Transporting an upgraded, modified or custom car requires more preparation, more protection and the right auto shipping company. Customizing with a lowered suspension, wide body kit, oversized tires, high performance engine upgrades, custom paint, or aftermarket parts can require a different level of protection and care than a stock vehicle. In understanding shipping modified or custom cars, it is important that your one-off car gets treated with care.
At CarShippingAuto.com, we ship custom show cars, performance cars, lifted and lowered trucks, and fully customized cars and trucks regularly. Here is a thorough breakdown on how to properly ship your vehicle, the best methods of transport, and ways to protect your custom car from pickup to delivery.
Why Modified and Custom Cars Require Special Handling
Because custom vehicles are unique, transporting them may take more effort or be more complicated.
Key Reasons They Need Special Care:
- Lower ground clearance increases the risk of scraping
- Wide or extended body kits require extra loading clearance
- Expensive custom paint needs protection from debris
- Aftermarket parts must be secured during transit
- Oversized tires or lifted suspensions require special equipment
- High-performance cars may need soft straps or non-abrasive tie-downs
Professional carriers that transport specialty automobiles and know how to deal with them must transport modified cars.
Step 1: Choose the Right Transport Type for Maximum Protection
Choosing a shipping method in light of the modifications made to the car is critical in transporting modified or customized cars safely.
Enclosed Auto Transport (Highly Recommended)
Enclosed transport has full protection on every side and is the safest way to transport a custom vehicle.
Benefits Include:
- Shields paint and body from weather, dust, and road debris
- Ideal for show cars and high-value models
- Provides hydraulic lift gates for safe loading
- Offers soft tie-downs for scratch-free transport
If your vehicle has custom paintwork, rare components, or anything else that is particularly fragile enclosed shipping is recommended.
Open Transport (For Certain Modified Vehicles)
Open transport is mostly safe and inexpensive, even for cars with light modifications such as factory tuning, bigger wheels or a performance package. Some cars with aftermarket paint jobs or very low ground clearance cannot travel on an open carrier. Custom car modifications may mandate enclosed transport. Specialty transport or flatbed trailers might be necessary on occasion and may be the only option if the car could not be driven onto the carrier.
Flatbed Is Recommended For:
- Oversized tires
- Extremely low sports cars
- Wide-body kits
- Custom trucks
- Cars with unusual shapes or dimensions
Flatbed trucks provide additional footprint, stability, and clearance overall.
Step 2: Confirm Carrier Expertise and Equipment
Not every auto transport company has experience transporting customized vehicles so confirmation is best before booking the company for the job.
Essential Qualifications:
- Experience in transporting modified and rare vehicles
- Access to lift-gate trailers (not standard ramps)
- Non-abrasive soft straps and wheel nets
- Knowledge of low-clearance loading
- Proper insurance coverage for high-value cars
- Excellent customer reviews for specialty transport
You should consider a company familiar with specialty shipping if the value of your car is greater than $50,000 or if it has meaningful modifications.
Step 3: Prepare Your Modified or Custom Vehicle for Transport
Preparing cars is important during the shipping of modified or custom cars because they often have parts that people must secure carefully and document before shipping.
Document the Vehicle Thoroughly
Photograph and videotape all the action from all possible angles.
- Custom parts
- Paint condition
- Undercarriage
- Interior upgrades
Documentation can protect you in the event of a claim.
Remove or Secure Loose Custom Parts
Many custom additions are movable when transported.
Secure or Remove:
- Front splitters
- Rear diffusers
- Spoilers
- Roof racks
- Wide mirrors
- Custom lights
- Aerodynamic parts
If components can be easily removed, pack and ship separately at that point.
Check Ground Clearance
Your transport company needs to know if your car is lower than 4 inches or 10 cm because specialized lift gate trailers or flatbeds might be required.
Inspect Tires, Brakes, and Battery
Your vehicle must be:
- Able to roll
- Able to brake
- Able to steer
- Able to start
- Safe to load
Dead batteries, overinflated tires, and fluid leaks can also obstruct transport.
Remove Personal Items
Some custom cars have tools or parts for shows. Remove everything not installed by the factory.
Step 4: Understand Insurance Coverage for Custom Cars
Common questions about specialty auto shipping insurance include whether aftermarket parts are covered, what the carrier will cover per vehicle, if you can purchase extra specialty coverage, and if custom paint, rare upgrades, and one-off modifications are covered at full value. Most common carrier policies only cover a vehicle’s value as it is stated on the VIN and do not cover a vehicle’s full value after aftermarket modifications. If you want full protection for your vehicle and have many aftermarket upgrades, it may be best to purchase specialty auto shipping insurance.
Step 5: Discuss Your Vehicle’s Modifications in Detail
This helps the transport company choose the best trailer, equipment, and loading method for the vehicle. Inform your carrier about the lowered suspension, wide body kit, large wing or spoiler, aftermarket wheels or tires, air suspension system, performance modifications that may make loading your vehicle more difficult, or delicate body parts that may be damaged during transit for your car.
Step 6: Delivery Day – Inspect Your Vehicle Carefully
When your vehicle arrives, you should thoroughly inspect it with the driver.
Check:
- Paint and body condition
- Undercarriage
- Wheels and tires
- Custom components
- Functionality of suspension and electronics
Compare to your pre-shipment photos and immediately note any discrepancies on your Bill of Lading (BOL).
Why Choose CarShippingAuto.com for Modified or Custom Car Transport?
For vehicles that need extra attention, we deliver your vehicle fully covered in an enclosed trailer with specially trained drivers with specialized lift-gate loading for low-clearance vehicles, custom tie-down equipment, fully insured, on time and easily trackable, to and from your door. Whether you’re moving a show car, restored classic, high-maintenance tuner, specialty build or fully customized truck, Elite’s professional staff will treat your vehicle with the utmost care and respect from the moment it leaves your driveway until it arrives at your destination.
Protect Your Investment With the Right Shipping Plan
When it comes to shipping modified and custom vehicles, the right shipping method, vehicle preparation, and insurance will ensure you are shipping modified or custom cars safely every time.
CarShippingAuto.com will handle your transport needs and assure that your custom vehicle arrives safely. Trust that we can transport your custom vehicle!
Visit CarShippingAuto.com for a specialty vehicle transport quote today to transport your vehicle safely and securely.
