PCS with Two Cars

1. Your Available DIY Options for Military Moving [Two Cars At Once]
2. Drive Separately
3. Seek Help
4. Consider Towing
5. Make Multiple Trips
6. What to Expect From the Shipping Process of Your Two Cars During the PCS?
7. Step 1 Finding a Suitable Shipping Service
8. Step 2 Understand the Cost and Timeframe of Your Shipping
9. Step 3 Coordinate with Your Shipping Company to Perform the Relocation
10. Pick-up
11. Drop-off
12. Can I Pack My Cars with Stuff While Shipping Them to the Next Duty Station?
13. Do I require a Power of Attorney While Helping Navigate a Military Person’s Car(s) During a PCS?
14. Preparing Your Cars for Shipment
15. Documentation
16. Washing and Cleaning
17. Things You Can Leave Inside Your Car
18. Some Must-Dos before You Let Your Car(s) Go with the Shipper
19. Conclusion

Moving is already challenging (even for civilians), but when you are associated with armed forces, that means you don’t have time to sit back and relax.

You have to move IMMEDIATELY!

There’d be a lot to deal with during your move. For example, rules and regulations to follow and a heck of paperwork to do. That’s already too much of a headache. Meanwhile, shipping two of your cars can add to your PCSing troubles. Thus, we have decided to take at least one of your burdens off by covering your options to PCS with two cars.

In this guide, we’ll cover your possible options for PCSing with your two cars and how to prepare your vehicles for the military move.

Let’s get started!

Your Available DIY Options for Military Moving [Two Cars At Once]

PCSing with two cars at once is a REAL challenge. Sure thing!

But, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options available to move both cars at once. You have several options to carry with them.

The military doesn’t cover the cost of shipping your cars no matter what option you opt for. However, you can claim taxes as a moving expense and mileage reimbursement later in some cases.

Drive Separately

Have two cars and two adults in the family? That’s the perfect combination to move your duo towards the next destination. Driving two cars separately with a co-diver is the ideal and by far the cheapest way to relocate your two vehicles at once.

It’s a time-consuming option, though.

Seek Help

When you have two cars but don’t have another driving partner in the family, seeking help from a friend or neighbour can be the way to transport both your cars at once.

You might have to contribute a little bit of money to compensate for your helping hands.

Whether you drive with one of your family members or ask for someone’s help to drive your car to the next duty station, you’ll have to coordinate with your counterpart to stop at the gas station, restroom, or for a night stay at lodgings.

Consider Towing

So, you have no other adult at home to drive your second car with you, and unfortunately, you couldn’t find any help as well. In this situation towing your one car can be a wise option. Rent a trailer, tow your one car with other belongings and drive the other.

Make Multiple Trips

Okay, you might think making multiple trips to transport your car to the next destination isn’t a practical option (We second that!). But, it will work in some conditions.

For example, moving with your family and getting your second car moved simultaneously can increase your stress level. So, you can move one of your cars to the next destination beforehand. Then, come back, relax, and drive the second one with the family. That’s it!

This multiple trip idea works the best when the distance between the two destinations is minimal.

What to Expect From the Shipping Process of Your Two Cars During the PCS?

Believe it or not, shipping two cars during the PCS is one of the hottest topics that is often being discussed in the PCS-ing forums and Facebook groups. And, if you are about to move with your two vehicles, we hope you can feel how stressful it can be to carry more than one vehicle simultaneously.

Let’s get back to the point.

When you have considered all the DIY options, still couldn’t find a perfect fit for your move, the best way to move your vehicles is to ship them with the help of professional shipping service.

Yes, you won’t be getting any funds to cover your shipping expenses, but the shipping expenses will save you from stress.

Here’s how the whole shipping process of navigating your two cars in the meantime goes by.

Step 1: Finding a Suitable Shipping Service

You have to find a suitable shipping service provider to relocate your vehicles first.

Selecting a car shipping company that frequently makes such trips with military persons is essential as they are familiar with the rules and regulations of your shipment and can lead the overall procedure professionally.

One best way is to join some military spouse Facebook groups or forums and ask for recommendations. There you’ll get to know some of the best shipping service providers.

Once you gather some viable options, learn more about all those shipping service providers on the internet. Read about their terms and conditions.

Step 2: Understand the Cost and Timeframe of Your Shipping

The distance between two locations more likely determines shipping rates. Moreover, shipping timelines and costs can vary based on the services of different companies and times of the year.

Usually, the PCS season is SUPER BUSY, and your preferred dates and delivery timeframe might not be available. Therefore, make your PCS plan a tad bit flexible regarding cost and delivery timeline.

Step 3: Coordinate with Your Shipping Company to Perform the Relocation

Your shipping service provider will let you know about the pick-up date and delivery timeframe upfront so that you can keep preparing yourself accordingly. Staying in contact with your delivery driver to get updates is the key to making the transition smoother.

Pick-up:

Some shipping service providers might come to pick your vehicles by themselves on the pick-up date, while some might require you to reach a nearby base or any landmark location.

Drop-off:

The same will happen on the drop-off date. For example, your delivery driver might deliver your vehicles to your preferred address, or they might ask you to come and receive your cars at a central location.

Can I Pack My Cars with Stuff While Shipping Them to the Next Duty Station?

Yes, you can (but you shouldn’t).

Technically, packing your car with additional items is allowed while shipping, but it’s not an ideal option to move your other belongings along with the cars being shipped.

Here’s why...

First of all, your car will be exposed to extreme weather conditions, fluctuating temperatures, dirt, debris, and whatnot during the move. Hence, moving anything that might react to the deviating temperatures is not an intelligent choice.

Secondly, the additional items packed in the car can add to the weight of your vehicle.

Lastly, the delivery drivers will stop at multiple points to refuel their trailer or relax. These breaks make your belongings susceptible to theft.

Therefore, transporting your cars empty is the best bet.

Do I require a Power of Attorney While Helping Navigate a Military Person’s Car(s) During a PCS?

Having a Power of Attorney (POA) is the best practice when you are helping someone out in moving their car (either dropping it for shipping or receiving the shipment) during their PCS. Having a Power of Attorney (POA) is the best practice.

When you have a Power of Attorney along, it proves that you have the authorization to execute the contract. In addition, you can tell your shipping company about the situation that you are dropping or receiving the shipment on someone else’s behalf can also save you from any potential difficulty.

Preparing Your Cars for Shipment

When navigating towards your next permanent charge station, you need to prepare your vehicles for the move.

Documentation:

Keep all your documents ready. These are the necessary documents that you need to keep handy:

• Proof of Entitlement
• Proof of Identity
• Proof of Ownership of Your Vehicle(s)
• The Contract between You and Your Shipping Company

Washing and Cleaning:

Wash the exterior of your car and remove all personal belongings from the vehicle. Also, consider eliminating any accessories your vehicle has, such as loose audio or video navigation equipment.

Once you have removed all the extras from your car, vacuum cleans the interior of your vehicle.

If you are looking forward to cleaning/shampooing your car’s interior, it would be best if you do it all at least 14 days before the move so that on a moving day, your vehicle is completely dry and free of moisture.

Things You Can Leave Inside Your Car:

Although we recommend completely evacuating your car for transportation, there are still some items that you can leave inside your vehicle. For example:

• Hand Tools (Must not exceed $200 in value)
• Jacks
• Tire Irons
• Fire Extinguisher
• Jumper Cable
• A Spare Tire
• Baby Car Seats

Some Must-Dos before You Let Your Car(s) Go with the Shipper.

Take a look at some things that you “Must-Do” while shipping your car(s):

1. Keep the fuel level up to 1/4th of the tank or less.
2. Provide a complete set of keys. The collection includes Ignition Keys, Door Keys, Trunk Keys, Gas Cap Keys, Wheel Lock, etc.
3. Your vehicle(s) should be in safe, operable conditions.
4. Make sure your vehicle(s) have NO leaks.
5. Double-check the windshields of your car(s) are not cracked.

Conclusion:

With that, we have come to the end of the whole procedure of PCSing with two cars.

Moving is complicated, and it becomes even more complex with two cars.

But, remember, hearing the experiences of those who have already PCS’d will help you a ton in deciding the best option for you to move with your two vehicles.

Happy PCSing!