What Is Open-Air Transport?

Open-Air Transport

Shifting to a new place of work or relocating overseas comes with difficulties. Household goods and other valuables may not be a problem. However, getting your car to the other side could pose a challenge. It is either you are worried about the mode of transport or the cost involved. Perhaps you could drive all the way and save some cash, you ponder. Yet even as you do, have you thought carefully about the price of gas?

You could end up spending twice what it would have cost you to hire a professional auto transporter.

What does this shipment type entail?

Open-air transport involves the use of trucks that are not enclosed. An open-air lorry is easy to identify. The truck’s length is about 80 feet with a two-tier trailer. If one passes nearby, you can see cars neatly arranged on the lower and upper decks. The trailer does not have a roof and is not enclosed on the sides hence the term “open-air.”

Why is this type of auto transport a favorite?

When they use an open trailer, transporters can haul between 8-10 cars in one trip. Owing to the size of these trucks, they can only pass through certain roads. The route must be determined in advance to avoid places with low clearance bridges, power cables, and tree branches. Car importers and retailers love these trailers because of their ability to transport many cars at a low cost. Having your car ferried in an open trailer will cost less than if it was in an enclosed trailer.

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Open-air truck downside

The main disadvantage of the open-air auto transport is that it exposes your vehicle to the sun, snow, heat and other harsh weather elements. Failure to protect your car from rain or sunlight can lead to its paint coming off. Also, heat swings could cause cracks in the windshield. Then there is the problem of security; how do you keep these cars away from prying fingers? Car stereos are a favorite among thieves. Someone could steal your highly-prized auto stereo and set you back many months of saving.

Dispelling the fears

While you may think that safety is a big issue with open-air auto transportation, you could be wrong. First, the shipment personnel carefully drive the cars up the ramps. They then fasten each securely to hooks on the ramp floor. When it comes to exposure to weather elements and its effects, this is no different from when you drive your car along any road. Then keep in mind that this mode of shipping is very affordable.

Open-air trailers have a higher cargo capacity than other truck auto shipment techniques. Ten cars in one haulage is a good number. Exposure to weather and security threats are some of the shortcomings. However, the risk is the same even if you decide to drive the car yourself rather than giving it to a shipper. More importantly, an open-air trailer service is less pricey in comparison to the closed trailers.