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Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
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“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

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Open transport vs. enclosed transport

Published by Joe Webster.

What's in this article?
  1. Difference between Open transport and enclosed transport
  2. Open transport vs enclosed transport
  3. Open transport
  4. Advantages of open transport
  5. Disadvantages of open transport
  6. Enclosed transport
  7. Advantages of enclosed transport
  8. Disadvantages of enclosed transport
  9. Making the choice
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Difference between Open transport and enclosed transport

Shipping of automobiles is a detailed process, with a lot of factors that need to be put into consideration. You have to look for a good long distance mover and also decide on the shipping option that would best suit your needs. The type of vehicle you are transporting will determine the transport method you will use. Many shipping companies, A1 Auto Transport included, offer clients with many auto transport shipping options, including open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport vs enclosed transport

While making your move, you need to make a lot of decisions. Among the decisions you need to make is whether to ship via open transport or enclosed transport.

Some state-to-state movers may offer you with both shipping options, and you may select either depending on your needs.

Open transport

The open transport method uses open-air trucks. There are no sides and there is no roof. Therefore, vehicles being transported are going to be exposed to the elements at all times. Most open auto transport trucks are between 75 and 80 feet long. They also have two levels with enough space to hold a row of cars on the top and also at the bottom (the bottom row being shorter).

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Advantages of open transport
  • It is more pocket friendly .
  • It has a lighter body which makes it more fuel efficient.
  • It offers better visibility, making it easier for the driver to inspect the vehicles while on transit.
Disadvantages of open transport

Less protection: The cars being transported will be exposed to road debris, weather elements and risks such as falling tree branches.

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.

Enclosed transport

Enclosed auto transport is done in trucks which have a fully enclosed trailer. Protection is provided by the safe and secure enclosure created by the roof and four sides.

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Advantages of enclosed transport
  • Security: These trailers offer security that's required when transporting expensive vehicles.
  • Protection: Enclosed trailers offer protection against theft and the elements of weather as well as harm from debris.
Disadvantages of enclosed transport
  • Expensive: Due to the added security and protection offered by this method of transport, this option is more costly.
  • Less fuel-efficient: This is a heavy body. It will consume more fuel.
  • Less visibility: It will be harder for the driver to make routine inspections while in-transit.

Making the choice

When it comes to choosing between the two - open transport or enclosed transport, the main determinant will be the level of security that is required to ship your vehicle.

Enclosed transport is the best option for the highly valuable cars such as collector or antique cars. However, if you are shipping an old model of a car, an open transport truck will be good enough. You will have to research on the best rates that will apply to your move.

Requesting for quotes from the shipping companies is a good way to get the estimated cost of your move and to determine if the movers will provide you with a reasonably priced service.

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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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Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★

...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.

Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★

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!

Testimonial by Cristine Benoit
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★

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.

Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★

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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