When shipping or transporting a car, many auto transport companies will offer the option of open auto transport or enclosed auto transport. The most important thing that people decide which mode of auto transport to go with is the cost involved. A driver of an open auto transport company determines his price per vehicle based on the route he is driving. Enclosed drivers price per vehicle is based on miles driven; the more miles traveled the cheaper per mile. The rates for both types of car carriers are typically driven by fuel prices.

Open auto transport services can be afforded by many people because it is economically priced. If you have spent time on US highways, you would have seen such open trailers at work. These trailers have one or two open air levels on which cars are loaded and secured. Open carriers can carry nearly 8 to 10 cars at a time. These trucks are nearly 75 to 80 feet long and about 14 feet high. Because of its massive size, these trucks are allowed only on limited roads and they ply only on roads which do not have low trees or low clearance bridges. Open auto transport carriers are the most common method of auto transport to transport new cars from the factory to the showroom or various places.

Open trailer is the least expensive form of auto shipping and by far the most common method. Enclosed auto transport is typically 25% to 50% more expensive than open auto transport. This method is also of industry standard and will provide more options and is likely a faster pick-up delivery window. Some of the drawbacks of open auto shipping are exposure and security. Exposure means the vehicle is exposed to sun, heat, snow etc. If your vehicle is not protected by sunlight or rain, chances are that your paint may be removed. Security is another major concern. If you have expensive products like high-end stereos or other expensive electronics item then chances of getting them stolen are higher in open auto transport. In open shipping you can request the shipping company to ship your vehicle on the top rack and/or immediately behind the truck.