If you are entrusting us with your interstate vehicle freight, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll take care of all the logistics. From route planning and scheduling to safe loading, transport and delivery, our experienced team manages every stage of the journey to ensure your vehicle arrives exactly as it left.
But you’re not completely off the hook! A little preparation can help avoid delays, make inspection easier, and ensure your vehicle is ready for safe transport. There are a few simple steps you can take before collection day, to ensure everything runs smoothly:
- Clean your vehicle prior to collection
- Document the condition of your vehicle prior to loading
- Remove all your personal belongings
- Check your fuel level
- Confirm your vehicle’s mechanical and operational status
- Remove or secure accessories and loose attachments
- Check collection and delivery point suitability
- Have keys and paperwork ready
Cleaning Your Vehicle
Don’t worry, we’re not suggesting getting your car detailed and polished within an inch of its life. A basic wash to remove dirt, mud and road grime that may be hiding any imperfections such as scratches, road chips and minor dents is sufficient. This makes it easier for us to conduct an accurate and thorough condition report at collection.
Documenting the Vehicle’s Condition
For added peace of mind, consider documenting your vehicle’s condition yourself by taking photographs before it’s loaded for its journey. Be sure to capture clear images of all sides of your vehicle including bumpers, mirrors and any existing damage.
Removal of Personal Belongings
Unfortunately, filling your car with your personal belongings to transport them too, is not an option. In fact, it is a good idea to remove all personal belongings from the vehicle as loose items can move around during transport potentially causing damage to your interior.
Don’t forget to check the glovebox, centre console, door pockets and boot for personal items before handover.
Fuel Level Check
It’s a popular misconception that you should fill your tank before transporting it. When you consider that a full 60 litre tank of fuel adds around 45 kilos of unnecessary weight to your car, it’s easy to see why a quarter of a tank is actually the sweet spot. This is more than enough for our driver to load and unload your car safely and helps us to operate within strict industry weight limits.
Ensuring Your Vehicle is Operational
If your vehicle is in running condition make sure the battery is charged, tyres are inflated correctly and there are no issues that could affect loading and unloading.
If the vehicle has mechanical concerns such as a flat battery, faulty brakes, steering issues, suspension problems or low ground clearance, it’s important to advise us before collection so the correct equipment and loading procedures can be arranged.
Making Sure There is Enough Collection Space
One of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle transport is access for the transport truck. Our carriers can be up to 20 metres long, which means they require sufficient space not only to pull up safely, but also manoeuvre and exit the street after loading. Narrow suburban streets, cul-de-sacs, low hanging trees, parked vehicles and restricted access can sometimes make direct collection from a residential address difficult.
If access to your property is limited, don’t worry. In many cases, a nearby shopping centre car park, public reserve, industrial area or other large open space can be used as a collection point. Our team can help to determine a suitable location if needed.
This also applies at the delivery point.
Secure or Remove Accessories
Trucks create a wind draft as they travel, causing extreme buffeting to any loose items. Flapping canvas and loose ropes can cause paint and panel damage or come away from the vehicle entirely, becoming a road hazard. Loose windows can blow open, become damaged or fly off, leaving interiors exposed and creating a hazard for traffic. It is important that anything that can blow open, fly, rip, or cause damage is properly secured or removed.
Removable accessories such as bike racks, roof storage systems, antennas and other external attachments should be taken off before collection as they may be vulnerable to damage during long distance transport.
This advice also applies for caravan transport and boat transport.
Have Your Keys and Paperwork Ready
On collection day have all relevant keys available and clearly identified. This includes alarm fobs, immobilizer devices and locking wheel nut keys if applicable.
Make sure your registration is up to date, or disclose if it will be unregistered.
Ensure that all contact details are accurate so that our team can keep you informed throughout the journey.
Whether you’re arranging interstate car transport, or relocating a newly purchased vehicle, being prepared before the collection helps eliminate unnecessary delays and allows us to focus on what we do best — getting your asset safely to its destination.
For stress-free interstate vehicle freight contact us today!
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