The first time you watch your car being strapped onto the upper deck of a big open trailer, it’s hard not to feel a little nervous. Your car is going to spend the next week out in the open, exposed to the weather, driving along highways and sharing the trailer with seven or eight other vehicles.
It doesn’t exactly look reassuring.
But here’s the thing: open car transport is how most everyday vehicles are shipped, including brand-new cars heading to dealerships. While your car will be exposed to the elements, that doesn’t automatically mean it’ll arrive damaged.
So what actually happens to a car during a week on an open trailer? And is there anything you should do before handing over the keys? Let’s take a look.
Almost Every New Car Reaches Its Dealer This Way
If you’ve ever bought a new car, there’s a good chance it arrived at the dealership on an open car transporter. These trailers carry several vehicles at once, travelling from factories, ports and distribution centres to dealerships across the country.
The cars aren’t usually covered in individual protective wraps for the journey. They’re secured to the trailer and transported in the open, just like the vehicles you see on highways every day.
That’s why open auto transport is the standard choice for shipping ordinary cars. It’s widely available, can carry several vehicles at once and is generally much more affordable than enclosed transport.
Of course, there’s a trade-off. Your car is exposed to weather, road grime and whatever else the journey throws at it. An enclosed trailer offers more protection, but that extra protection comes at a higher price.
For most everyday vehicles, open transport is a perfectly practical option. The important thing is knowing what to expect.
What Does Your Car Actually Encounter on the Road?
A classic black muscle car – Open car transportation guide Via Pexels
There are four main things to consider when shipping a car on an open trailer: road grime, weather, insects and road salt.
1. Road Grime
After a long journey, your car will probably arrive looking a little worse for wear.
Dust, brake dust, exhaust residue and moisture can leave a film on the paintwork. It might look like your car has been through quite an adventure, but much of this is ordinary road grime that can be removed with a proper wash.
Think about what happens when you drive your car for several hours on a highway. The same general conditions apply during transport, although the exact exposure depends on the route, weather and road conditions.
The good news? A dirty car doesn’t necessarily mean a damaged car.
2. Rain, Sun and Wind
Your car will be exposed to the weather throughout the journey.
Rain isn’t usually a problem for a roadworthy car that’s properly maintained. Vehicles are designed to withstand ordinary rain and outdoor conditions, after all.
Sun exposure is worth considering if you’re shipping a car with a particularly delicate finish, a recently restored exterior or an interior that’s already showing signs of deterioration. A few days in the sun won’t ordinarily damage a well-maintained vehicle, but extreme weather is another matter.
Hail, severe storms and other unusual conditions can pose a genuine risk. If you’re shipping a particularly valuable car, it’s worth discussing these risks and the available protection with your transport provider before booking.
3. Insects
Depending on the season and route, your car might collect quite a few insects along the way.
They tend to accumulate around the front bumper, grille, bonnet and mirrors. Once they’ve dried onto the surface, they can take a little more effort to remove.
Usually, a proper wash will do the trick. Just don’t leave stubborn insect residue sitting on the paintwork indefinitely, as it can become harder to remove and may affect the finish.
4. Winter Road Salt
This is the one I’d pay particular attention to if you’re shipping a car during winter.
In parts of the US, road salt and brine are used to help manage icy roads. When your car travels through these conditions, residue can collect on the bodywork and underneath the vehicle.
Salt can contribute to corrosion, particularly where protective coatings are damaged or metal is already exposed.
If your route crosses areas where roads are treated with salt during winter, ask your transport provider what conditions to expect. Once your car arrives, arrange a wash that includes the underbody when practical, especially after exposure to heavy salt or brine.
This is particularly important if you’re shipping an older vehicle or one you want to keep in excellent condition.
What About Stone Chips?
Stone chips are often one of the first things people worry about when considering open transport.
They can happen, but the risk depends on several factors, including road conditions, the route and the vehicle’s position on the trailer.
Your car isn’t being driven directly behind another vehicle in the usual way, but it isn’t completely protected from road debris either.
If you’re shipping a brand-new car, a classic vehicle or one with a freshly painted finish, ask the transport company about the risks and whether enclosed transport would make more sense for your situation.
Does Your Car’s Position on the Trailer Matter?
Open car transportation tips
Yes, it can.
Open car transporters have upper and lower decks, and the position your car occupies can affect its exposure during the journey.
A car on the upper deck has no vehicle directly above it, while a car on the lower deck may be exposed to drips from vehicles loaded above it. Depending on the trailer’s design and condition, this can mean a little extra grime or, occasionally, fluid marks.
Lower-deck vehicles may also be more exposed to road spray, depending on their position and the trailer’s design.
If your car is particularly valuable or you’re concerned about its condition, ask the transport company whether an upper-deck position is available.
It isn’t always possible to choose your position. The carrier has to consider vehicle sizes, weight distribution, loading requirements and the overall arrangement of the trailer. There may also be an additional charge for a preferred position.
My advice? Ask when booking rather than waiting until the driver arrives. By then, the load may already be planned.
How to Prepare Your Car Before Shipping
A little preparation before pickup can save you a lot of hassle later.
It also makes it easier to establish whether any damage occurred during transport.
Here’s what I’d do before handing over the keys.
Wash the Car
Give your car a thorough wash before collection.
A dirty exterior can hide scratches, paint chips and other existing marks. If you only discover them after delivery, it becomes harder to establish whether they were already there.
A clean car gives you a much better starting point for the inspection.
Take Photos
Photograph the entire car in good daylight before it leaves.
Take pictures of every panel, the roof, wheels, bumpers, windows and lower bodywork. Get close-ups of any existing scratches or chips, too.
It’s also worth taking a photo of the odometer so you have a record of the mileage at pickup.
Do this on the day of collection if possible, and keep the photos somewhere you can easily access them when the car arrives.
Fold the Mirrors and Remove Loose Accessories
Fold in the side mirrors if appropriate for your vehicle, and remove any detachable exterior accessories that could come loose during transport.
This might include a removable antenna, bike rack or other external equipment.
Check with your carrier about anything that needs to be removed before pickup, particularly if your vehicle has aftermarket modifications.
Remove Your Toll Transponder
If you’re shipping your car within the US, don’t forget the toll transponder.
Depending on the toll system and how the vehicle is transported, leaving it active could result in unintended toll charges. Follow the instructions for your particular device, and remove or deactivate it if necessary.
It’s a small detail, but it’s easy to overlook when you’re busy preparing the car.
Check the Fuel Level
Many transport companies ask you to leave around a quarter tank of fuel.
This gives the driver enough fuel to load and unload the vehicle when necessary without adding unnecessary weight to the transporter.
However, requirements can vary, so check your carrier’s instructions before pickup.
Remove Personal Belongings
Before the car leaves, remove valuables and personal belongings from the interior.
Many carriers restrict the amount of personal luggage you can leave in a vehicle, and personal items may not be covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance.
Even if you’re allowed to leave a small amount of luggage in the trunk, don’t assume it’s automatically insured.
Check the rules beforehand and keep important documents, electronics and anything irreplaceable with you.
Tell the Transport Company About Anything Unusual
Does your car have a very low front bumper? Oversized tyres? A fluid leak? Does it struggle to start?
Mention these things when booking.
The carrier needs to know about unusual vehicle dimensions, mechanical problems and modifications because they can affect loading, unloading and the equipment required.
It’s much better to discuss these details in advance than discover a problem when the driver arrives.
What Is Normal When Your Car Arrives?
After a week on an open trailer, your car probably won’t look freshly detailed.
It might be dusty, have road grime on the bodywork or have insects stuck to the front. Depending on the route and weather, it might also have some road salt or residue on it.
These things alone don’t mean anything has gone wrong.
However, you shouldn’t automatically dismiss every mark as normal transport grime, either.
Inspect your car before signing the delivery paperwork.
Walk around the vehicle with the driver and compare its condition with the report completed at pickup.
If you notice a scratch, dent, cracked glass or anything else that looks like damage, photograph it and make sure it’s recorded on the delivery paperwork before signing. Contact the transport company promptly and follow its claims procedure.
Don’t wait until the next afternoon to report something you noticed at delivery. Documentation made at the time can be important when establishing what happened.
Once you’ve completed the inspection, give the car a proper wash and examine the paintwork again. Some marks that initially look alarming turn out to be residue sitting on the surface.
If anything remains questionable, document it and contact the carrier rather than assuming it’s harmless.
When Would I Choose an Enclosed Trailer Instead?
For most everyday cars, open transport is a sensible choice. It’s widely available and usually costs less than enclosed shipping.
But there are situations where I’d seriously consider paying extra for an enclosed trailer.
A classic or restored car: If you’ve spent years restoring a vehicle or preserving its original paintwork, additional protection from weather and road debris may be worth the cost.
A freshly painted car: A recent respray or particularly delicate finish might make enclosed transport a more attractive option.
A very low car: Sports cars with low ground clearance or modified bodywork can be difficult to load safely onto certain trailers. Discuss the loading angle and available equipment with your transport provider before booking.
A valuable or exotic vehicle: If the cost of repairing even minor damage would be substantial, the additional expense of enclosed transport may be easier to justify.
A winter journey through areas with heavy road salt: If you’re transporting a vehicle you particularly care about, limiting its exposure to salt, brine and road spray may be worth considering.
Enclosed transport isn’t a guarantee against damage, and open transport isn’t inherently unsafe. The right choice depends on the vehicle, the route, your budget and how much protection you want.
Your car will be exposed to the elements, and it will probably need a wash when it arrives. There’s also a possibility of road-debris damage or other problems, just as there is when a vehicle is exposed to ordinary road conditions.
But open transport is the standard way to move cars over long distances for a reason. It’s practical, widely available and generally more affordable than enclosed shipping.
The key is to prepare your car properly, document its condition before pickup, understand the carrier’s requirements and inspect it carefully when it arrives.
If you’re shipping a classic, freshly restored, particularly valuable or very low vehicle, take the time to compare open and enclosed options before making your decision.
Otherwise, there’s no need to panic when you see your car being strapped onto an open trailer.
Just make sure you’ve taken your photos before it leaves. You’ll be glad you did.
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Namaste, Guten Tag!
I'm Sonal from India. I've been writing about my travels since 2015.
I love European city breaks, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, music festivals, and road trips. I have a knack for creating the most amazing travel itineraries and in-depth destination guides which will help you make the most of your trip.
