Who This Service Is For

Enclosed luxury car shipping is the right choice for owners of exotic and high-performance vehicles including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, and Aston Martin. It is ideal for classic and muscle car collectors shipping vintage vehicles to shows, storage facilities, or new owners. Luxury sedan and SUV owners driving brands like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and BMW 7 Series frequently choose enclosed transport for the additional protection it provides. Custom-built vehicles, award-show cars, and any vehicle with a replacement value above $80,000 to $100,000 are prime candidates for enclosed shipping.

What Is Enclosed Transport?

Enclosed transport carriers are fully covered trailers, either hard-sided or soft-sided, that completely protect the vehicles inside from the external environment. Unlike open carriers that carry seven to ten vehicles on exposed multi-level decks, enclosed carriers typically carry two to six vehicles with significantly more space and attention to each unit.

Hard-sided enclosed carriers provide the highest level of protection, with solid walls and roof construction that blocks all weather, dust, and road debris. Soft-sided enclosed trailers provide similar protection from weather but use heavy canvas covers. Both types are dramatically superior to open transport for high-value vehicles.

Enclosed carriers use soft tie-down straps rather than chains to secure vehicles, minimizing the risk of paint or undercarriage damage from conventional metal binders. Hydraulic lift gates are standard on most enclosed carriers, allowing loading and unloading of vehicles with very low ground clearance including supercars and widebody builds.

Enclosed vs. Open Transport: Cost Difference

Enclosed transport typically costs 40 to 60 percent more than open transport for the same route. This premium reflects the smaller carrier capacity, the specialized equipment, the higher cargo insurance limits, and the more careful handling protocols that enclosed transport entails. For a cross-country open transport that costs $1,200 to $1,500, the enclosed equivalent typically runs $1,700 to $2,300 depending on vehicle size and route.

For vehicles worth $80,000 or more, the cost difference between open and enclosed transport is minimal relative to the value of the vehicle and the peace of mind enclosed transport provides. Most exotic and luxury car owners, dealerships, and collectors consider enclosed transport a non-negotiable standard rather than a premium option.

Preparing Your Luxury Vehicle for Transport

• Photograph all four sides, the interior, and the undercarriage before pickup
• Document any existing scratches, paint chips, or imperfections in writing
• Remove custom accessories, spoilers, or exterior parts that may be damaged in transit
• Fold in side mirrors and retract antennas
• Disable aftermarket alarm systems or provide the disarm code to the driver
• Keep fuel at or below a quarter tank
• Provide the carrier with any vehicle-specific loading instructions for low-clearance or specialty models