Transporting car - wear & tear

[mclasser]

My parents are moving cross country and will have their car professionally transported. Assuming the car is properly secured and all, are there any concerns about wear and tear on the tires, suspension, etc.? I'm going to have them air up the tires to like 42 PSI. I know cars are transported new from the factory but was wondering if it can exacerbate wear on one that already has 80,000 miles.

 

[Kira]

I wouldn't fret that...but I would take a very complete set of photos of the entire car just in case you need to make a claim.

Maybe their ramps can, in some cases, result in scuffed tires.
Also, I always wondered if highway airstreams and dirt could 'sandblast' paint.

 

[KrisZ]

The only wear and tear would be from an unattentive transporter who can damage the car during loading and unloading process.

Had my old Mazda 3 transported from Ontario, Canada to California, there were no issues

 

[KrisZ]

Also, I always wondered if highway airstreams and dirt could 'sandblast' paint.

It’s not different than following a semi. There is no reason to imagine potential problems where there is literally none. Any damage would be from a negligent operator, not the act of being transported.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Photo/video everything and inspect everything on arrival. Wear and tear - not likely. Damage - very common.

 

[andrew_j]

Is it being towed with wheels on ground? Or is being transported on a trailer ?

 

[97prizm]

Make sure it's a well known reputable business with good insurance. Last year a "cheap" car transport company ruined several expensive cars notably a Porsche 911 after the trailer caught fire.

 

[SC Maintenance]

What kind of car, and how are they moving?

I did a corporate move years ago, and the movers stuck my car in their trailer with all my stuff. They had special ramps and then special shelves so they could put stuff above the cars. One was damaged anyway, but they paid. If there getting pro movers for their goods you might want to ask if they do cars. I had smaller cars at the time so they fit. I imagine an F150 would not have.

 

[opus1]

As already said, take pictures and lots of them. The carrier will probably take some too, at least the one that transported my nephew's car did, but you definitely want your own set.

I don't recall him having any problems, other than the pickup/delivery window was a bit fluid, and, on this end at least, we had to meet the driver at a Cabela's lot near the interstate to hand over the car.

 

[svtrit]

My biggest concern would be the condition of the trailer and truck pulling it. We move trucks around for work and hire companies to do it. Bad tires, missing fenders, Russian, Romanian, and Ukrainian drivers that barely speak English are the norm.

None of our trucks have been damaged, thankfully, and it’s fun hand signaling conversations with the drivers, who are good people. The conditions of the truck do make me nervous.

 

[andrew_j]

My biggest concern would be the condition of the trailer and truck pulling it. We move trucks around for work and hire companies to do it. Bad tires, missing fenders, Russian, Romanian, and Ukrainian drivers that barely speak English are the norm.

None of our trucks have been damaged, thankfully, and it’s fun hand signaling conversations with the drivers, who are good people. The conditions of the truck do make me nervous.

A friend buys on FB and sells vehicle eventually on bring a trailer(quality high end interesting stuff).

He uses these transporters all the time and it works out fine.

 

[repairman54]

You get what you pay for with transporters. Note the carriers car collectors use to transport vehicles to the big auctions all the time if you want the best service. I wouldn't ship open trailer or with a behind a dually pickup trailer setup.
I shipped a '17 Continental in '19 from NM to NJ with Intercity Lines. Clean truck and professional driver. Worth the few more bucks for a quality company. Gave me delivery time and location updates regularly also. Driver even dusted off the car once unloaded and uncovered it.

 

[Astro14]

There are a lot of really good transporters. I’ve shipped the Packard across the country, twice. A Volvo from Colorado to Virginia. A Mercedes from California to Virginia. All were just fine on arrival.