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Car Hauling: Should You Have Your Car Transported Via The Top Or Bottom Tray?

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. Car Hauling Should You Have Your Car Transported Via The Top Or Bottom Tray?
  2. Car Hauling Should you have your car transported via the top or bottom tray?
  3. Top tray
  4. Bottom tray
Car Transporting By A1 Auto Transport

Car Hauling: Should You Have Your Car Transported Via The Top Or Bottom Tray?

When shipping cars, you are looking for the safest and most reliable shipping method. Auto shipping companies like A1 Auto Transport offer car hauling services in stacked trailers. Many decisions are made when doing interstate shipping using open air transport, including whether you should ship your car on the top or bottom tray.

A car carrier trailer is used to haul many automobiles at the same time. This is the best and most economical way of long distance moving. Some shipping companies offer auto transport via car haulers that have stacking options. This means that the cars may be placed on the top tray or the bottom tray. The new models of these car carrier trailers can ferry up to 12 vehicles.

The design of the rigs provides for 8 vehicles to be placed on the top tray and 4 vehicles to be placed on the bottom tray. These ramps are operated using hydraulic systems and by tilting them, the spacing between one vehicle and the one under it can be maximized.

A vehicle falling off the trays is a highly unlikely occurrence. The vehicles are secured to the trailer using four sets of straps. This is done by making use of the preexisting tie-down holes in the vehicle. The chain connecting the vehicle to the trailer may be mounted at an angle by some auto transport companies. Less invasive mounting techniques are used when working with high-end automobiles. Each wheel is strapped down to the trailer with high strength straps. Scratches and dents to the chassis of the car can be prevented in this way.

A-1 Auto Transport can help you move your household goods nationwide. Call 888-241-3110 to get a free, no obligation to buy price quote on interstate moving services.

Car Hauling: Should you have your car transported via the top or bottom tray?

Top tray

Shipping a car on the top tray is advantageous because the car will not be exposed to any leaking of oils from other vehicles.

Cars on these trays are however, exposed to harsh weather elements.

Bottom tray

Cars on the bottom tray are less exposed to perils such as being hit by tree branches or debris.

However, they are more exposed to oil leaks that may damage their body.

The decision to ship your car on the top or bottom tray will be based on the perils you would like to avoid, especially during long distance moves. You can also get informed on how car hauling on car trailers works so as to determine if this will be suitable for your car. It is advisable not to ship luxury cars on the bottom tray of trucks because this exposes them to the risk of oil leaks. Also, while some long distance movers charge an extra fee so as to give you a top rack placement guarantee, consider if this cost will benefit you. Should you opt not to risk shipping your car in either the top or bottom tray, you may consider the more costly option of closed transportation or open auto transport shipping that has the non-stacking option.

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
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...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.

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A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!

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Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
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There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.

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We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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