When living in the beautiful Washington state, you have to get used to a rainy climate. That or perhaps move to a neighboring state, maybe across the country where the sun shines a little brighter. You could consider going south to Florida, where it’s always sunny, the complete opposite end of the scale.
Wherever you choose, the distance will be too far to add that mileage to your auto. Cars with extensive miles have more difficulty getting value regardless of whether they’re of a newer age. You won’t want to put that kind of wear and tear on the vehicle, either.
That can lead to mechanical problems with the possibility of expensive repairs. The most cost-efficient approach to a move of this capacity is to ship the car to your new location. Auto transport companies handle much of the process and guide you through your part, making it as stress-free as possible.
One thing you must do before the vehicle can be shipped is prepare the auto. Doing so will ensure a smooth shipment and give you peace of mind.
Learn tips for preparing your car for shipment at https://timebusinessnews.com/9-tips-to-prepare-for-shipping-your-car/ and then consider the steps below that most auto transport companies expect owners to follow before dropping their vehicles off for shipping.
Tips For Preparing a Car for Auto Transport from Washington
Moving to another state or the other side of the United States from Washinton can be relatively easy if you take a bag, a few essentials and just fly.
Still, you have a car to consider. Sometimes, the moving company that handles your furnishings and other personal belongings can handle car shipping.
But the businesses specializing in the industry have years of experience and a good reputation with drivers thoroughly trained in defensive driving can offer quality experience. The carriers will guide you through the steps to ensure a stress-free process, including letting you know how to get your car ready to go.
Let’s look at those steps so you’ll be one step ahead in the auto transport process when it’s time for you to move.
· Detail cleaning of the auto
Before the car can be dropped off at the terminal, it must be detail-cleaned inside and outside. In this process, you’ll want to remove everything from the vehicle that’s loose and all custom equipment or personalized items, anything from the trunk or hatch.
The carrier won’t be responsible for these items if there’s a loss. When finished cleaning it thoroughly, you can then take pictures of the entire body to capture any preexisting damage.
Before the driver assumes responsibility for the car, there will be an inspection and a “condition report” documenting the damage. Click for details on auto transport prep.
When it’s clean, any dings, dents, or scratches are readily visible. You’ll get a copy of the report and can compare these when the car arrives at the new location.
· The odometer
While you have photos of the body of the vehicle, a clear picture of the odometer should be taken with a date and time stamp for your own peace of mind. Some clients are concerned that the cars are unloaded, and the drivers use them for personal reasons.
With trusted, reputable companies, that’s never happened, but owners will have every worry when their significant personal investment is left in the care of someone they don’t know. By taking a picture of the odometer, you have proof that there was no inappropriate behavior while the auto was in transit.
· Remove all accessories
Any accessories on the vehicle should be removed to avoid the potential for damage to the car or the accessories. Only remove these if they’re not a challenge to take off.
These include items like luggage racks, ski racks, bike racks, customized parts like spoilers, the antenna, and the side view mirrors tucked in. As the trailer travels along the roads, depending on the road conditions, there can be considerable bouncing around; the car could be shaking and shifting.
Again, with reputable auto transport Washington state company, there’s minimal chance for damage, but there are instances where things happen that are out of the driver’s control, including severe weather; the fewer components, the less possibility for damage.
· The gas
A car will only need to be roughly ¼ tank, enough to pull onto the trailer and drive off. The less weight for travel, the better for the driver when pulling into the weight stations while in transit.
Final Thought
Moving from Washington to a sunnier location can be a significant change, but getting there doesn’t need to be stressful as long as you follow the steps offered by the auto transport company.
These are merely a few tips for preparing the car for the trip. For a more thorough list, check with the shipping service when booking – something you should do well beforehand. A prep list should be available on their website.