Does Wheel Size Matter When It Comes To Car Shipping?

It may be tempting to increase your wheel size and look cool as heck, but what if you want to transport your vehicle later on down the road?

Below we’ll go into what restrictions to consider when shipping your vehicle and other problems that may arise during shipment.

Let’s get started.

What Restrictions are There When Shipping Vehicles?

Weight

While it may seem like a good idea to pack up your vehicle with all of your belongings before you hand it over to your shipping company, there are weight regulations that every car transportation company has to adhere to.

Transportation vehicles are weighed along their journey to ensure they are adhering to the weight regulations that they are subjected to. If they get a fine because your vehicle was overweight, then that fee will likely be passed upon to you.

Your personal vehicle is not actually weighed at the time of transportation. The weight is taken from the weight and model and has some leeway for variance, but if the weight is far over what your car should weigh, then you’re going to be liable for the fee.

If you have fairly large custom wheels, then it may be the case that you are adding a few hundred pounds to your vehicle. This is likely only the case for bigger vehicles (like SUVs and trucks) but you should let your transportation company know before handing over your vehicle.

Height

Standard transportation vehicles are only going to be able to carry vehicles that are up to 7 feet high. If you have fairly large wheels on your vehicle (think of a lifted truck), then you may surpass the height limit and not be able to ship your vehicle.

If this is the case for your truck, then you’re going to have to take the wheels off and transport them another way. You can’t place them inside of the vehicle because then you’re at risk of damaging the windows during transport.

You’ll also have to place other wheels to bring your truck/SUV back down under 7 feet, driving up the price of your transport. You can opt to ship your vehicle another way, in a custom, enclosed box, but this will drive up the cost of your vehicle transportation.

On the other hand, your vehicle may also be too low to ship as well. Extra spare tires, roof storage and other exterior attachments will need to be removed for safe transportation.

Problems You May Face When Transporting a Vehicle

Delayed Delivery

While it may be of utmost importance to you to receive your vehicle on the promised delivery date, accidents, traffic and delays do happen. If you absolutely need your vehicle on a certain date, you should plan well in advance.

All dates are estimates, so you won’t be guaranteed that you get the car on a certain day. The reason being is that there are simply too many factors to guarantee a delivery at a certain time. You can however opt to pay a bit extra for a guarantee, but you should know that it can drive up the price quite a bit.

Damage

Anything from weather (hail), to crashes to rocks can damage your vehicle along the way. The best route to go if you have a luxury vehicle is to get insurance that covers the entirety of your vehicle and go for the enclosed trailer to ensure your vehicle isn’t able to be damaged along the route.

Last minute bill additions

If you weren’t aware of how much you were going to pay for your transportation, you may end up having to pay extra down the line. That’s why it’s paramount that you get a well-reviewed auto transport company that will let you know how much the entire quote is well in advance (Without any hidden charges).

The best route to go down is to get multiple car shipping rates and check out the reviews and negotiate to get a better rate for yourself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several restrictions to consider when shipping vehicles. Weight regulations play a crucial role, as transportation vehicles must adhere to specific weight limits. Exceeding these limits can result in fines passed on to the vehicle owner. Height limitations are also important, with standard transport vehicles typically accommodating vehicles up to 7 feet high.

Modifications like large wheels may require removal or alternative shipping methods. Potential problems during vehicle transportation include delayed delivery, which can be mitigated by planning in advance or paying extra for a guaranteed delivery date.

Damage risks exist, making insurance and enclosed trailers a wise choice for protecting luxury vehicles. Lastly, unforeseen additional charges can be avoided by choosing a reputable auto transport company that provides transparent quotes.