Answered by Jenna Farmer
December 23, 2013Hi, thank you for visiting Movers.com! Auto transport can be a tricky subject, so you've come to the right place to find the information you need.
The way you will need to load your car onto the trailer will depend greatly on the type of trailer you have. You will also need a ramp, which will need to have an incline that will avoid your front end hitting the ramp on the way up. Ramps may be attached to some trailers and can fold out easily and be dropped into place, while others may need to be attached with pins after they are unfolded.
Some trailers, most commonly used commercially, have hydraulic tilting beds that will tilt to form the ramp, and then adjust back to a flat position for transport once the vehicle is secure - though these will most likely be very costly.
How to Load
If you will be loading the car yourself, you will need to drive it up the ramp evenly (so the wheels are perfectly in line with the ramp) and very slowly, with caution. You may want to have a few friends or neighbors get behind the car and simply push it up part of the way, depending on the car's weight. Here are a few additional tips for vehicles with low ground clearance:
- Lay a wooden board (2 x 8 or more, depending on the length of your vehicle) under the ramp, or even stack a few, to evenly increase the clearance.
- Pull your truck onto an elevated ground (like a higher curb) to raise the hitchball.
- If you use 2 x 8 boards for any clearance elevation, be sure to remove the boards once your vehicle is secured on the trailer.
Hire Professionals
If you aren't 100 percent confident in loading and transporting your vehicle, you can fill out our simple quote form to get free estimates from up to seven different auto shippers in your area - these companies are specially trained in vehicle transport, and can answer any questions you may have about the auto shipping process.
Good luck with your move!