So when you want to ship your car somewhere, the weight of the vehicle is the main thing that decides the price of the whole process. We see that car moving rates not only depend on the miles between the starting and ending points but also on how heavy the vehicle is. If you know what kind of weight is involved in the pricing of car transport services, then you will be able to make a plan and budget for your carshipping requirements easily.
In this article, we explain the connection between car transport rates and vehicle weight, the reasons behind this relationship, and the ways to deal with this mode when you are shipping your vehicle.
Why Does Weight Affect Car Transport Rates?
One of the main reasons why car transport rates depend on the vehicle weight is that the transport company will have to pay more fuel costs and other logistics costs. Besides, the volume of the carrier and the general planning of the transport are among the logistics that cause the fuel cost to go up. So, the main reason for which it is more “critical” to use the car weight as the transport rates is to give us the detailed explanation of total and weighted ways of shipping prices besides just the listing of rates we would normally find in catalogues.
- Increased Fuel Costs
A vehicle in heavy weight is a transport truck that needs more fuel so it can move the vehicle to a different location; hence, the transport company has to pay for more fuel than usual. This extra fuel cost, in turn, gets passed to the customer, who has to pay more for shipping. SUVs and trucks being large and heavy generally cost more to ship than the usual-sized cars are the main reasons for this increased fuel consumption during transportation.
Larger vehicles: These vehicles will consume more fuel during the transport, and as a result, they will usually have higher transportation rates.
Smaller vehicles: Lighter vehicles like compact cars and sedans will require less fuel and so will have lower shipping costs in general.
Transport companies use these fuel expenses as one of the factors when deciding the final shipping price for the vehicle.
- Transport Carrier Capacity and Load Limits
Transport carriers or open carriers, in particular, are limited by weight as their capacity or size is measured in terms of weight. Simply put, the heavier the vehicle, the less will be the space for other vehicles. In case you want to ship a heavy vehicle, the transport company might be required to go for a carrier with a greater weight capacity which means that the rates will get higher.
Open carriers are the most popular means of automobile transportation and the usual maximum number of cars that can be loaded is eight to ten. When the vehicle is too heavy, it takes up most of the available space and the number of cars that can be shipped is limited.
Enclosed carriers are safe and protective; still, weight restrictions are applicable. Heavier vehicles may be given new and unique ways of transportation, but such solutions could be accompanied by additional charges.
The general rule is that the more the carrier will have to weigh, the higher the amount that you will be required to pay. The case is especially with big vehicles such as trucks, vans, or luxury cars.
- Increased Risk and Insurance Costs
Heavy automobiles can be the source of additional hazards during their transportation. Their dimensions together with weight can be the cause of the vehicle getting damaged or even in an accident, especially when the handling part is involved. Due to these factors transportation companies might need to ask for a higher insurance policy that will cover them if any incident happens and this will result in higher shipping rates. The higher part of the insurance cost is reflected in the final price the customer will pay.
Risk of damage: The bigger and heavier vehicles may be loaded or unloaded in a more careful manner, and this could lead to a higher liability insurance cost.
Specialized carriers: The heavy or the large vehicles may become lighter with the use of special equipment such as flatbeds or custom transport carriers, but at the same time, the cost of shipping also gets higher.
- Distance and Route Considerations
The weight of an item can affect the delivery time. The process of loading and unloading heavy vehicles may take hours thus the delivery will be slowed down. Apart from that, if your car is to be shipped over a long distance or if the route is steep, then the weight of the vehicle is going to make the transport slower. This slow-down in shipping times may lead to a increase in the total shipping costs.
Longer routes: If a vehicle is heavy, then the shipping of that vehicle for a long time will be slow and as a result, the transport costs will be high.
Unfriendly terrain: The heavy car may be disassembled and loaded on special vehicles to pass through narrow roads or steep places thereby increasing the transport costs due to the time taken.
How to Manage Weight-Related Costs in Car Transport
Knowing how the shipment of a car affects the prices and is the main thing to be kept in mind. But, the fact that it is just as important to deal with the costs efficiently. Below are a few pointers that will help you lower your shipping expenses:
- Ship Smaller or Lighter Vehicles
In case it is possible to you, first of all, a smaller and lighter car will definitely be the way to go if you want to save on shipping costs. If you are buying a car, it would be better to pick a light model to be able to save on transportation costs. Besides, the light cars have less chance to be damaged during the transportation process thus making you pay less for the insurance.
- Think of Using an Open Transport for Lighter Cars
Suppose your vehicle is small and doesn’t require additional protection; in that case, selecting an open transport might be the right way to save a good amount of money. Open transport is usually cheaper than enclosed transport because it can load more vehicles at once and does not require special carriers. However, the only thing to be reminded of is the fact that your car will be fully exposed to the elements while being transported.
- Group Shipments for Several Cars
If you have more than one vehicle to ship and their weights are roughly the same, then a group shipment may be your best option. Most car transport companies are open to giving discounts on multiple car shipping. Such savings can then be used to rebalance the high shipping cost of your heavy vehicle.
- Get Quotes from Multiple Transport Companies
For a great bargain, it would be wise to ask several car shipping companies for a quote. There are some carriers who may provide you with a discount depending on the weight, the route, or the time of the year. By comparing the quotes, you can not only find a company which gives you the most affordable prices but also be assured about the safety and the trustworthiness of the vehicle’s transport.
- Consider Delayed Shipping
When you can be flexible with your delivery timetable, you might be able to save some money by picking a longer turnaround transport service. The bulk of transport companies give lower rates for non-urgent shipments. It is because of heavy vehicles that are expensive to be shipped quickly that selecting delayed shipping could be the way to lower your costs.
Conclusion
Weight is one of the most influential factors that decide the price of car transport. Basically, heavier car transports are usually linked with various higher costs arising from increased fuel costs, the need for special equipment and higher insurance rates. Still, as you get to know how weight impacts the shipping process and use the cost management strategies, you will be able to have a vehicle transport that will be less costly and more convenient.
Car Shipping Auto offers dependable and budget-friendly car shipping services that take into account the weight of your vehicle and provide customized pricing options. The professional team of our company will cooperate with you regardless of whether you have a small car or an overgrown truck in order to provide the best shipping solution at a reasonable price. Contact us now for a free estimate and let us take care of your safe and timely delivery.
