Can I Ship my Generator on my Own?

While it is possible to transport your generator yourself, it is not recommended. Not only would you need to buy relevant equipment, but you would also need expertise; otherwise, you risk damaging your generator. Using a shipping company's services is much more convenient and reliable.

Is it expensive getting my generator shipped?

It typically costs some hundred dollars to transport residential generators, but in the case of big industrial generators, it can be up to thousands of dollars for shipping. Usually, companies charge the cost of transporting a generator at a per-mile rate. Shorter trips have a high rate per mile. On the other hand, there is a lower per-mile rate for longer trips, but it will still cost more overall because a more considerable distance is being covered. Movers consider many factors in the cost of shipping a generator like a heavier generator will be more expensive to ship. Similarly, shipping at a domestic level will be cheaper than sending overseas.

How do I prepare my Generator for shipping?

If there are any specific instructions from your generator manufacturer, you must adhere to them. You must take some general steps before you ship a generator of any size; these include taking photos of the generator, draining fluids, and locking and securing all doors and latches. Companies recommend taking pictures of your generator in case it is damaged during the journey. If you have photos, it will be easy to prove the damage that happened during transportation, and you will be able to receive compensation from the shipping company. Draining the fluids is essential because they damage your generator when fluids leak. Most shipping companies require you to drain your generator before they transport it for you. You must secure your generator's doors, latches, and other loose elements. If you don't, there could be damage to your generator. Usually, the responsibility to weatherproof the generator and take steps to secure it lies with the transport broker.

How is my Generator going to be Transported to its destination place?

Typically a flatbed such as RGN, removable gooseneck, lowboy, or step-deck flatbed is used to transport large industrial and commercial generators. These generators usually weigh tens of thousands of pounds and are too massive for the movers to load into a standard semi-trailer. These generators are mostly made to be installed outside and have resistance to the elements, so you don't have to use a covered trailer. You don't need anything other than a flatbed for transporting your generator to the desired destination. You will need to work with the company shipping your generator to ensure it is adequately unloaded when it reaches its destination. In many cases, the shipping company is not willing to unload the generator for you, so you will have to hire an adequate number of people and buy the needed equipment to assist in unloading the generator safely.

Shipping A Generator

What's in this article?

How Are Residential Generators Shipped?
How Are Industrial Generators Shipped?
How Much Will I Pay To Ship A Generator?
How Should I Prepare A Generator For Shipping?
Need Generator Transportation Services? Contact A-1 Auto Transport Today!

Pay To Ship A Generator with sound attenuated enclosure

Whether you want to ship a residential generator to your property, or you're looking to ship a generator as part of an industrial or commercial project, you may be wondering what to expect from the process. In this blog from A-1 Auto Transport, we'll answer a few common questions about shipping generators, including both residential, and industrial generators.

How Are Residential Generators Shipped?

All but the largest residential generators can be shipped using a standard semi-truck trailer. Most portable generators and standby generators are small enough that they can easily fit into a semi-truck, and be lifted out of the semi using a liftgate.

However, you may need to work with your shipping company or shipping broker to ensure that the generator set can be unloaded properly. In most cases, your generator shipping company will not unload the generator for you – so you may need several able-bodied people, handcarts, dollies, and other such equipment to unload the generator properly.

How Are Industrial Generators Shipped?

Large commercial and industrial generators are usually shipped on a flatbed trailer, such as an RGN (removable gooseneck), lowboy, or step-deck flatbed. Large industrial generators can often weigh tens of thousands of pounds, and are typically too large to be loaded into a standard semi-trailer.

Furthermore, these generators are often built to be deployed outside and to withstand the elements, thus a covered trailer is unnecessary. When it comes to transporting massive industrial and commercial generators, a flatbed is more than sufficient.

Large home generators can be shipped using the same kind of equipment as medium and small industrial generators. When they arrive at their destination, they are unloaded using a crane or construction fork truck and placed in an outdoor area or a dedicated machinery room.

Shipping an industrial generator with natural gas option

How Much Will I Pay To Ship A Generator?

The answer can vary quite a bit, from a few hundred dollars for a small, residential standby generator, to thousands of dollars to ship a large industrial generator. Typically, generator shipping is charged at a per-mile rate, with shorter trips having a higher per-mile rate. In contrast, longer trips will have a lower per-mile rate, but will still cost more, since more distance is being covered.

There are a lot of different factors that can affect the cost of shipping a generator. Here are just a few of them.

LTL shipping for smaller generators – Some smaller commercial or residential generators may be shipped using LTL (Less than truckload) shipping. This means that your generator will be shipped with other freight, since it won't take up a full flatbed or semi-trailer. This results in a lower cost for your shipment, but is not practical for large shipments.
Total weight and dimensions – A heavier, larger generator will always be more expensive to ship, particularly if it exceeds oversize load regulations. In contrast, smaller and lighter units will not be as costly to ship.
Additional insurance – You may need to purchase additional insurance depending on the value of your generator, freight agreement, and coverage limits provided by the transport company. Always inquire about coverage limits so that you can ensure you're covered in the rare event of an accident during the shipping process. control panel
Domestic vs. international shipping – Domestic generator shipping is much more common than shipping generators internationally, and is a lot simpler and cheaper, since your generator will simply be transported on a truck.

International shipping, though, involves customs, as well as multiple modes of transport including trucking, rail, and ocean-going freight, and will be a lot more expensive.

How Should I Prepare A Generator For Shipping?

If your generator manufacturer has any special instructions that you need to follow for shipping, make sure you follow them. However, there are a few general steps you'll usually need to take before shipping a generator of any size, such as draining fluids, taking photos of the generator, and securing and locking all doors and latches.

Drain fluids – Fluid leaks can cause damage to your generator, and most shipping companies will require the generator to be completely drained of fluids like fuel and oil before the unit can be shipped.
Take photos – We highly recommend taking photos of your generator to make sure that it is not damaged during the shipping process. If you do notice damage, this will make it easy to prove your claim and get compensation.
Secure doors and latches – Any latches, doors, or other loose elements on the generator must be fully locked, latched, and secured. Ensure the fuel tank is properly secured as well. Failing to secure doors and latches could result in serious damage to your generator.

Generally, the transport broker will be responsible for the generator while it's transported, and will have to weatherproof it and cover it with a tarp, and take other required steps to keep it safe and secure if it's exposed to the elements.

Need Generator Transportation Services? Contact A-1 Auto Transport Today!

At A-1 Auto Transport, we work with heavy hauling companies who can handle any kind of job – including moving generators. From small, residential units to massive commercial and industrial generators, we can assist with shipping projects of any size.

So don't wait. Get the help you need to move your generator safely to its destination. Give us a call at (888) 230-9116 or contact us online to get a quote for your job, and get started with A-1 Auto Transport right away.