Are you planning for car shipping to Hawaii? Transporting a car from one place to another is not so easy, but it is not impossible as well. The car is an asset and everyone needs it to get a lot of work done. Imagine taking a bus everywhere? It can consume a lot of time.
No matter if you’re moving to Hawaii permanently or temporarily, you need a car to work in the place. All you have to do is choose a good auto hauler to get your car transported to Hawaii without damaging it.
If you’ve already selected an auto hauler for your car, it’s time to prepare your car for transportation. Since your car will either be shipped or will be taken in a container, it’s necessary to prep it for the journey.
Let’s get started!
Car Shipping to Hawaii: Tips to Transport Your Car Safely
Nobody likes to see their car or any other vehicle damaged due to transportation. Hence, you have to prepare your car for transportation. The journey can be long, so make sure you follow all the steps to save yourself from the damage.
Vehicle Wash
If your vehicle is not clean, then you must wash it before transporting your car. A driver will be sent by the company to pick up your car, but he will also do a vehicle condition report.
Cleaning the car will allow the driver to clearly see the scratches, dents, etc. so he can prepare a fair report. The report includes the current condition of the car, so it’s best to make sure that all the damage on your car is clear to you and the driver as well.
Capture Vehicle Pictures
Take a lot of pictures of your vehicle and not only of the damaged areas. Once you have washed your car, it’s best to take a lot of pictures of it. Make sure that the pictures are dated to avoid any problem in the future.
You can never know if your car will get damaged during the transportation process, so take photos to have a record of your car’s current condition.
Take Picture of Odometer
If you’re afraid that the auto hauler may take your car for a joy ride, then it’s best to take pictures of the odometer as well. Cars are extremely valuable, so they should be treated like one.
Although such cases are rare, it can happen to anyone. If you want to avoid any such situations, then take a photo for your mental peace. It will save you from unnecessary worry.
Remove Accessories from Car
Transporting your car in a trailer can be a bumpy ride since the trailers are quite big. Make sure that there are no loose items in the car that can move around and do damage.
Try to remove air fresheners, spare change, GPS devices, car chargers, pens, DVD players, etc. from the car. If there’s something important in the car, then make sure to remove it as well out of the fear of theft or losing it.
Apart from it, remove custom spoilers, antenna, bike racks, or any other similar thing from the car that can cause damage. Clean the trunk of the vehicle as well and fold in the side mirrors to save them from any damage.
Run a Thorough Check
There might be a few problems in your car that you might want to address before transporting your car. Check the tires, battery, and radiator of the vehicle to avoid any damage. Make sure the radiator has anti-freeze in it, the battery is charged fully, and the tires are not inflated.
Also, run a fluid check to see if there is any leakage or not. The driver that will come to take your car may not take it if there is a severe fluid leak. You can get it repaired before transporting the car.
Cater to Any Problems
Mechanical and engine problems should be in working condition if you want your car to be safely picked up by the transporter. An inoperable car can also be transported, but you should let the driver know about it beforehand. You can get your car repaired or address any issues if they are small before the transporting date.
Fill ¼ or 1/8 Gas
It’s ideal to fill ¼ or 1/8 of the gas tank to ensure that the driver can get your car on and off the trailer. The less gas is in the tank, the less is the weight of the car. Although it’s ideal to fill your car tank to this point, having more gas than this is not a problem too.
Turn Off Alarms
Make sure that the alarm of your car is disabled, so the driver does not have to go through any trouble. If you’re unable to do it, then simply disconnect the battery to save the driver from unnecessary hassle.
Get a Duplicate Key
It’s best to have a set of duplicate keys, so you can easily hand over a bunch of them to the driver. The driver will need an ignition key, door lock key, and others, so make a set of it and hand it over to them when they arrive. This step can save you and the driver a lot of time.
Insure Your Car
Having car insurance can save you from a lot of trouble, especially when you’re shipping your car. If the car is harmed or damaged by the transporter, then they will be paying for it.
But, if the damage is due to any natural disaster, then the insurance company will cover it. Just make sure to ask if the insurance will cover the insurance if the damage is done during car transport.
Conclusion
Hawaii car transport is simple, but you must prep your car to stay safe during the journey. All the tips above can help you prep your car without any hassle. Make sure that you have followed all of them to avoid any unwanted situation during the car transportation.
If now you’re wondering – How much to ship a car to Hawaii?
Well, it depends on various factors, so it’s best to ask the auto hauler to sum it up for you. Get your car transported by the best of service providers.