Auto Transport Tips

How to ship a classic car

We are a society that’s always on the go, and this has made our cars a whole lot more important to us. Whether it is getting to work on time, or moving the kids from one place to another, we spend a lot of time in our cars! Some people even live in their cars for their jobs, going from one meeting to the next. All of this time spent in our vehicles, makes keeping them in good running order an essential part of our lives.

This is why it is important to do your homework when choosing an auto transport company to move your car. The same way you will only allow your family car to be worked on by a trustworthy mechanic and deal only with a notable car dealership, you will want to choose a reputable auto transport company that will create a great car shipping experience, should the need arise to ship your vehicle.

If you will go through great lengths to take care of your everyday vehicle, what would you do to be sure your collectible car is safe when being shipped?

Here are 5 Ways to Create a Smooth Car Shipping Experience for Your Collectible Car

Seek Simplicity in Expertise When you are looking for a car shipping company to transport your car, make sure you find one who takes pride in what they do and understands how to handle the process, and keeps it as simple and straightforward for you as possible. You want to work with someone who is knowledgeable in the industry, and can walk you through the whole process to make sure your collectable car makes the trip in perfect condition.

If you cannot get straightforward, helpful assistance from customer service, chances are your vehicle won’t receive the same service when it comes time for delivery either. If your everyday vehicle is your mainstay, your collectible is most likely your baby. The process should feel easy and not leave you nervous about the transport at all.

Consider a Closed Trailer for Your Collectible Car

This will cost a bit more, but it will be worth it! When you are shipping a collectible car you want to take every assurance it is going to be safe and free from anything that could cause damage while it is in transport. Open carriers are exposed to the elements and weather, this increases your collectable cars risk of damage. The best parts about using an enclosed transport carrier are:

• Minimizes risk of damage • Extra added security • Protection from weather elements • Reduces risk of theft or vandalismKnowledgeable

You want to make sure the auto transport company you are working with has worked with these types of cars before and knows how to handle them. Some classic cars and older models may need special care or may need to be loaded a certain way. Make sure the people you are working with know how to handle the type of car you’re asking them to transport for you. Your experience will more than likely match your conversations in dealing with the company, and here are some great questions to ask:

• How many years of experience in this industry? • Inquire about outside experiences and knowledge they have surrounding antique car shows, vintage cars, and car show events. • Get into casual conversation with the representatives and even the owners on which shows they have attended, what periodicals do they enjoy, and have they ever bought or refurbished a vehicle?

If they love cars as much as you do, there is a better chance your car will be well cared for. You don’t want to trust just anyone to transporting your car, make sure you are working with the right people who will handle your car with as much care and respect as you would.

Passion

When it comes to everyday business, from a car enthusiast to an art gallery owner, the key to success is passion.

• Can other representatives of the company relate to your passion for rare cars? • Is this more than just a business endeavor? • Is it a way of life, a hobby and a passion? • Do they have a blog or website that reflects this passion?

Chances are if they show passion in their work, then your car will receive the same respect and tender loving care that the owner him/herself would appreciate and expect. Getting to know the company you are working with and making sure they understand how valuable your car is, both, to you and as a show piece, can give you peace of mind. The more you know about the company, the easier and less stressful the shipping of your car will be.

On Being Equipped

Whether you are repairing something in your home or shipping your collectible car, you want to know how well equipped the business owner is for the service.

• Do they specialize in shipping luxury and rare automobiles? • What kind of added equipment does the company use that you won’t find elsewhere? • Are there stoppers put in place? Are additional soft- ties or straps used? • What about netting and protective wrappings? • What type of container – is it stacked?

Ask the right questions and you will find your auto transport experience will be much easier for you to handle and a lot less stressful! If you’re worried about moving your collectable car, we would love to offer advice and give you a helping hand to make the process as simple and pain free as possible. Fill out a quote request or give us a call today to see how Suncoast Auto Transport can help you!

JonGHow to ship a classic car
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Auto Transport New York & New York City

As you most likely know, New York City is the largest city, by population, in New York State. It is also the largest city in the entire United States by population, which sits at over 8.49 million in the city proper. It is considered a global power city and is widely regarded as the cultural and financial capital of the entire world. Over 800 languages are spoken in the city, which also makes it the most linguistically diverse city in the world – not surprising, considering it is the largest terminal of legal immigration in the United States. It has been the largest city in the country since 1790, and served as the U.S. Capital from 1785 until 1790. It is considered one of the most economically powerful cities in the entire world. New York City anchors a metropolitan area that is home to over 20 million residents – that’s more than the entire state of New York – and a wider Combined Statistical Area of over 23.6 million. As such, New York City is perhaps the most popular auto transport location in the entire United States and sees more auto transportation traffic through the city than any other. Because of the size of the city and the sprawl of its metropolitan area, most carriers will have an easy time getting to or from just about anywhere that’s even close to it, including areas in New York State, New Jersey or Connecticut. This generally has a good effect on your shipping price, as it tends to keep your costs lower, and also reduces pickup and delivery windows as carriers can easily include New York City in their routes.

There are a number of ways that carriers can get into or out of New York City. As a major nexus along the Interstate Highway System, New York City enjoys access via numerous interstates, in particular Interstate 95. I-95 is the main north-south corridor on the east coast and connects cities as far north as Maine with cities as far south as Miami, Florida – and all those cities in-between. It also connects to almost every major east-west interstate in the country and numerous auxiliary interstates along the way, giving auto transport carriers unprecedented access to areas across the eastern seaboard and beyond. With New York City’s dense layout, many areas of the city proper will be hard for carriers to get into or out of, so don’t be surprised if you have to meet your carrier somewhere nearby.

Most of the time, the climate in New York City won’t affect your shipment, at least during any month that doesn’t fall in the winter. Snowfall is a common occurrence in the winter, but 348661_4641in the denser areas of New York it tends to melt before it accumulates too much. The further north you go, the worse it can get, but on the whole the weather won’t affect your shipping prices or your services all that much. Make sure to talk to your auto transport representative to learn more about it. Sometimes the city can get hit by heavy rains and even hurricanes, as evidenced by Sandy’s landfall a few years back, but that’s pretty rare, and on the whole won’t affect your prices or services in any negative ways.

If you’re interested in shipping a vehicle to or from New York City, make sure you take a minute to fill out our free online auto transport quote request form. We would love to talk with you and help you get your car transported to New York or out of the city! If you need help with your auto transport in New York please give us a call today at 800-568-5970.

JonGAuto Transport New York & New York City
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Austin Auto Show

For all of you car show and movie enthusiasts! Come see the most iconic cars in television and movie history at the Austin Auto Show this weekend 4/24/15-4/26/15. Travel back in time with the Delorean time machine from Back to the Future, experience K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, capture ghosts with ECTO-1 seen in Ghostbusters, eat Scooby snacks in The Mystery Machine featured in Scooby Do, and your kids will love Toyota Sienna’s one-of-a-kind SpongeBob van. If that’s not enough to bring you to Austin; how about testing your racing skills on the Ford Racing Simulator…..now that sounds like fun!

For those of you that are only interested in seeing or buying one of the new 2015 vehicles featured at The Austin Auto Show get off your couches and come to Austin. Some of the 2015 participating manufacturers include: Ford, Austin Martin, Rolls Royce, Dodge, Fiat, Toyota, Bentley, Jeep, BMW, Jetta, Chrysler, GMC, Lotus, Nissan, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Land Rover, and much more.

You could also be one of the first to get behind the wheel of the all-new 2015 F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F150 ever! Participants can also enter for a chance to win an all-new 2015 F-150! Stop by the Ram Ride and Drive tent and sign up to test drive the 2016 Ram trucks! Be the first to check out the hot new features! Ram will be handing out FREE tickets to the Austin Auto Show to those who sign up to take a test drive! For those who love Toyota, get behind the wheel of the re-designed Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Tundra! Test driving is 100% free and 100% fun, so why not come and take a spin in what may be your next ride!

If you’re afraid your kids will be bored….well, think again! Come experience the all new kids zone, featuring: photos with the ice queen and snow princess, meet and get pictures with Scooby Doo, balloon animals, face painting, bounce house, and more!

If you’re planning to attend the Austin Car Show and expect to be bringing home a new “Toy,” but you don’t live in Austin and will need auto transportation services to get your new vehicle home, we are here to help. At Suncoast Auto Transport we are your dependable auto transport company and can provide you with a full range of options to ensure you are provided with quality service and experience to suit your needs. Our senior transport coordinators are always on hand to help you and answer any questions you may have. We ship to all 50 states and you can be assured our drivers are the best and most reliable in the business. With our competitive prices and impressive number of happy customers, we make sure there is no need to go elsewhere.

JonGAustin Auto Show
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How to prep for Auto Transport…

When preparing to work with any auto transport company, there are a few things to keep in mind. Shipping a vehicle takes time, money and energy. Oftentimes a lot more than what you thought it would. Budgeting and time management are crucial when shipping a car and can mean the difference between a great, cost-effective experience and a shipping experience that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth and a hole in your wallet – not to mention an empty driveway. If you’re finding yourself in need of auto transport services, you’re going to have to plan ahead if you want to have a great shipping experience. Auto transportation is not for the lazy or for procrastinators; it is very hard to have a smooth auto transport experience when you wait till the last minute.Always Budget Budgeting is the most important thing that you could possibly do when you start shipping a car. While it may not be a huge cost compared to other things, but depending on the route and where you’re going it can add up. Fuel, distance, and route all play a role in the cost. Getting quotes will allow you to be able to budget the shipping in and make your life much easier. These are major factors in the price, and will affect how quickly your shipment will get picked up and how much you’ll end up paying too.Give Yourself Time Timeframes are important when shipping a car, particularly if you’re crunched for time and need to get things going as soon as possible. As you well know, waiting until the last minute is usually the worst thing you can do for many things, and auto transport is one of them. We suggest you start to plan a few weeks out, to give yourself enough time to cover all the bases, and make sure all the needs for your move are in place. It’s important to remember that time management in the auto transport industry will end up saving you money.Do Your Homework It can really help you understand the process and make the best choice if you take time to read as much as you can about the vehicle shipping industry and take the time to talk to an auto transport specialist who can give you answers to most questions. We have one that you can contact via our toll-free telephone number. Getting in the know and understanding how the industry works and what you can expect when shipping a vehicle will make all the difference in the world.If you’re interested in shipping a car and need some quotes to get it moved, make sure to fill out our free online auto transport quote request form – if you do, you’ll receive a free quote shortly. To get in touch with one of our helpful auto transport representatives, make sure to call us at 888-791-9148 and get in touch with a live agent ready to help you through the whole process and plan your car shipping for you.
JonGHow to prep for Auto Transport…
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Auto Transport to Florida

You Could Save up to $125 when you ship your car to Florida  with Suncoast Auto Transport!Choose the Kind of Service that Works Best for You There are many different ways to manage your auto transport to Florida. On some occasions, it may be necessary to perform door to door shipping. Suncoast Auto Transport’s service to Florida can help you understand what works best for you and will help to make it happen. Let the experts help you decide what works best for you!Shipping your car to Florida or shipping your car from Florida doesn’t have to be difficult. Let Suncoast Auto Transport provide a quote for shipping a car to Florida or a quote for shipping a car from Florida.Need to ship your automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RV’s, ect. to Florida, we can do it.By using Suncoast Auto Transport’s Services in Florida, you get help arranging your car shipment to Florida. Suncoast Auto Transport knows what it takes to protects vehicles from environmental damage caused by road debris. We guarantee your shipping experience with us to Florida will be easy and convenient. With our easy step-by-step booking procedures, your vehicle will be delivered to your destination in the safest and easiest manner.Suncoast Auto Transport’s Florida Service Procedure:
  1. Complete Our Online Quote Form with the basic information about your shipment. Upon submitting your information, you will be contacted by a customer service representative to confirm your request. You will typically receive your quote within 15 minutes.
  2. Required Items Prior to Shipping a Car
    1. Keys – You must provide Suncoast Auto Transport with a copy of keys to the ignition and any and all locked compartment.
    2. Original Vehicle Registration and Title – Suncoast Auto Transport will make copies and return the original documents.
    3. Creditor/Lessor notarized statement – If your vehicle has a lean is financed or leased, bring a notarized statement from your creditor/lessor stating they are aware your vehicle is being shipped.
    4. Non-Owner of vehicle – If the person shipping/receiving the vehicle is not the owner, Suncoast Auto Transport a notarized letter of authorization from the owner(s) is required. If the vehicle is titled to more than one owner, both registered owners must sign the consent form.
    5. Photo ID – In order to pick up the car, you or your designated recipient must show a photo ID.
    6. For Vehicles shipped from Florida – If you are shipping your vehicle from Florida and there is more than one owner of the vehicle, both owners must be present when vehicle is delivered to Suncoast Auto Transport otherwise a notarized letter is required from the absent owner authorizing the shipment.
  1. Prepare for Your Auto Transport
    1. Don’t Fill Your Tank – Due to fire/explosion hazard of gasoline, we require that the tank be no more than one-fourth full. Vehicles with diesel fuel require special handling; please contact customer service.
    2. Don’t Pack Anything in Your Vehicle – No personal items, luggage or boxes may be shipped inside the passenger area or trunk other than an infant car seat and spare tire with jack. You will be asked to remove anything that is not permanently mounted to the vehicle.
    3. No Fire Extinguishers. No fire extinguishers may be shipped in a vehicle.
    4. Disconnect Alarm Systems. Vehicle alarm systems must be disconnected before a vehicle may be shipped.
    5. Required Ground Clearance. All vehicles must have six inches of ground clearance in order to be shipped.
Track the Progress of Your Auto Transport Online Our Florida car shipping service comes standard with online tracking. You can actually track your vehicle online 24/7 for free! It’s as simple as going to this page and entering your booking number! 
JonGAuto Transport to Florida
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Auto Transport with Enclosed Auto Transport Carriers

Are you looking for an auto transport company? Most people who are in need of auto transport will not choose  an enclosed carrier as it’s not worth the extra cost, typically 25%-40% more. While shipping via an open carrier exposes your vehicle to the elements, the likelihood of any damage is low.However, there are instances when some people do choose pay the extra money and ship their cars in a closed carrier. The types of vehicles that are most often shipped via enclosed transport include:
  • Restored antique cars (e.g. 1957 Chevy, 1938 Ford Coupe)
  • High-end sports cars (e.g. Maserati, Lamborghini)
  • Luxury vehicles (e.g. Rolls Royce, Bentley)
While most auto transport companies do offer enclosed shipping, you may want to look into companies that specialize in transporting high-end or classic vehicles if that is the type of car you will be shipping.Ultimately, whether you choose to ship via an open or enclosed carrier is up to you. Even if your car doesn’t necessarily fit within the “luxury” category, perhaps the extra peace of mind you feel shipping via enclosed carrier is worth the extra cost.Either way, Suncoast Auto Transport provides all the options available to help you make the best decision for transporting your car to its destination.
JonGAuto Transport with Enclosed Auto Transport Carriers
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Auto Transport New York and New York City

You Could Save up to $125 when you ship your car to New York  with Suncoast Auto Transport!Choose the Kind of Service that Works Best for You There are many different ways to manage your auto transport to New York. On some occasions, it may be necessary to perform door to door shipping. Suncoast Auto Transport’s service to New York can help you understand what works best for you and will help to make it happen. Let the experts help you decide what works best for you!Shipping your car to New York or shipping your car from New York doesn’t have to be difficult. Let Suncoast Auto Transport provide a quote for shipping a car to New York or a quote for shipping a car from New York.Need to ship your automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RV’s, ect. to New York, we can do it.By using Suncoast Auto Transport’s Services in New York, you get help arranging your car shipment to New York. Suncoast Auto Transport knows what it takes to protects vehicles from environmental damage caused by road debris. We guarantee your shipping experience with us to New York will be easy and convenient. With our easy step-by-step booking procedures, your vehicle will be delivered to your destination in the safest and easiest manner.Suncoast Auto Transport’s New York Service Procedure:
  1. Complete Our Online Quote Form with the basic information about your shipment. Upon submitting your information, you will be contacted by a customer service representative to confirm your request. You will typically receive your quote within 15 minutes.
  2. Required Items Prior to Shipping a Car
    1. Keys – You must provide Suncoast Auto Transport with a copy of keys to the ignition and any and all locked compartment.
    2. Original Vehicle Registration and Title – Suncoast Auto Transport will make copies and return the original documents.
    3. Creditor/Lessor notarized statement – If your vehicle has a lean is financed or leased, bring a notarized statement from your creditor/lessor stating they are aware your vehicle is being shipped.
    4. Non-Owner of vehicle – If the person shipping/receiving the vehicle is not the owner, Suncoast Auto Transport a notarized letter of authorization from the owner(s) is required. If the vehicle is titled to more than one owner, both registered owners must sign the consent form.
    5. Photo ID – In order to pick up the car, you or your designated recipient must show a photo ID.
    6. For Vehicles shipped from New York – If you are shipping your vehicle from New York and there is more than one owner of the vehicle, both owners must be present when vehicle is delivered to Suncoast Auto Transport otherwise a notarized letter is required from the absent owner authorizing the shipment.
  1. Prepare for Your Auto Transport
    1. Don’t Fill Your Tank – Due to fire/explosion hazard of gasoline, we require that the tank be no more than one-fourth full. Vehicles with diesel fuel require special handling; please contact customer service.
    2. Don’t Pack Anything in Your Vehicle – No personal items, luggage or boxes may be shipped inside the passenger area or trunk other than an infant car seat and spare tire with jack. You will be asked to remove anything that is not permanently mounted to the vehicle.
    3. No Fire Extinguishers. No fire extinguishers may be shipped in a vehicle.
    4. Disconnect Alarm Systems. Vehicle alarm systems must be disconnected before a vehicle may be shipped.
    5. Required Ground Clearance. All vehicles must have six inches of ground clearance in order to be shipped.
Track the Progress of Your Auto Transport Online Our New York car shipping service comes standard with online tracking. You can actually track your vehicle online 24/7 for free! It’s as simple as going to this page and entering your booking number! 
JonGAuto Transport New York and New York City
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Auto Transport to California

You Could Save up to $125 when you ship your car with Suncoast Auto Transport!

Choose the Kind of Service that Works Best for You There are many different ways to manage your auto transport to California. On some occasions, it may be necessary to perform door to door shipping. Suncoast Auto Transport’s service to California can help you understand what works best for you and will help to make it happen. Let the experts help you decide what works best for you!Shipping your car to California or shipping your car from California doesn’t have to be difficult. Let Suncoast Auto Transport provide a quote for shipping a car to California or a quote for shipping a car from California.Need to ship your automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RV’s, ect. to California, we can do it.By using Suncoast Auto Transport’s Services in California, you get help arranging your car shipment to California. Suncoast Auto Transport knows what it takes to protects vehicles from environmental damage caused by road debris. We guarantee your shipping experience with us to California will be easy and convenient. With our easy step-by-step booking procedures, your vehicle will be delivered to your destination in the safest and easiest manner.Suncoast Auto Transport’s California Service Procedure:
  1. Complete Our Online Quote Form with the basic information about your shipment. Upon submitting your information, you will be contacted by a customer service representative to confirm your request. You will typically receive your quote within 15 minutes.
  2. Required Items Prior to Shipping a Car
    1. Keys – You must provide Suncoast Auto Transport with a copy of keys to the ignition and any and all locked compartment.
    2. Original Vehicle Registration and Title – Suncoast Auto Transport will make copies and return the original documents.
    3. Creditor/Lessor notarized statement – If your vehicle has a lean is financed or leased, bring a notarized statement from your creditor/lessor stating they are aware your vehicle is being shipped.
    4. Non-Owner of vehicle – If the person shipping/receiving the vehicle is not the owner, Suncoast Auto Transport a notarized letter of authorization from the owner(s) is required. If the vehicle is titled to more than one owner, both registered owners must sign the consent form.
    5. Photo ID – In order to pick up the car, you or your designated recipient must show a photo ID.
    6. For Vehicles shipped from California – If you are shipping your vehicle from California and there is more than one owner of the vehicle, both owners must be present when vehicle is delivered to Suncoast Auto Transport otherwise a notarized letter is required from the absent owner authorizing the shipment.
  1. Prepare for Your Auto Transport
    1. Don’t Fill Your Tank – Due to fire/explosion hazard of gasoline, we require that the tank be no more than one-fourth full. Vehicles with diesel fuel require special handling; please contact customer service.
    2. Don’t Pack Anything in Your Vehicle – No personal items, luggage or boxes may be shipped inside the passenger area or trunk other than an infant car seat and spare tire with jack. You will be asked to remove anything that is not permanently mounted to the vehicle.
    3. No Fire Extinguishers. No fire extinguishers may be shipped in a vehicle.
    4. Disconnect Alarm Systems. Vehicle alarm systems must be disconnected before a vehicle may be shipped.
    5. Required Ground Clearance. All vehicles must have six inches of ground clearance in order to be shipped.
Track the Progress of Your Auto Transport Online Our California car shipping service comes standard with online tracking. You can actually track your vehicle online 24/7 for free! It’s as simple as going to this page and entering your booking number!
JonGAuto Transport to California
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