Everything You Need to Know About Winter Car Shipping
Whether you’re moving south for the winter or starting a new job across the country, getting your car shipped during the winter may seem more difficult than it is. At Preowned Auto Logistics, we’re very familiar with winter car shipping, and we’ll be able to get your car moved quickly and efficiently no matter what season you need to move your vehicle.
Are Many Cars Shipped in the Winter?
Seasonal car shipping is very common in the transportation industry as people move their vehicles for the holidays or to avoid the colder months. Booking ahead of time ensures that your car will get shipped during the winter when you need it without additional fees. We recommend reaching out to book your car shipping around August or September if you plan to ship your car in the winter.
A lot of the cars being shipped in the winter months are due to families with seasonal homes. Shipping their car down to Florida or wherever their winter home is located is a stress-free way to ensure they have their vehicle without the need to drive it themselves.
Is Winter Car Shipping Hazardous?
Traveling during the winter is more hazardous because of the potential for sleet, snow, and ice on the roads. However, our drivers are very safe and concerned with ensuring your vehicles arrive safely no matter what. If there are problems on the road, like a snowstorm or icy roads, the driver will make the call to pull over and wait for conditions to improve.
Are Delays Common When Shipping Your Car in the Winter?
Because of the weather conditions that make traveling during the winter more hazardous, delays are more common in the winter. Our drivers at Preowned Auto Logistics are very sensitive to weather conditions in order to keep the vehicles on their trucks safe, so if there is a significant risk, they’ll pull over until the risk passes. This practice can result in delays, but it is done to prevent potential damage or problems on the road.
How Will PAL Handle Delays?
At Preowned Auto Logistics, we plan for delays, so your vehicle is less likely to arrive late. We tell customers to drop off their vehicles 7-10 business days before they need it in the new location so that the driver can get them delivered, even with unforeseen delays.
Additionally, we will call you immediately if there is a delay with the shipment of your car. We’re very concerned about keeping you informed about your vehicle’s location and expected delivery so that you can rest easy from the time you drop it off until it arrives at your destination.
What are the Benefits of Shipping Your Car in the Winter?
Avoiding the Cold
Most of the vehicles being shipped during the winter are for people who own seasonal homes. So, many of the cars being transported will spend the winter in Florida or some other southern state and be transported back north in the spring. This is a typical practice for many retired folks or families who dislike spending the winter cooped up in their homes.
Costs of Shipping
Getting your car shipped in the winter can be less expensive than other times of the year, depending on a few factors. You’ll want to book ahead of time to get the best price for your shipping. Additionally, you can ask which weeks are less busy to try and save more on your vehicle shipping during the winter months. Because there is a lot of traffic after the holidays, you may be able to find savings by choosing a less busy week to ship your car.
Is Shipping a Car in the Winter Expensive?
It can be. Because there are a lot of seasonal travelers moving down to their winter homes in the south after the holidays, early January is a very expensive time to ship your vehicle. However, booking ahead of time and choosing a less busy week to ship your car can help reduce the expense significantly.
Most Expensive Times to Ship Your Car
Due to the holidays, avoiding cold weather, and other factors, October is a very expensive time to get your car shipped. If you’re considering leaving for your seasonal home in the early fall, you might consider delaying until November or December. However, then you run into problems with the holidays.
Because most people don’t want to leave until after the holidays, early January is another expensive time to ship your vehicle. When you’re planning to return home, April is an expensive month for shipping, so it’s best to plan around these dates carefully.
Least Expensive Times to Ship Your Car
Finding a less expensive time to ship your car is mostly a matter of working with the customer service representative who is helping you book your shipping. It can vary from week to week, so just talk to your customer service rep when booking to get the best deal. We suggest booking as far ahead of time as possible so we can give you the best rate for your expected travel dates. Avoiding shipping your vehicle during the highest volume times will help you to get a lower rate.
How Should I Prepare My Car for Winter Shipping?
Preparing your vehicle for shipping in the winter is very similar to any other time of year. You’ll want to ask for specifications when booking your shipment; however, the basics for how to prepare your vehicle for shipping below will help you get the basics ready.
Leave the Gas Tank at ¼ or Less
Any time you’re shipping your vehicle, you’ll need to keep your gas tank at ¼ full or less. This step helps the trunk that’s hauling your car and others to meet the weight requirements and plan ahead.
Fewer than 100 lbs. of Personal Items
Because weight requirements for carries are highly regulated, the driver will need to plan and monitor all the vehicles and the weight on their truck. By limiting personal items to under 100 lbs. in each car, the driver can plan better and ensure they don’t over-pack the truck.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Be sure that your tires are properly aired up before dropping your vehicle off at the terminal. This will make it easy for your driver to load and unload the car onto the truck without worrying about the tires not being full enough or other problems.
Ask About Winter-Grade Oil, Depending on Your Destination
Depending on where you are shipping your car, you should add winter-grade oil before you drop it off for shipment. Don’t worry about this step if you’re sending your vehicle down south for the winter. You won’t need winter-grade oil in the south, so you’ll just waste time and money. If you’re moving north or to a northern state, you’ll probably want to get your car in for an oil change before shipment or as soon as you arrive in the new location.
Get The Best Rate on Car Shipping﹘ Request a Quote Today
Whether you’re looking to book a vehicle shipping for the winter or plan your return trip for the summer months, we can help! Call us at 877.542.1955 and receive a custom quote for your auto transport needs.
Customer Reviews
“Outstanding! We called at the last minute (the day before leaving for Florida), and Mike was very receptive. We left on a Wednesday. Our cars were picked up on Wednesday, and Mike attempted to find a truck/driver to bring our cars. They were picked up on a Saturday morning and surprisingly delivered (Monday)late morning. Their service and devotion to assist the customer was fantastic! Very, very pleased!!!”
– Linda Marconi
“This is second time using Preowned Auto Logistics, and I could not be any happier. Kerri was so professional and helpful. My daughter’s car made it to Florida quickly and without a scratch. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a car transport.”
– Karen Campagna
