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Military personnel receiving PCS orders have the option of using Personally Procured Transportation (auto shipping) services as part of their vehicle shipping strategy. These companies specialize in working with military families to ease this process.
Loading and unloading
When it comes to military vehicle transport, you have a few different options available to you.
Based on the type of vehicle being shipped, open, enclosed or flatbed transport services may be best; costs for these will depend on which option is chosen. Typically, open transport will be the least costly while enclosed or flatbed shipping provides greater protection from weather elements – something worth investing in if transporting an expensive or exotic car.
If you’re transporting a car, truck or motorcycle yourself, make sure it is securely loaded and tied down before the transport company arrives. Use straps and chains or put it into a car carrier; ensure it isn’t overloaded or leaking oil or fluids into its chassis. If unsure of the weight of your cargo ask the shipping company to weigh it prior to loading for more accurate estimation of shipping costs.
When moving to an OCONUS base, be aware that the government will only reimburse one Personal Off Road Vehicle. You can click here to learn more. Professional military auto shipping services often make more financial sense and reduce stress when compared with driving your own POV. Plus, any money saved could go toward additional moving services or expenses.
What to Know Before Booking Car Shipping for Your POV
When moving as part of a PCS (Permanent Change of Station), car shipment costs should generally be covered by the government; however, certain criteria apply and certain costs must be covered prior to moving your POV. When considering military car shipping PCS costs, you must take into account that this depends on various factors, including vehicle make and model, travel distance, delivery timeframe, transport method and weather conditions affecting safety during transport.
Long distance car shipping services usually tend to cost more than local or regional moves due to longer transport distances between pickup and drop off locations and potential road incidents or delays during shipping.
Your vehicle’s condition will also have an impact on car shipping rates. Inoperable or damaged cars often require extra care from shipping companies when loading and unloading, driving up costs significantly and lengthening its journey cross-country.
Transporting your vehicle requires additional expenses, including fuel and towing fees. Fuel expenses tend to rise during summer months due to an increased demand for vehicle transport services; and towing fees apply when your car cannot fit inside a standard shipping container and needs to be transported on an oversize truck instead.
Cost of car shipping services depends heavily on a number of variables, including pick-up and drop-off locations, type of transport service chosen and time required to complete the process.
Door-to-door shipping is ideal for those wishing to avoid traveling great distances to collect their vehicle; enclosed car transport offers added protection from weather elements and traffic while providing better performance overall.
Vehicle shipping companies provide quotes for these additional services and costs during a pre-shipping consultation, but it is essential that all information about your vehicle be brought with you so that professionals can accurately assess its needs for relocation.
Military relocation car shipping companies can be difficult to come by, so when selecting one it is wise to select an established service with outstanding customer satisfaction ratings and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A top quality provider should offer multiple pricing tiers and options like gap protection that protect against major damages during transit.
If you need assistance arranging car shipping or have questions regarding an impending move, look for a company that offers free quotes and professional car transportation services to make the transition as smooth and safe as possible.
Preparing Your Car for Transport
Prepping your car for transport is integral to providing a positive vehicle shipping experience.
Wash your vehicle: A good, thorough wash is an important first step in auto transport preparation. Doing this will enable your carrier to inspect it more easily, while also uncovering any scratches or dents hidden by dirt that might otherwise go undetected.
Disarm the car alarm: Before giving your vehicle to a driver, be sure to disable its alarm. This will prevent it from unexpectedly going off during transit, potentially distracting him/her and delaying inspection.
Before giving the keys over, be sure to create a written record detailing any special handling instructions or mechanical issues. This can save both you and the driver time in the long run while providing documentation of any repairs needed in future.
Before transporting your car, ensure all fluid levels are topped up, such as oil, brake fluid, battery fluid and engine coolant. If any are low, be sure to top them up.