winter
Figuring out the logistics of shipping your personal vehicle can be a hassle. Come the winter months, vehicle transport becomes even more complicated. To ensure your vehicle shipment goes as smoothly as possible, consider the critical details below.
Delivery Budget
Deciding on your budget is a critical first step in the process of getting your personal vehicle moved. The budget dictates what type of transport you can book and the options available for vehicle shipping companies.
Generally speaking, getting multiple quotes from a variety of reputable auto transport companies is recommended. That way, you can gauge a fair price for your specific vehicle shipment.
In the wintertime, some companies may be less willing to move vehicles, especially under severe weather conditions. You should pad your transport budget to factor in increased seasonal fees. Budgeting for a 10-15% price increase should suffice.
Delivery Timeline
Vehicle transport prices vary widely depending on the time of year of the delivery. Peak vehicle shipping season generally falls between June and August and can continue until October. On the other hand, January through March tends to be off-season, where vehicle shipments are few and far between.
Knowing the peak and off-seasons can benefit you as a consumer when it comes to booking your transport. If you have a flexible timeline for when you need your vehicle delivered, consider selecting a slower month to book your transport. Around major U.S. holidays like Christmas, avoid booking vehicle transport unless necessary. Shipping during the off-season can save you hundreds of dollars.
Booking ahead of time is also in your best interest. When you give a week or two weeks’ notice on your shipment, you avoid expensive premiums for quick shipment turnaround.
Winter Weather Forecasts
During the winter, weather conditions tend to fluctuate more than in warmer months. Weather can impact not only the price of the shipment but also the delivery timeline and the type of transport.
If the forecast calls for storms, enclosed transport is the way to go to shield your vehicle from potential damage from wind, rain, snow, or other debris. Open transport is suitable for clear forecasts depending on your personal preference.
Keeping an eye on the weather at your vehicles’ pickup and delivery points can help you anticipate potential delays and get a realistic idea of when your vehicle will arrive. A good rule of thumb is to allow 2 to 3 days longer than usual for winter vehicle transport.
Auto Transport: What is it and Why is it Essential?
Auto transport, otherwise known as car or vehicle shipping, is a service that helps people (dealers, relocating individuals) move vehicles from a pickup point to a destination point in a car transporter’s truck.
How does it work?
Vehicle shipping begins with the individual who needs their vehicle moved reaching out to car transport companies to get a price quote for their specific vehicle move. Individuals can either contact automotive transportation companies directly or go through a broker. Either way, getting multiple custom price quotes is advisable so that the individual can get a good idea of a fair price.
Once the individual has selected a company to go with, they can proceed with booking their vehicle shipment. They will provide the transport company with information like the make and model of their vehicle, the type of transport they would like, the date or range of dates when they would like their vehicle to arrive, and the pickup point, and the drop-off point for their vehicle. From there, the auto transport company will ensure a transporter gets the customer’s vehicle as close as possible to its destination point within the timeframe specified.
Open transport, per its name, exposes the vehicle to the weather in an open flatbed or tow trailer. Open transport is the most common type of transport and is suitable for a wide variety of vehicles, depending on the comfort of the owner.
Enclosed transport is less common and more expensive than open transport. With enclosed transport, the vehicle will be transported in a closed trailer or container to protect against weather conditions and roadside debris. Enclosed transport may be best for luxury vehicles, classic models, or new cars due to its added level of protection. However, it can be used for any car if the vehicle owner so desires.
Within these transport categories, there are a variety of transport equipment options available such as containers, multi-level trailers, single-level trailers, and tow trailers. Tow trailers and containers hold a max of only two cars. However, tow trailers are less expensive because they are an open-transport option, as opposed to containers being enclosed transport. Single-level and multi-level trailers are also open transport options that can accommodate larger numbers of cars. Multi-level trailers hold double the number of cars than single-level trailers. Individuals can also sometimes request driver delivery. This involves hiring a driver to drive their vehicle to its destination to cut down on personal driving time.
Why is auto transport important?
Auto transport is a key and often overlooked aspect of the automotive industry. Yet, when considering the automotive market, automotive logistics and transport is a process that drives the system and allows it to remain profitable for the involved parties.
Think about it. Auto transport is the final step in getting vehicles off of car dealer’s lots so that new models can come in. Auto transport is also how auto haulers ensure their livelihoods and how retail consumers can receive their desired vehicles, no matter the geographic location.
Sometimes an individual’s dream car may not be in the dealership lot they visit or even in the same state. Auto transport makes it possible for consumers to have the car of their dreams despite geographic obstacles. Buying a car in another state can even save individuals money (even with transport costs factored in) if the car market in the state where the vehicle is located is cheaper than in the individual’s state of residency.
Especially now, during COVID times, auto transport has become all the more essential. Car buying and selling have increasingly shifted to digital due to pushes to make our lives safer and more COVID protocol compliant. An example would be the rising popularity of companies like Carvana, especially during the pandemic.
The future of auto transport
Many people today feel safer when day-to-day procedures are contactless. With Autosled, automotive transport is completely digital to keep all parties involved safe. Want to take the hassle out of vehicle transport? Looking to avoid broker fees? Autosled is free and easy to use for dealers, transporters, and individual consumers. We offer both an app and a desktop interface for our user’s convenience.
Automotive transport may very well be the future of the automotive industry. Understanding how to transport vehicles seamlessly can only serve to benefit everyone from brokers to consumers to dealers and transporters.
Autosled Speaks with Dealership News about the Importance of Automotive Transport Logistics
This past week, Autosled’s CEO, David Sperau, sat down with Dealership New’s Kelly Kleinman to discuss our growing company. Dealership News is a dealer-facing news and media online publication. It provides car dealers with the latest industry news and tips and resources to help them optimize their businesses.
In the interview, Dave discussed his past in the automotive industry as a Dealer Principal and General manager. He also outlined how Autosled came to be and the pain points of dealers when it comes to moving vehicles. When asked to elucidate how streamlined vehicle shipping can help expand dealers’ inventory, Dave highlighted how affordable and quick vehicle transport allows them to look outside of their geographic region for vehicles. The full video interview appears above.
Autosled Guest Appearance on Auto Remarketing Podcast
Autosled Co-Founders, David and Dan Sperau, made a guest appearance in Auto Remarketing’s podcast this past Wednesday. In the episode, the brothers discussed their family’s background in the automotive industry, how they got their starts in the industry, and what inspired them to launch Autosled.
“We will be there when customers need us. Even if it’s a weird hour of the night. Our cell phones are on our business cards. We’re 24 hours. If you want to call us on Sunday, we’ll answer the phone. That’s how we do business.”
DAN SPERAU, CFO AND CO-FOUNDER OF AUTOSLED
Auto Remarketing is a news source and magazine that reports on used vehicle trends and automotive industry news in the United States and Canada. The Auto Remarketing podcast is a weekly podcast about auto industry news, particularly on the used car side, and features prominent executives.
December 16, 2020, Rockville, Md.- Autosled, Inc., the digital vehicle logistics marketplace for automotive dealers, transporters, and consumers, has partnered with 20 Group Dealer Trades to provide exclusive transport support for the new and used cars traded amongst its members.
Autosled’s online logistics platform enables nationwide shipments with contactless delivery, real-time GPS tracking, and direct contact with Transporters. Through 20 Group Dealer Trades’ dealer direct platform, Franchise and Independent dealerships trade vehicles amongst its members. As the exclusive transportation provider for 20 Group Dealer Trades, Autosled’s pre-vetted network of transporters across the United States supply both open and enclosed transport.
“We appreciate the opportunity to align with cutting edge industry partners such as 20 Group Dealer Trades”, said David Sperau, CEO of Autosled. “As hard as it is to acquire frontline ready inventory, this is a no brainer for today’s automotive dealers. We look forward to supporting their growing network of dealers with the most reliable vehicle transport platform on the market”.
“20 Group Dealer Trades was created to increase dealership profitability and dispose of overage, pre-owned inventory through a Dealer to Dealer direct e-commerce model”, said Santosh Viswanathan, founder and CEO of 20 Group Dealer Trades. “We have now decided to incorporate new car inventory due to the same aging issues that retailers face with used cars. Instead of paying locator services for half of the hold back cost for each vehicle, automotive dealers pay a flat rate of $199 through 20 Group Dealer Trades. Thank you to Peter Fong, chief growth officer for Autosled, who has helped launch this partnership.”
About 20 Group Dealer Trades
20 Group Dealer Trades is the first members-only, dealer-direct platform that enables dealers to turn reconditioned inventory in an efficient and convenient way. 20 Group Dealer Trades was founded by Santosh Viswanathan, owner of Ford and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram stores, for dealers looking to trade reconditioned, frontline ready units. Comprising both Franchise and Independent dealerships, 20 Group Dealer Trades provides full mechanical inspections, vehicle transport, ACH payments and floor planning. For more information, or to become a 20 Group Dealer Trades member, please visit: www.20groupdealertrades.com.
About Autosled
Autosled provides dealers, transporters, auctioneers, brokers, and individuals that are relocating with seamless, efficient, and digital vehicle transport options. New and used cars, trucks, motorcycles, classic and luxury vehicles are all regularly shipped nationwide. Autosled offers enclosed and open transport as well as door-to-door shipping to both residences and businesses. The software allows dealers to reduce paperwork and miscommunication- allowing dealers to save time and move inventory off of their lots quicker. Autosled’s services include custom price quotes, secure online payments, electronic accounting and invoicing, vehicle shipments scheduled online, verified transporter insurance, and a vetted network of transporters. Every vehicle shipped through Autosled is protected, with real-time GPS vehicle tracking, and instant communication with transporters throughout the shipping process. For more information, visit www.autosled.com.
