5 Tips for Preparing a Classic Car for Transport

Investing in a classic car is a must for car enthusiasts, whether you love an old-fashioned T-bird or if you go even further back with your collection. When you are seeking a classic car transport service or a service that provides enclosed car transport solutions, there are a few tips to help you prepare your classic car ahead of time.

1. Remove All Personal Items Before Using a Classic Car Transport Service

Whether you intend to transport your classic car to another city or move across the country, it is essential to remove belongings and personal items before beginning the transportation process. Because you will not be with your classic car throughout the entire process of its transport, it is best to remove belongings and personal items that cannot be replaced or refunded if they are lost or stolen.

Although most classic car transport services provide insurance and protection from theft and loss, it may still not be worth the risk to lose the belongings you currently have stored or placed in your car.

• Thoroughly Clean Your Car

After you have removed your belongings from your classic car, it is highly advisable to clean your car thoroughly, both inside and out. Thoroughly cleaning your car will ensure it is in tip-top shape for transport while also providing you with another opportunity to find and preserve personal belongings that you might have left in your car.

• Take Photos of Your Car

Anytime you need a classic car transport service, it is highly advisable to take photos of the condition of your car before turning it over to your preferred provider.

2. Turn on Your Car

If your classic car has been sitting for weeks or even months in the same location, it is best to turn on and run your vehicle before transporting it, especially if you intend to drive it to its final destination.

Classic cars work best if they are run from time to time. Allowing such a car to sit without running it or turning on its battery can lead to bigger issues that require an on-site mechanic after your car’s transportation is complete. Keeping the battery adequately charged even when it is not in use is an essential aspect of owning an older car or a classic vehicle of any kind.

• Remove Your Toll Charging Device

You can also opt to unplug or remove your toll charging device from your classic car before starting the transportation process. Before transporting them, it is best to remove any add-on tools or devices from a classic car. In addition to traditional toll-charging devices, it is also recommended to remove additional items such as alarm systems, stickers, parking passes, and removable or collectible emblems.

If you are searching for a way to protect and preserve your vehicle’s battery, consider getting a battery disconnect switch.

A battery disconnect switch provides you with a small plug or, in some cases, a removable pin that works to prevent battery drains from happening, even in vehicles that are sitting without being driven for extended periods.

Using a battery disconnect switch is a way for you to ensure the quality and life of your classic car’s battery, even if it has been a few months or over a year since you have used the vehicle or battery itself.

Using a small plug or removable pin, the battery disconnect switch can be used to plug into the positive-side terminal of the battery connection, keeping it from draining or causing electrical issues.

3. Take Care of Details Ahead of Time

Depending on the amount of time your classic car will be in transportation, it may be a good idea to address the fuel situation with your vehicle. When transporting a classic car between locations, using a fuel stabilizing product is highly advisable.

A fuel stabilizing product between your fill-ups can help to preserve and protect your vehicle. Additionally, some locations for fuel may add ethanol to the fuel itself, which may deteriorate and break down if your vehicle has not been driven or started for an extended period.

It is important to note that traditional, pure gasoline can typically retain its original properties for at least one year. However, if there is ethanol in the fuel you have used to fill up your classic car, it may be best to use fuel stabilizing products each time you visit a gas station before transporting the car itself.

When you plan to ship your vehicle across the country or over a few days or weeks, it is best to fill your car with 1/4 of a gas tank to avoid adding to the hazard of transporting a vehicle.

• Tire Gauge

If you occasionally drive your classic car, it is advisable to stock the vehicle with a tire gauge and, in some cases, a pancake air compressor. You can store these useful tools in your garage whenever your vehicle is not in use.

Ensuring your tires are properly filled and have not lost significant pressure. At the same time, your classic car is stored as an imperative, especially if you are planning to transport the vehicle to a new destination or location.

Always check the pressure of your classic car’s tires using a tire gauge to determine whether or not your vehicle requires more air before transporting it or even taking it out on the road.

• Make Another Set of Keys

Rather than giving away your only set of keys to your preferred vehicle transporter, have another set of keys made ahead of time. Having a copy of your keys is a way to maintain peace of mind while you await the completion of your transport.

• Request a Maintenance Check

Before sending your vehicle off to be transported, it is best to have a thorough maintenance check conducted by your preferred mechanic. Whenever you have a maintenance check completed, be sure to take photos and gather and store any necessary paperwork you receive from your work.

Ensuring your vehicle remains in the same condition from the beginning of the transportation process until the end is essential. It is much easier with photographs of your vehicle and a verifiable paper trail.

• Verify Insurance and Coverage

Even if you have traditional insurance on your vehicle, there is no guarantee that it will cover damage or a total loss of a collectible. Many classic cars in the USA that are valued at $100,000 or more may already have the maximum insurance coverage available, which is why it is best to work with a transporter service that specializes in transporting classic cars and collectibles.

A transporter service specializing in custom and classic vehicles will provide more insurance than traditional carriers and transportation services. When you choose to go with a classic car transporter, it is much easier to keep your mind at ease, as insurance policies can typically range from $500,000 to more than USD 5 million.

Before you settle on a classic car transport service or an enclosed car transport provider, inquire about the type of insurance they offer as well as their current insurance coverage limit.

If your vehicle’s value is worth more than the amount of coverage you are offered from your preferred classic car transport service, you can also attempt to negotiate. Inquire about the possibility of the transporter taking out an additional insurance policy to receive your busin

4. Load Your Vehicle With Maximum Allowed Luggage Weight (If Necessary)

Suppose you plan to transport your classic car to another state or even across water or the entire country. In that case, it is often recommended to load your vehicle with the maximum allowed luggage weight possible.

Adding luggage and weight to your vehicle before transport will help to stabilize it throughout the transportation process. Although you will be working with professionals, a heavier car is less likely to skid and move around easily, especially when transporting older classic cars.

Even if you are using an enclosed car transport service, loading your vehicle with the maximum allowed luggage weight will help to ensure your vehicle remains in place.

5. Position Your Vehicle Properly

Once you select a classic car transport service, you can then establish the details of the pickup and transport date.

Most carrier trucks will request that you position your vehicle in a convenient location for pickup and transport. Working out these details with your preferred carrier before your scheduled pickup date is ideal.

Inform your carrier of any information or details they may require to reach and pick up your vehicle with ease successfully. If possible, make sure that you are on-site and available during the pickup to ensure that the process goes over as smoothly as possible with your presence.

If you live in a gated community or your car transport provider will need permission to enter your neighborhood or property, inform them ahead of time to prevent hangups and schedule interference.

Transporting a classic car using a traditional classic car transport service or an enclosed car transport service is a way to move any car from one location to another without the hassle.

With the right car transport provider like National Dispatch, maintain your peace of mind knowing your classic collectible is in the right hands at all times, even when headed across the country.