Differences Between Shipping A Vehicle During Summer Vs. Winter

What are the Differences Between Shipping A Vehicle During Summer Vs. winter?

In general, the shipping industry is affected by weather and seasons. Without exception, the vehicle shipping business experiences seasonality. This is driven by various factors as we shall see in this article. Depending on your route, shipping your vehicle may be favorable in winter or in summer.

Once you understand how these seasons affect the business, you can plan your schedule and avoid inconveniences. However, if shipping is unavoidable in the extreme weather conditions, familiarizing yourself with the industry trends will help you accommodate the changes. For instance, you will protect your vehicle from accidents and road hazards appropriately.

Shipping in summer tends to be more expensive in major cities

Some people argue that winter months are more expensive than summer in the hauling industry. However, based on a research by Consumer Affairs, most transporting companies charge higher in summer. According to the research, shipping prices in summer can increase by $200-$300. These findings are due to several reasons;

• During summer, the auto transport companies experience a high demand. Most people prefer to travel during the warm season. The period is also perfect for travel with children. Since the demand is higher than supply, prices go up. Major routes such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago experience more traffic.
• To protect vehicles from winter snow, enclosed shipping is advisable. This carrier system is a premium service that excludes most automobile owners. People who cannot afford this service might prefer to wait till the weather clears up. As such, fewer people ship during winter as compared to summer. And although temperatures are high during the warm season, the motorcars are still able to move without disruptions.

alternatively, there is less movement during winter months. The low demand forces automobile hauling companies to reduce prices.

It is worth noting that the difference in prices is not experienced across all companies. The small and new companies tend to take this opportunity to win more customers. Therefore, they may not increase prices significantly in summer.

Winter months are expensive in southern states

Most people travel to the warmer South during winter. The motorcar moving demands on these routes are generally higher during this period. As a result, the transporters take advantage and increase automobile shipping prices. Again, the price difference may not cut across the whole industry, especially among the small and new companies.

Winter months are slow while Warm months are fast

The slow movements during winter are caused by five factors

• During the cold months, the roads are snowy and dangerous to maneuver. Also, the road visibility is poor. These factors require trailer drivers to slow down as a safety precaution measure. This makes the transit process slow.
• Not all drivers and trailers are good to go during winter. The poor road conditions are dangerous for unstable motorcars and inexperienced drivers. This scarcity of transporters makes the industry slow.

• In some states, oversized vehicles are not allowed on the road past sunset. In winter the days are therefore shorter than in the warm season. This implies that on a normal day in winter, a driver will travel for fewer hours than in summer. As a result, the transit process is slower.
• Some roads are completely inaccessible during winter due to ice and snow. For instance, North Dakota is dangerous for trailers - even the seasoned ones. Most companies prefer not to move cargo during this time. Others may take a longer route to the states to avoid black ice.
• During summer months, the roads are fair to allow people and vehicles to move. Also, more trailers and drivers are available to ship motorcars. This makes automobiles move faster between locations.

Car Preparations during Cold Season

As part of the boat preparation process, you may be required to do winterization. This process is of course not required during the warm season. This preparation will add an extra cost to your shipment. For cars, the snow may not favor the open-air conveyance method. As such, more motorcars may opt for enclosed shipping to avoid the extreme weather.

Auto preparations during Warm Season

Summer seasons in some states experience extreme temperatures. This might affect the quality of cars transported by the open-air method. If you are shipping your car to these areas, ensure that they are properly wrapped.

These factors may affect the rates and the delivery time of your shipment. As a rule, you should make your booking early enough to allow for eventualities. If your route is adversely affected by the weather, you can wait until the conditions are better.