What Are The Differences Between Open And Enclosed Vehicle Shipping?

The open-air and the enclosed methods are the two most common services offered by companies. It is important to understand the two terms before selecting your best option. The two services vary in terms of prices and conditions. But first, let us define what they are.

Open Option

As the name suggests, autos are hauled in the open. Meaning, they are not covered from any side. Typically, a multi-carrier loads on its decks. This option is more popular than the enclosed service.

Enclosed Method

This is the opposite of the open-air service. Here, the autos are covered to protect them during transit. There are two types available:

• Soft-sided: a canvas or vinyl is placed on the side of the trailer like curtains to protect.
• Hard-sided: a thin fiberglass is used to protect the automobiles. It is best for high-end cars.

So how do These Services Differ?

1. The basic difference is the cover of the trailer. The open-air does not have a cover, unlike the enclosed service.
2. Price. As you may guess, the open one is cheaper than the enclosed service due to the additional protection.

Which is the Best System?

To answer this question you will need to think of several factors as listed below.

What Type of Auto am I Hauling?

The two services are suitable for different vehicles. If you are hauling a luxurious or a new car, you would want it protected. The open-air service is exposed to the sun, rain, snow, and wind. More so, they are at risk of being hit by road debris, flying objects, and tree branches. These could cause damage to it.

on the flip side, the enclosed system protects from outdoor interference. And more than just protecting from environmental harm, covering keeps away curious public eyes. This is especially so for high-end autos. The wrong set of eyes looking at your coveted SUV could attract evil thoughts! It is no surprise that your company will favor enclosed ones for luxurious vehicles.

What is My Budget?

The enclosed one is expensive for four reasons:

• The open-air loads more vehicles than the carrier. For instance, an open trailer can load up to ten cars while an enclosed one will carry 5-7 vehicles. This implies that the hauler can spread costs across more customers. This helps the hauler minimize the moving cost per car.
• The trailer is more expensive to purchase than the open-air truck. The trailers may contain additional hydraulic ramps to help load low-ground clearance. Other trailers are more advanced to accommodate luxurious ones.
• As an implication of the higher purchasing cost of the trailer, fewer of them are bought. It is no surprise that only 10 percent of trailers are enclosed. The scarcity element makes this mode more expensive.
• Due to the type of enclosed system, the drivers also need to be more experienced. Thus, the mover incurs an extra price of paying for manpower. As a result, the cost is passed on to the consumer.

Typically the system is a premium service. In most cases, the difference in cost is double.

How Soon Do I Need It?

This premium service is not as popular as the open-air. It follows that more people book their shipments. This means that companies have more trailers delivering cars via this affordable method. In return, you are likely to get it faster when hauled via open air than by enclosed dispatching.

What is my location?

If you need it delivered to a specific location, it would be easier to do so with a few other cars on board. Thus, a trailer is ideal for such a shipment.

Finally,

If you need the enclosed service but you cannot afford the high prices, you can book earlier. Usually, booking in advance is cheaper than an emergency shipment. At A1-AT, we offer discounts to our customers.

The bottom line is, that customers who want the enclosed method have invested more in it and wouldn’t mind going the extra mile. But generally, both systems are safe.