Flatbed Auto Transport

1. What Is Flatbed Auto Transport?
2. What Is It Used For?
3. Make Sure To Plan Ahead
4. Expect Higher Costs

The vast majority of transportation services offered domestically involve either open or enclosed trailers, as both are able to transport most types of vehicles. However, there are times when neither type of trailer will suffice, which is when flatbed auto transport comes into play. It's far from a common transport option, but nonetheless, it is available if your circumstances require it.

What is Flatbed Auto Transport?

Flatbed auto transport is exactly as it sounds. It features a flatbed trailer that is attached to a truck, similar to an open or enclosed trailer and can come in various lengths and widths, provided that they meet road regulations. It's a seldom-used service, especially today.

What Is It Used For?

Even though flatbed trailers can technically carry standard vehicles on them, they're usually only used to transport specific vehicles that won't fit anywhere else. Some of the types of vehicles in which flatbed trailers would be required are:

• Cargo vans;
• Oversized pickup trucks;
• Limousines;
• Specialized construction vehicles (bulldozers, cranes, and so forth);
• Commercial vehicles, including buses;
• Vehicles that can no longer operate.

Basically, any type of vehicle that is too tall, long, or wide to fit on open or enclosed trailers might require flatbed auto transport services. The majority of those who might have the need for flatbed auto transport would be businesses.

Make Sure to Plan Ahead

Flatbed auto transport, as mentioned, is not that common. This means that you'll need to plan ahead if you require a flatbed trailer. The reasons are that:

• Carriers do not have them readily available;
• They're only generally used to transport one vehicle at a time;
• They're not a part of regular routes.

To rephrase, your pickup and delivery window will expand if you need to schedule flatbed auto transport. It's not as simple as calling a carrier and having it come pick you up on its regular route, as is the case with regular shipping choices. Instead, you'll need to arrange for a flatbed trailer to take up just your car. In addition, flatbed auto transport is not typically requested, hence many auto transport businesses do not provide it. You may need to make a few phone calls before you find a suitable business.

Expect Higher Costs

Many of the same reasons that cause flatbed auto transport to have longer shipping times than standard auto transport are also the same reasons why it costs more. Because of the arrangements that the auto transport carrier has to make, you can expect to pay much more for flatbed auto transport. Not having the ability to transport multiple vehicles at once means that carriers have to charge more. After all, they certainly have to make a profit.

If you're in need of flatbed auto transport services, contact A-1 Auto Transport today. We'll do our best to ensure that we can accommodate you. Plus, make sure to get your free no obligation quote!