Vehicle Transportation & Equipment Transportation

Transporting Passenger Vehicles

Having a passenger vehicle shipped versus having heavy equipment shipped deserves different considerations.

These days the car transportation industry is very competitive particularly on the internet. This is because they understand the average person goes to their computer when they need to find something out. They do not pick up the telephone. Furthermore, auto transporters are aware potential customers want to receive several to many prices quotes at the click of one bottom. This efficiency simply can't be matched via other avenues, i.e., phone or fax. The time it would take the average person to call 10 car transportation carriers individually would take them hours.

This means that those having their vehicle transported are saving money. For we all know the fundamental economic truism, competition brings down prices. In the same turn, profits for auto shippers are increased because their volume increases as result of more competitive pricing. The internet has really allowed the passenger vehicle shipping industry to swell.

In addition, internet-based commerce tends to have a quicker turn around time from initial contact to services rendered to payment. An industry that is web-centric very likely to utilize computers for as many company tasks as possible, from sales to billing to accounting. Filling out and filing loads of forms and paper via arcane systems simply takes longer. This means one seeking an auto transporter is apt to have speedy turn around time. The faster a turnaround, the faster a profit, and the quicker the industry grows. This is good for everyone. If you find yourself in a difficult spot someday and you have to have your car shipped in a short window of time, for example, chances are an auto shipper can help you.

Auto shippers are also more person-focused rather than company-focused. This is because other than car dealerships, the majority of car shipping business comes from individuals. This means that their services are more customer service oriented. The sales teams at auto carriers around the country are used to dealing with an array of needs the individual requires. This is typically more personal and more intimate than would be the case with corporations or companies. In the end, the customer service reps become seasoned personal problem solvers.

The rules for auto shippers all around America are simply that they must carry a certain level of insurance to insurance damages to the cars they are transporting. However, this insurance has limitations. For example, any personal belongings that may be shipped inside an automobile are not covered. Furthermore, stereos, GPS units, and the like are not insured by mandatory insurance. All carrier drivers must go through a license and bonding process that is pretty uniform through out the country, although some states go through the process a bit differently.

Transporting Heavy Equipment

Moving heavy equipment such as dump trucks, excavators, forklifts, or high-powered generators, is quite different when compared to the auto shipping business.

First off, equipment shipping industry is considerably less web savvy. The reason for this seems to be rather straightforward. Many businesses are reluctant if not slow to extend their presence onto the internet. It costs money to do this and is notably different than what many people are used to. These two factors are notorious for stalling progress in almost any market. This has a multitude of implications.

Since equipment transport companies rely more on the phone than the computer several things are apparent. The business is less competitive. It is not that there is not noticeable competition. It's just the level of competition does not compare. People who are fighting for business via the web may to compete with companies from all over the world. Those working from a phone book are likely only competing with those in certain county, state, or region. A direct result of this is pricing is less competitive. When this is the case, volume tends to grow less quickly. This is neither beneficial to the business nor individual customer.

What a paper-based industry also means is sluggishness. The time it takes to fill out, copy, fax, and file throngs of paperwork cuts into a company's efficiency significantly. This has been proven, for instance, in the healthcare sector, where information technology has resulted in remarkable increases in productivity. The slower it takes to render a service the longer it takes for a client's needs to be satisfied. This can cut into business. It certainly does not help to boost sales. A consequence of this is that equipment shippers have to charge more than they would for their services. Low volume becomes a perpetual disaster.

There are several heavy equipment shipping laws and regulations which are important to understand.

First, the weigh of a shipment verses the route the driver is going to take needed to be studied. Many roads throughout the country have weight limitations on the loads transporters are allowed to carry. These restrictions tend to vary from state to state and often even from road to road. Before okaying shipment of, say, propellers for wind towers, for a certain price it is crucial to create a route where the weight laws are obeyed, unless heavy fines are acceptable. If you need to make more than one trip tell you client that. It is better they know the hard news up front than while their equipment is already en route.

Second, the vehicles employed to perform the transportation must be up to standards. There are basic traffic and motor vehicles laws that have to be considered, such as having a valid license, license plate, and up-to-date registration. Furthermore, only certain types of trucks are allowed by law to ship particular weight loads and goods. If you use an SUV to ship steel, for example, you might be breaking the law.

Third, the rules regarding the securing of items being shipped is must be closely monitored. Shipping a massive tractor with flapping loose chains is likely illegal as well as a danger to everyone whose path you cross, not to mention your own. Make sure all restraints, ropes, and chains are fastened as taughtly as the law requires, if not more so.

There are many other considerations. However, it would be verbose to enumerate them all. The last major thing to bear in mind if you are a heavy equipment transporter or potential client is hour limitations. Truck drivers are notorious for long halls. But this is illegal in many cases. Many laws prohibit a transporter to drive more than 8 hours at once. If you get pulled over for swerving or unsafe driving you may lose your job, and even your license. You cannot tell the officer that you were just tired because of a long shift either, because then they'll likely get you on reckless driving as well as going over your hours. This is not beneficial to the business, the driver, or others on the road. Take hour limitations seriously.