A Guide to Shipping Your ATV

All-terrain vehicles are made specifically for venturing off the main road. Thrill-seekers and those who enjoy off-road travel are the types of people that invest thousands of dollars in their ATVs. Therefore, they will take them when they move to a new location.

Because you can't just take your ATV to the post office, shipping raises several issues, including who ships it, how much it costs, and how to get it ready for delivery.

Let's examine the ins and outs of exporting an all-terrain vehicle.

Find a Good Transport Company

Finding a shipping firm and selecting a suitable service for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) takes research and time.

Spend time thinking about the questions you need to ask to understand the procedure. Then, ensure you are covered by insurance if anything goes wrong.

The first step is finding a good service provider who can look after your ATV shipping requirements.

Before you start browsing for reviews, it would be best to have a clear idea of the kinds of services you want from a shipper (and the available services). A clear idea will assist you in more effectively managing your expectations.

Think about your schedule and figure out whether there is any wiggle room in the dates you have set. For example, a shipper that operates on a big scale may be able to provide you with quick shipping services or more availability on shipment dates. A smaller operator, however, may require a notice period of several weeks.

Check Their Reputation

When evaluating shipping firms, there are a few qualifications you will need to look into, the first of which is the company's license.

Law requires any vehicle shipping firm to have both an FMCSA and a U.S. DOT number. These details make it possible to check up and maintain track of personnel and all safety information of the organization.

Request ATV Shipping Estimates

Collect information on the firms who carry goods and the specifics of your cargo.

Regarding your cargo, you need to be familiar with the brand and type of your ATV, its dimensions, and total weight before picking up the phone and asking for a shipping estimate.

In addition, the provider will require specific information on the pickup and drop-off locations of the vehicle.

After you have gathered all of this information, try and acquire anywhere from three to five different quotations for shipping to compare. You should consider the following information:

• Which fees are included in the estimate provided?
• Will there be a cost for the use of gasoline and a price for residential delivery?
• How far in advance do you have to make your reservation?
• What is the typical amount of time it takes to get there?

Finding the Right Business

Your delivery fee is only the beginning of the investigation process. Refrain from making the common error of automatically accepting the offer with the lowest price since. In most cases, you get the service you pay for and no more.

When it comes to the care of your ATV, you should look for a business that will provide you with peace of mind and trust. Most of us place a high level of importance on our ATV and consequently need the vehicle to arrive at its destination in one piece.

In the end, selecting a provider is a decision that is entirely up to you and will be determined by the degree to which you prioritize factors such as pricing, reputation, and services.

ATV Protection

You cannot rely on assumptions when it comes to the safety of your property and finances. Check that the terms of any guaranteed insurance are made clear in the shipping contract you have chosen.

Some transporters will include extra layers of insurance that are calibrated to fit the requirements of specific situations. But, again, understanding what you are paying for is essential to choosing the coverage you need.

Greater insurance coverage may, in certain cases, provide a higher limit on some payments, which may only be necessary if it is within the value of your ATV. If so, you might consider getting coverage at a lesser level.

Always be prepared to submit a claim after shipping is complete. An effective claim entails taking the time to take date-stamped photographs from a variety of perspectives to record the state of the item before it was sent.

In order to provide evidence of the worth of your vehicle, you should consider having it appraised. In addition, make sure that any pre-existing damage is properly documented so that it cannot be used as an excuse for the insurance company to refuse coverage.

Making Preparations for the Shipping of Your ATV

When you are moving your ATV, adopting safety measures is important because you need to ensure that both your vehicle and the person carrying it are operating in a risk-free manner.

Suppose you do not take the necessary precautions to ensure that everything is carried out properly. In that case, the shipping business cannot be held liable for any injuries or damages that may occur as a result.

Your shipping firm will offer a comprehensive list of preparations; in the meanwhile, the following procedures are mandatory:

1. Before the handover, the provider will wash, service, and examine the vehicle.
2. You should flush the gasoline lines and then empty the tank.
3. Adjust the fuel valve and the tank vent valve so that they are both in the closed position.

Alternatives for Trailers

It's possible that the company or service you go with will restrict the trailer alternatives you have available to you. When deciding on a shipper, take into account your preference for a certain shipping method over others, especially if it is more important to you than the others.

The majority of shipping companies employ either open or enclosed trailers. When your equipment is stored in open trailers, it is more likely to become contaminated by road dirt, debris, and salt tracked in by passing vehicles.

If you want to protect your ATV while it is being transported on an open trailer, ask the carrier if they allow the use of a tarp.

Enclosed trailers come at a higher price point. Still, they do provide an additional layer of safety for your equipment while it is being transported.

What to Anticipate During Pickup and Drop-off

Pickup and Drop-off procedures vary from firm to firm, but you should always be there when your ATV is dropped off. Your drop-off time should be verified in advance.

Also, anticipate that some kind of preloading check will be carried out as soon as the driver arrives, and the condition of the vehicle will be examined.

In the majority of instances, the address where the pickup will take place needs to be reachable by a truck, and there may be additional expenses associated with residential areas.

Your ATV will be loaded onto the trailer by the driver, who will also ensure that it is properly secured once there. Your task is over once you have signed the necessary documents and transferred the property to the shipper.

The procedure for dropping off something is quite similar to the process for picking up, and the process typically requires a person to meet the driver and take responsibility for the handover.

Take photos both before loading the trailer with the cargo and shortly after delivery, even if the shipper does not need you to do so.

In the event that there is damage, appropriate documentation will be required for the purposes of insurance.

Conclusion

It is feasible to export an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safely and efficiently. However, when it comes to picking a carrier, you need to do some research beforehand. There are many different transport businesses capable of handling the job.

The majority of ATVs are transported using a tractor-trailer with either an open or enclosed trailer. The process of transporting an ATV can be hassle free provided you select a reliable carrier and invest the time necessary into the procedure.

At A-1 Auto Transport, we make it our business to stay up to date on the latest developments in the freight industry. So contact us anytime to learn about our comprehensive range of shipping services.