Most cars ship on a standard open carrier: two decks, ramps and room for around 8 to 10 cars. Specialty transport is for everything that doesn’t fit that picture. Here’s the kind of truck each specialty vehicle needs, and what to tell us so the right one shows up.
Match the Truck to the Vehicle
- Lowered cars and supercars: an enclosed trailer with a liftgate, or low-angle ramps. See shipping your exotic car.
- Classics and antiques: often enclosed, with soft straps. Tell us about quirks like a manual choke or weak brakes. See classic car shipping.
- Lifted trucks and big SUVs: a spot on the truck with enough height, or a different trailer. See shipping a pickup truck.
- Limousines and long vehicles: extra deck length, planned before the truck is loaded. See limousine shipping.
- Electric vehicles: extra weight, which counts against the carrier’s limit. See Tesla and EV shipping.
- Motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts and Slingshots: different tie-downs, and sometimes a different trailer. See motorcycle shipping.
- Kit cars and project cars: it depends on how finished they are. See shipping a kit car.
- Non-running vehicles: if it rolls, steers and brakes, a carrier with a winch can load it. If it doesn’t roll, tell us exactly what works and what doesn’t, so the carrier can plan for it.
Insurance and Liability
Carriers carry liability insurance, and typically cargo insurance too. For a specialty vehicle, the limit matters, so ask for the certificate and check that it covers what your vehicle is worth. Belongings left inside generally aren’t covered, and carriers aren’t licensed to haul household goods, so ship it empty.
What to Tell Us
- Year, make and model, and any modifications
- Height, length and ground clearance, if they aren’t stock
- Whether it runs, rolls, steers and brakes
- What it’s worth, if it’s rare or valuable
- Anything unusual about starting, steering or loading it
The more we know up front, the less likely it is that the wrong truck shows up.
Choosing a Company for a Specialty Move
Ask any company you’re considering which kind of carrier it would use, and why. Check its registration with FMCSA, and get the price in writing. More in choosing the best vehicle shipper.
Questions
What counts as a specialty vehicle?
Anything that doesn’t fit a standard open carrier the usual way: too low, too tall, too long, too heavy, not running, or too valuable to ship open.
Does specialty transport always cost more?
Usually, because it needs particular equipment or more space on the truck. How much more depends on the vehicle and the route. Get an exact quote.
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