There are about 11,672 businesses in long-distance specialized freight trucking in Canada; a category that involves vehicle transport services. Many of these businesses offer two different auto shipping methods: open and enclosed auto shipping.
Which one you should choose to ship your car depends on various factors. Learn more details in this guide about the open vs. enclosed auto shipping, and which transport method is right for your car.
While both of these transport methods involve loading your vehicle onto a trailer and shipping it by road, still there are some key differences between these two methods. Let’s break down each method individually to learn about these differences.
In the open trailer vehicle shipping method, your car is shipped via an open trailer that doesn’t have solid walls or a roof. And mostly it has two levels, which means it is able to ship at least 5 to 9 cars at a time. It is the most common shipping method for transporting cars across Canada, and to/from the U.S.
In fact, as per our findings, about 86% of the vehicles that are transported across the Canada. are shipped using open trailers.
Most bulk dealers and rental places use open car shipping methods. But private car owners can also use this method, if they’re on a budget and they’re only delivering over a short distance (up to 500 miles).
This auto shipping method moves your car in a fully enclosed trailer that has walls, a roof, and a solid floor. Also, an enclosed auto shipping method uses technologies like air-ride suspensions, lift-gates, LED lighting, and an anti-sway approach.
However, these trailers are less common compared to open shipping trailers and are not readily available. There are about 9 open trucks for every enclosed trailer. That means the waiting time before a car pickup is longer in the case of enclosed auto transport.
Also, it is 30-40% more expensive than the open car shipping method.
If you’re an exotic car owner, a collector, or a luxury dealership, you should use an enclosed auto shipping trailer to move your car.
| Factor | Open Car Transport | Enclosed Car Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Less protection against weather conditions, road elements, and theft | Extra protection against harsh weather, dust, and unwanted exposure |
| Price | Around $500–$750 CAD (for 500 miles) | Around $800–$1,000 CAD (for 500 miles) |
| Carrier Availability | Easily available, accommodates up to 9 vehicles | Limited availability, accommodates up to 6 vehicles |
| Speed and Efficiency | Quick shipping method | Slower shipping due to limited availability and special handling protocols |
| Delivery Time | 3–10 days (for almost 3,000 miles) | 5–15 days due to limited availability (for almost 3,000 miles) |
| Ramp Type | Long, detachable loading ramps or tilt-bed design | Rear ramp door or hydraulic lift gates |
| Types of Trailers | Single-level, double-level, multi-level, flatbed, tilt-bed, hydraulic lift | Single-car enclosed trailer, multi-car enclosed trailer, specialty trailers |
| Insurance Coverage | $100,000 to $150,000 | $250,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Best For | Faster shipping and daily-use vehicles | Exotic or high-value vehicles requiring extra protection |
The most common types of trailers used in the open car shipping method comprises single-level trailers, double-level trailers, flatbed, and low-profile trailers.
Such trailers typically accommodate local moves, and they can ship up to 4 cars.
These types of trailers feature a double-deck for vehicle loading. And most dealerships opt for double-level multi-car trailers to move up to 10 vehicles over long distances.
When moving heavy farm equipment or non-standard vehicles, flatbed trailers are used. These trailers are huge in size and they often display certain caution signs over them to ensure safe shipping.
For instance, if you’re shipping farm equipment from Canada to the U.S. on a flatbed trailer, it should have proper lighting, hazard signage, and other safety devices as required by the U.S. states and local laws for safe shipping services.
Low-profile trailers are specifically used to move taller vehicles, without exceeding height restrictions. And these can ship up to 5 cars.
Typically you’ll find three different types of enclosed car trailers: single-car enclosed trailers, multi-car enclosed trailers, and specialty trailers.
Such trailers move one car at a time with the highest degree of protection. And this type of enclosed auto transport benefits luxury car owners who require extra care and protection for their vehicle.
Such trailers offer a comparatively budget-friendly enclosed car shipping with a space for two to six luxury vehicles. These offer the same protection and care that single-car trailers offer. However, it’s a better option when you’re shipping multiple valuable vehicles.
Specialty trailers offer superior protection and are perfect classic cars. These are custom-built, fitted with high-end technologies, such as GPS monitoring, motion sensors, and onboard CCTV cameras. You’ll find hydraulic lift gates in such trailers.
On average it costs $500 to $750 CAD to ship a vehicle over 500 miles using open carrier transport, while it costs $800 to $1,000 CAD to ship a vehicle over the same distance using an enclosed trailer.
But, you can also save money while transporting your car in an enclosed trailer. For instance, according to industry data, choosing a terminal-to-terminal service can save you up to 10%. Or, if you book your car shipping in an off-peak season, you can save 10 to 20%.
Whether you should choose open car shipping or enclosed car shipping method depends on a lot of factors, such as your car type, the distance to be travelled, delivery time, your budget, the level of protection you want, the type of service you need, the destination, the trailer type, and more. All of this is mentioned in detail in this blog.
However, for a quick analysis, keep three things in mind: the value of your car, shipping distance, and your specific requirements.
The best way to ship your car depends on your needs and budget. Open car shipping works well for most vehicles, while enclosed shipping is ideal for high-value or specialty cars that require extra protection.
Open car shipping is the most budget-friendly option and typically costs 30–40% less than enclosed transport. For additional savings, terminal-to-terminal shipping and booking at least two weeks in advance can help lower costs.
Yes, enclosed car shipping is worth the cost for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles. It provides maximum protection from weather and road debris and usually includes higher insurance coverage.
Yes, non-operational vehicles can be shipped. However, the cost is usually $100–$200 higher due to specialized loading equipment, often using a flatbed or winch-assisted trailer.
Consider your vehicle’s value, shipping distance, and delivery requirements. Open transport works well for standard vehicles and short distances, while enclosed or door-to-door services are better for rural areas or higher-value cars.
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