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Trailer transport is the beating heart of the American auto shipping industry. It keeps dealerships stocked, provides nationwide reach for auction houses, moves precious family cars to the start of a new life, and keeps commercial fleets moving.
Most people never think about the trailer itself, and that’s the way it should be, but it makes a bigger difference than you might expect. The trailer determines how safely a vehicle travels. It shapes the total cost. It even affects how quickly a carrier can pick up or deliver your car.
AutoTransport.com focuses on making these choices simple. Every vehicle has a natural fit, and every route just needs the right equipment. Understanding the types of trailer helps you ask the right questions and make better decisions when it comes to your carrier. This page gives you a full overview and points you to the exact service pages you need as you work out your next move.
Trailer transport in its purest form is moving cars, SUVs, pickups, and commercial vehicles using a dedicated auto transport trailer. It sounds simple, but there is a science behind matching the right trailer to the right vehicle. That match controls the price you pay, the risk and potential damage, and even the delivery time.
The US shipping industry uses trailers because they create a controlled, repeatable loading process. Cars stay tied down once they’re properly balanced, and experienced carriers can follow a safe, efficient, and cost-effective checklist.
If your vehicle is valuable or low to the ground, you need specialized trailers and the top carriers. If you want the lowest price, choose the most common trailer on the road and a standardized service that has been perfected over more than a decade in the trade.
AutoTransport.com evaluates your vehicle, route, timeline, and goals before recommending the best options. That simple step removes most of the friction and frustrations you can run into when you try to arrange shipping on your own.
Limited Time Offer
When time is of the essence, our Expedited Transport Service ensure your vehicle gets where it needs to go – quickly sand safely. Whether you’re facing a tight deadline, unexpected move, or just want your car delivered ASAP, we’ve got you covered.
The industry offers several trailer categories, and each one solves a very different problem. These short introductions will help you understand where your vehicle belongs. For more information, each category links to a dedicated service page that provides the full story.
Open Carrier Car Trailers
Open carriers move the majority of cars in the country. They are the standard choice for used vehicles, daily drivers, dealership transfers, and auction purchases. They offer the best price and the best availability. If your goal is simple, cost-effective transport, this is almost always the trailer you want. Learn more on the Open Carrier Trailers page.
Enclosed Car Trailers
Enclosed trailers protect the vehicle from weather, road debris, and the outside environment. They are the premium choice for classic cars, restored trucks, exotic units, brand-new cars that have to arrive in perfect condition, or anything with custom paintwork. They cost more, but the protection is real. The loading ramps are typically more advanced, too, which helps with low clearance or performance vehicles. Visit the Enclosed Car Trailers service page for details.
Multi-Car Carriers
Multi-car setups move several vehicles at once. Dealerships and fleet managers rely on them because the cost per vehicle drops substantially. These trailers are either available as an exclusive service or you can take advantage of consistent routes and predictable delivery windows with a shared transporter. If you need efficiency and scale, this is the option for you. See the Multi Car Carrier page for full information.
Hot Shot Trailers
Hot Shot carriers are smaller and faster. They are perfect for single-vehicle moves, urgent jobs, and isolated rural pickups that standard carriers might not be able to accommodate. They work well when you need speed or flexible routing. The load-out is simple, and the timeline is faster than a traditional multi-car truck. Read more on the Hot Shot Transport page.
Specialized Trailers for Unique or Non-Running Vehicles
Some trailers are built for situations where normal equipment will not work. Lowboy trailers, drop deck platforms, tilt beds, and hydraulic liftgate systems all exist for a reason. They protect modified vehicles, oversized units, and non-running cars that cannot drive onto a standard ramp. If your vehicle has unusual dimensions or mechanical problems, one of these specialist trailers could be the answer. Visit the Specialized Trailer Services page to explore your options.
Choosing the right trailer is a structured process that we have down to a fine art. AutoTransport.com starts with the vehicle itself. Our team of logistics experts looks at the type, weight, and wheelbase of your vehicle. Your assigned specialist will check the ground clearance and condition as an automatic part of the onboarding process. So when your
carrier arrives, they already know whether the car runs, whether the steering works, and they come with the right equipment.
Our experts know a car might need full protection for a long haul, while an open trailer is more than enough for a short regional move. The weather, your budget, and your timeline can all influence your decisions. We’ve seen it all before, and our logistics experts instinctively know the best solution for your specific problem.
The securement process is handled by trained and experienced drivers, who understand proper tie-down angles and pressure points. Every job includes insurance coverage, vetted carrier networks, real-time tracking and constant communication. It is a professional workflow that gives you the peace of mind you need to hand over your vehicle and just know it’s in good hands.
Open transport is the simplest and most affordable option in most cases. Enclosed transport is a more advanced service with fewer transporters and trained drivers that can do the job to our exacting standards. Hot Shot trailers tend to cost more, but then it’s a bespoke service.
Distance, pickup location, vehicle size, and seasonal demand also influence the final rate. Larger units and non-running cars come with their own complications. Rural areas take longer to service, and high-demand months can make it harder to find the right carrier. AutoTransport.com handles all of these variables so you don’t have to, and provides a clear, accurate quote you can rely on.
If you want a precise quote you can bank on, call us now or get a quick quote on the site. The team can compare open and enclosed options, check Hot Shot availability, and match your budget to the right trailer.
Enclosed carriers are better for luxury, classic, or weather-sensitive vehicles, and specialized trailers might be the best choice if you have a unique vehicle. For most people and vehicles, open carriers are the best compromise of cost, protection, and convenience.
It all depends on your priorities. If you value maximum protection or have a high-value unit, an enclosed trailer is the safe option. If price and convenience are more important to you, open carriers keep the automotive industry moving, and they’re the right choice most of the time.
Yes. Specialized trailers and liftgate systems, together with an experienced operator, can handle non-running units. The dispatcher will match the trailer and driver to the mechanical condition.
Rates depend on distance, trailer type, vehicle size, and market demand. Open transport offers the lowest cost. Enclosed and Hot Shot services sit in premium tiers.
We need the pickup and delivery addresses, the vehicle year and model, operational condition, and your preferred timeline. The team will guide you through the rest and do the heavy lifting for you.
I am grateful to be able to work with such a large and hardworking team, with over ten years of experience in the car transport industry. I know for a fact that we will be able to take care of you, and together we will go further.
