Are you planning a move cross country? You’re probably finding out it can be a costly business. Depending on the size of your house, you could be looking at spending up to $5,000!
It’s only natural to look for ways to reduce costs wherever possible. So if you’re shipping a car, what about stuffing it full of stuff? Is that possible, or even legal?
Let’s take a closer look at what you can put in your car during the car shipping process.
Car Shipping: Can I Stuff It with Stuff Inside?
The answer to this question is both a yes, and a no.
Firstly, it’s legal to do so. There is no law to say that your vehicle must be empty during the car shipping process. But the complication comes with the carrier.
The fact is, if you ship a car across the country, you’re paying someone to do that. Whether they drive it or send it on a truck, the company will have its rules and regulations.
They’ll be looking at two factors.
The Risks Involved
Wherever there’s stuff, there’s a theft risk. That’s especially true in a car. If you pack it to the gills, you might as well put a ‘rob me’ sign on the rear windshield.
Especially if your car is being shipped across the country by driving, there’s a risk for your car and the driver. When they stop for gas, there’s a chance someone could break a window and help themselves. In that case, the owner would be liable.
Additional Weight
When you get car shipping quotes, the shipping company will calculate based on the average weight of the vehicle. If you add a lot of personal items, that’s going to increase the weight. The shipvehicles.com website states that the additional weight could lead to extra charges from the car shipping company.
That could lead to extra charges from the car shipping company. This means that it could end up being a false economy.
When searching for ‘car dealerships near me’ that provide shipping services, check out their regulations on this. The best car shipping company may be able to offer a workaround solution. This might be filling only the trunk, or below the window level.
Best Solutions for Car Shipping
If you’re planning to ship a car across the country, then pack it wisely. Don’t pack anything in the car that you can’t afford to lose.
Also, don’t pack fragile or delicate items in the car. The jostling during the journey is likely to damage them.
Also, never pack dangerous items. This could be illegal, and would certainly violate your agreement with the shipping company.
How Much to Ship a Car?
This will vary a lot depending on whether you want to ship a car to another state nearby or across the country.
To ship a car to another state nearby will cost you around $2 per mile. But if you need to ship a car across the country then costs will reduce. It could be as little as $0.60 or so per mile to ship your vehicle.
The Verdict: Can I Put Stuff in My Car During Shipping?
The answer is – yes, but be careful. Talk to your car shipping company, and get their advice. It might turn out that while it’s legal, it’s not necessarily the best idea for you.
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