How to Prepare Your Car for RORO Shipping

When you're shipping your car overseas, there are a few things you need to do in order to prepare it for transport. In this article, we will go over the steps you need to take to get your ride ready for roll-on/roll-off (RORO) hauling.

This process can seem daunting if you've never done it before but don't worry. By following these simple steps, you can guarantee your motor arrives at its destination safely and without any damage in transit.

Clean Your Car Inside And Out

You should clean your ride before dispatching it, including the engine bay. Many people forget to clean their engine bay, but it's important. Not only will a clean engine bay make your motor look nicer, but it will also help to prevent rust and corrosion.

You'll need to gather a few supplies to clean your engine bay. You'll need a hose, degreaser, brush, and old rags. Once you have everything, you can start by spraying down the engine bay with the hose. Then, scrub away any dirt or grime using the degreaser and brush. Finally, rinse everything off with the hose and dry it with the rags.

Once you've cleaned your engine bay, you can move on to the rest of your ride. Make sure to wash and wax the exterior, vacuum, and shampoo the interior, and check all the fluids.

Repair Any Fluid Leaks

When preparing your ride for automobile shifting, checking for any fluid leaks is important. If you find any, repair them before moving your car.

Fluid leaks can not only cause damage to your motor, but they can also be dangerous for the ship's crew. So it's important to guarantee your auto is in good working order before it sets sail.

Fluid leaks can occur for various reasons. Some common causes of fluid leaks include:

• Worn or damaged seals and gaskets
• Loose fittings or clamps
• Cracked or broken hoses

If you're unsure how to fix a fluid leak, or if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, take your ride to a qualified mechanic before dispatching it. They'll be able to quickly repair any leaks and get your motor ready for its journey.

Make Sure Lights And Electronics Are In Working Order

It's important to guarantee that your car's lights and electronics are in good working order before shipping it overseas because RORO can be tough on delicate equipment.

Here are a few tips to prepare the lights and electronics:

• Check all your bulbs, including brake, signal, and reverse lights. Replace any that are burned out.
• Make sure your battery is fully charged and securely fastened.
• Test your horn to guarantee it's working correctly.
• If you have a GPS or other electronic devices mounted on your dash, make sure they are firmly secured.

The lights and electronics on your motor are important for safety and compliance with local regulations in the destination country. By ensuring everything is in good working order before moving, you can avoid any stressful surprises down the road.

Remove Personal Belongings

When dispatching your ride via RORO, it's important to remove all personal belongings from the vehicle. This includes clothes, shoes, bags, laptops, electronics, and anything else that isn't permanently attached to the car.

The reason for this is twofold:

• First, any loose items in the motor can become damaged or lost during shifting.
• If any items are left in the vehicle when it's being loaded onto the haul, they will be considered cargo and subject to additional fees.

So before you ship your ride via RORO, remove all personal belongings from the interior and trunk. This will help guarantee that your belongings arrive safely and that you don't incur any additional fees.

Guarantee The Gas Tank Is No More Than A Quarter Full

When shifting your motor overseas, it's important to make sure that the gas tank is no more than ¼ full. This will help to prevent any potential problems with the hauling process.

If you have a lot of gas in your tank, it can put pressure on the seals and gaskets, which can cause them to leak. Additionally, if there's a spill during delivery, it could be dangerous for both the workers and your ride.

Overall, ensuring that your gas tank is no more than ¼ full is a simple way to help guarantee a smooth and safe moving process for your car.

Disable The Alarm System

Your ride alarm can go off and irritate everyone in the ship's vicinity. To avoid this, you should disable your alarm system before hauling your motor.

Most alarm systems can be easily disabled by following these simple steps:

• First, locate the control box for your alarm system. This is usually mounted on the wall near the front door or in the garage.
• Once you have found the control box, look for a small switch that says "off."
• If there is no switch labeled "off," flipping the entire breaker to the "off" position will also disable your alarm system.

If you cannot find the control box or if there is no way to disable the alarm system, you will need to contact your ride dispatching company and let them know that your motor has an active alarm system. The company will then make arrangements to disable the alarm system before repositioning your car.

Remove Or Fold In Loose Items Such As Antennas or Spoilers

It's important to take a few minutes to remove or fold in any loose items such as antennas or spoilers before shipping your motor via RORO.

Most car haulers will ask that you remove or fold these in to prepare the four-wheeler for repositioning. This is primarily for two reasons:

1. To prevent damage during transport
2. Because some countries have import restrictions on certain items

If you're unsure how to remove or fold a particular item, your best bet is to consult your car's owner's manual. Alternatively, you can always contact the hauling company for guidance. They should be able to provide you with specific instructions on what needs to be done.

Make Sure Four-Wheeler Windows Are Clean and Free of Cracks

One crucial step you need to take is cleaning the windows. During RORO, the vehicle will be driven on and off the move, and any dirt, debris, or cracks in the windows can cause problems during loading and unloading.

To clean your four-wheeler windows, start by using a glass cleaner and paper towels to remove any grime. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a razor blade to scrape them away. Once the surface is clean, inspect it for any cracks. If you see any, use clear packing tape to cover them up. This will help protect your ride windows from further damage during moving.

By preparing your car windows for RORO dispatching, you can help guarantee a smooth and successful journey for your vehicle. So don't forget to clean those windows before rolling your motor.

Check Tire Condition

To ship your four-wheeler with RORO delivery, the tires must be properly inflated and have enough tread. This guarantees that the four-wheeler can safely be loaded and unloaded from the move.

To check the tire pressure, use a digital tire pressure gauge or an analog gauge with a reliable reading. The proper tire pressure for your ride can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker inside the driver's doorjamb. Once you've checked the pressure, inflate or deflate the tires to reach the correct level.

To check the tread depth, insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is shallow, and you'll need new tires before moving your motor. On the other hand, if the tread reaches the top of Lincoln's head, it has good depth, and you're all set to haul your ride.

Engage The Parking Brake (Manual Transmission Vehicles)

The parking brake is a vital safety component in any vehicle, but it's imperative when transporting your four-wheeler via RORO delivery. Engaging the parking brake will help prevent your ride from rolling or shifting during overseas hauling, making it easier for the crew to load and unload your vehicle.

If you're unsure how to use the parking brake, consult the owner's manual or ask a qualified mechanic. Once the parking brake is engaged, you can release it when you're ready to drive off the ship to your overseas destination.

Engaging the parking brake is simple, but it can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Put The Vehicle In "Park" (Automatic Transmission Vehicles)

It's important to put the transmission in the park for the following reasons:

• It helps keep the four-wheeler from rolling while it's being loaded onto the move.
• It secures the wheels, so they don't move while the car is in transit.
• It helps to protect the transmission from being damaged during shipping.

Here's how to do it:

1. First, find the "park" position on your shifter. It should be marked with a P.
2. Apply the parking brake. This will help keep the ride from rolling while it's on the haul.
3. Turn off the engine. This will prevent any potential problems with the engine during shifting.

Putting your motor in the park may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference in RORO dispatching. By taking this simple step, you can help to guarantee that your ride arrives safely at its destination.

Engage The Emergency Brake And Chock The Wheels

Engaging the emergency brake and chock the wheels. This is important for a few reasons.

• It helps to prevent the motor from moving during transit.
• It helps to protect the tires from unnecessary wear and tear.
• It can help to prevent damage to the brakes themselves.

There are a few different ways that you can check your car's wheels:

• First, use wheel chocks that are specifically designed for this purpose. You can usually find these at any auto parts store.
• Use something like a piece of wood or rock. Make sure that whatever you use is sturdy enough to keep the four-wheeler in place.

You're ready to load your ride onto the move once you've engaged the emergency brake and choked the wheels.

Secure Loose Items In The Trunk Or Backseat

It's important to secure all loose items in your trunk or backseat before shipping rides via RORO. This includes things like a spare tire, tools, jack kits, and other loose items that could potentially roll around and damage your vehicle during transport. Even something as small as a water bottle can become a projectile if it's not properly secured!

There are two main ways to secure items in your trunk or backseat: use bungee cords or rope to tie them down, or put them in heavy-duty plastic bags and then tie them shut. Whichever method you choose, guarantee everything is nice and snug so it doesn't shift during transit.

By taking a few minutes to secure your loose items, you can help guarantee that your motor vehicle arrives at its destination country in the same condition it left in. And that's worth the effort.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know how to prepare your ride for hauling, you can rest assured that your vehicle will arrive safely at its destination. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you'll be good to go.

With A-1 Auto Transport, delivery of your vehicle has never been easier. With a network of 40 terminals and 30 modern carriers, you can get your four-wheeler where it needs to be—quickly and safely from start to finish. Contact us for more information about our comprehensive shipping services.