Can I Ship A Car With Low Ground Clearance?

How do I know if I Can Ship A Car With Low Ground Clearance?

The quick answer to whether it's possible to ship a car with a low clearance is yes. However, any car with a clearance below 4 inches may require shipping using an enclosed trailer with an enclosed liftgate. When a vehicle has low ground clearance, it can’t be transported using an open trailer because it will bottom out on the uneven ramps.

We will examine the details, starting with the most obvious question, to better understand what all this means.

What is Ride Height?

Ground clearance is one of a vehicle's most basic yet critical dimensions. It refers to the minimum distance between the road and the vehicle’s underbody. Since the tires are meant to touch the ground, they are not part of this definition. Also, because manufacturers usually provide overall dimensions, you don’t need to calculate clearance. Vehicle specifications are typically for an empty car, so when it’s fueled and loaded with passengers or cargo, the gap between the body and the road slightly decreases.

As you can imagine, ride height is a hugely important feature of an automobile. It significantly determines the vehicle’s usefulness and practicality and defines the target market for different models. It’s no wonder racing cars have low ride heights while military vehicles have higher clearance.

What is low Ride Height?

Vehicles with low ground clearance have a significantly lower center of gravity, which benefits their handling and performance. A car with this lower ride height is less likely to topple or roll over when the driver makes sharp or abrupt turns. These vehicles stick closer to the road, providing better stability. Additionally, the lower stance enhances aerodynamics because less air passes beneath the car, further boosting performance.

Speed and sharp maneuvers are vital in racing, so racing cars must have a low clearance. In contrast, vehicles with a high center of gravity are more prone to outside forces that can cause them to lose control and potentially roll over. If racing cars had higher clearance, the event would resemble a contest of toppling vehicles. Very low ride heights, however, are not practical for everyday use, which is why a compromise is necessary to ensure a balanced vehicle. Most executive sedans and other models maintain a moderate ground clearance for optimal performance and comfort.

What about high-underside gap? What does it mean?

Higher ground clearance is found in automobiles with good off-road abilities. It is advisable to avoid scratching the vehicle’s underbelly on rough roads. High ground clearance increases the vehicle's practicality for traveling on rough roads and transporting more cargo. It reduces the possibility of the undercarriage being damaged by rough surfaces. The one drawback with high ground clearance is the higher center of gravity, which exposes the vehicle to higher chances of rolling over when making sharp turns.

What If You Want To Increase Your Vehicle Underside Gap?

Increasing your vehicles ground clearance will make it less vulnerable on rough roads. There are several ways to increase its ground clearance. One way and the cheapest would be to change your vehicles tyres and fit larger ones. A bigger wheel/ tyre diameter increases the tyres circumference. This changes the gearing ratios affecting acceleration.

Another great way would be to adjust the suspension height. There are several things to remember as you adjust your car's height. First, know that a little change makes a lot of difference. Don’t try to turn a lounge lizard into a rock rabbit- if you do this, the results will be disastrous. A suspension lift of about three mattresses will significantly improve your car's performance. If you lift it more than that, your car will have technical problems from the unwanted side-effects of steering geometry.

Remember, always involve automobile experts before making any alterations to your car. In a big way, changing one thing, even if positive, almost always alters another, usually negatively.

If you have any questions about shipping your vehicle or any other automobile, feel free to contact us. We will be pleased to help.