How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Shipping
helpful tips on vehicle shipping and preparation.
wash your car | In order to better facilitate an inspection at pick up, please present the vehicle to the carrier in a clean condition. This allows a thorough evaluation of the vehicle prior to transporting. It is not necessary or recommended that a complete detail be performed prior to the move. Just make sure the vehicle has been washed and is clean.
gas | Your gas tank should be at least 1/4 but no more than 1/2 full for a domestic relocation. If your vehicle is being transported internationally, via a port, please have the gas level below 1/4 tank or it will be refused. Carriers will sometimes have to reposition your vehicle on the transporter to load and unload other vehicles resulting in minimal additional mileage.
antennas | Antennas should be lowered or removed. Temporary antennas such as (but not limited to) cell phone or CB radios should be removed. Most antennas can be unscrewed and placed in a seat back or glove box for each and safe transit.
keys | The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires the carrier be provided with one set of all keys for the vehicle, including the ignition, trunk and glove box keys. If the vehicle can be accessed without a remote, please remove any remote or key fob from the key chain that is provided to the carrier.
alarms | Alarms should be turned off. If there are special instructions required to start a vehicle or to disarm an alarm, please advise reindeer or the carrier. reindeer or the carrier is not responsible for drained batteries as a result of an alarm that has not been turned off.
accessories | Remove any luggage, bike, ski racks, bug shields or any other items not permanently attached to the vehicle. Any after factory modifications or accessories added to the car cannot be the carriers’ responsibility.
climate | Make sure your vehicle is prepared for any climate. Add coolants, transmission fluid, antifreeze and other fluids as needed prior to pick up. Neither reindeer nor the motor carrier shall be responsible for damage caused as a result of Acts of God or nature which result in different climatic conditions. The best protection for your car to ensure a smooth transit and delivery, is to have the vehicle prepared for both the relocation as well as the new climatic conditions at your destination. For positioning purposes, please notify our office of any known fluid leaks your vehicle may have.
spoilers | Spoilers, fairing, air dams, and/or other low hanging items should be removed, or sufficient clearance must be assured to facilitate loading on the rail and truck ramps. Any damage caused by a low-hanging item hanging up, catching on, or scraping on the rail and truck ramps shall be denied.
caps/canopies/tonneau covers | Caps, canopies, tonneau covers, camper shells or other such items on the bed of your pick up truck should be removed and shipped with your household goods. We suggest any after factory items be removed and shipped separately to ensure the safety of your vehicle, the driver and other drivers on roadways. If you insist on shipping your truck with something on or in the bed of your truck, you may, but at all times must be properly bolted to the bed of the truck. All vinyl or canvas tonneau covers must be either rolled (retracted) and locked if not removed. Any items left on or in the bed of the truck will require an additional waiver to be signed prior to transit. Please ask your relocation coordinator about this waiver when scheduling your pick up truck relocation.
personal items | Please do not leave or pack anything inside your vehicle for the relocation. Neither reindeer auto relocation nor the carrier shall be responsible for anything loose inside the vehicle including but not limited to cell phones, radar detectors, removable radios, sunglasses, EZ Passes, etc. DOT prohibits the carrying of any personal items on a truck licensed only for transporting vehicles. Stored personal items can also increase the overall weight of your vehicle which could cause damage during transport. Non-compliance will result in removal of items upon inspection.
locations | Ensure both your pick up and drop off locations are tractor-trailer accessible. Please contact you relocation coordinator if the 80 foot car hauler will be unable to safely maneuver to and from each address.
pick up/delivery times | We pick up Monday – Saturday between 8-5. We deliver every day of the week during daylight hours. The driver will call prior to pick up and delivery to set up the specific times with you.
