Pro Tips: How to Prepare Your Car for a Smooth Transport Experience
Shipping your car across the country—whether it’s from our Nisku terminal to the oil sands or from Halifax to St. John’s—is a major logistical move. While our drivers and terminal staff handle the heavy lifting, a little preparation on your end goes a long way.
To ensure your vehicle arrives safely and on time, follow this essential “Pre-Transport Checklist.”
1. Clean the Interior and Exterior
It might seem counterintuitive to wash a car that’s about to go on an open trailer, but a clean car is essential for the Pre-Trip Inspection.
- Exterior: A clean car allows the driver to accurately note any existing chips, dents, or scratches.
- Interior: Dust and vacuum to ensure your car is ready for immediate use upon arrival.
2. Remove Personal Belongings
By law, auto transporters are not licensed to carry household goods.
- Remove all loose items: GPS units, dash cams, chargers, and air fresheners.
- Items left in the car are not covered by transport insurance and can shift during transit, potentially causing interior damage
3. Deactivate or Remove Toll Tags
If you have a transponder (like a 407 ETR or Macpass), remove it or disable it. As the truck passes through electronic toll booths, the scanners may pick up your tag, resulting in unnecessary charges for a trip you didn’t drive!
4. Check Fluids and Battery
Your car will need to be driven on and off the trailer.
- Ensure the battery is healthy and the car starts reliably.
- Check for leaks. If your vehicle has a significant fluid leak, inform us in advance, as we may need to place it on the bottom rack to protect other vehicles.
5. Keep the Gas Tank at 1/4 Full
A full tank of gas adds significant weight to the carrier. For safety and efficiency, we recommend having roughly one-quarter (1/4) of a tank. This is enough for loading and unloading but keeps the overall weight of the trailer within legal limits
6. Retract or Remove Antennas and Accessories
To prevent damage from low-hanging branches or the trailer structure:
- Retract or unscrew permanent antennas.
- Remove bike racks, roof racks, and specialized spoilers.
- Fold in your side mirrors once the car is positioned on the trailer.
7. Perform a Final Walkthrough
When the driver arrives for pickup, you will perform a joint inspection.
- Document Everything: Take high-quality photos of the car from all angles in good lighting.
- The Bill of Lading: This is your most important document. It’s the official record of your car’s condition before it leaves your sight.
Why Preparation Matters
Taking these steps doesn’t just protect your car—it speeds up the entire process at our terminals in Vancouver, Nisku, or Toronto. A car that is ready to go means a truck that stays on schedule!