Customer Reviews

Does RoadRunner Auto Transport Ship Anything Other Than Cars?

Posted on 03/13/2023


what-other-vehicles-can-roadrunner-ship

Specialized vehicle shipping

Car shipping companies can ship much more than just regular passenger cars. Several vehicle transport companies can ship almost anything from a moped to a massive crane. A car shipper’s ability to ship other types of vehicles is known as “specialized vehicle shipping.” Specialized vehicle shipping has several similarities with regular auto transport, but depending on the exact type of vehicle you are shipping, there can also be several differences.

One of the primary differences between shipping a regular passenger car and specialized vehicle shipping will be the ability to get an instant quote. For the most part, you will need to call a particular transport company on the phone to get specific vehicle shipping quotes. Unfortunately, there tend to be too many permutations with specialized vehicle shipping; thus, generating a quote using an online shipping calculator is impossible. So, transport companies take every specialized vehicle shipping quote request on a case-by-case basis. The bright side is that the car shipping expert you will talk to will be able to generate a quote over the phone for you in just a few moments.

There are very few vehicles that are unable to be shipped by a vehicle transporter. Even boats and construction equipment can easily be shipped. Unfortunately, vehicles used for air travel cannot typically be shipped by a car shipping company, including planes and helicopters. The unique dimensions and extreme aircraft value precludes most car shipping companies from shipping these vehicles.

specialized-vehicle-shipping

Motorcycles

Motorcycles are the most commonly shipped type of specialized vehicle. Motorcycle shipping works precisely the same as regular car shipping in terms of price generation and required preparation, and, in most cases, you can get a free instant quote online. The main difference is that motorcycle transport will almost always occur in an enclosed trailer on a pallet. On rare occasions, motorcycles will be shipped on an open-air flatbed trailer. There is no way to correctly secure a motorcycle to a regular car carrier; thus, motorcycle hauling is done in this fashion.

Motorcycle shipping cost is determined much like car shipping cost by a set of frequently or constantly changing variables.

Scooters and mopeds

Scooters and mopeds such as Vespas are transported the same way motorcycles are shipped due to their similar dimensions and weight. Any reputable motorcycle shipping company can ship a scooter or moped without issue. The cost will be very similar to that of shipping a motorcycle.

Oversized vehicles

“Oversized vehicles” is a broad definition that includes any vehicle that is too large and or heavy to ship on a typical car carrier. An oversized vehicle can be an Escalade, a tractor, a bus, an RV, a boat , and more. Oversized vehicle transport will almost always occur on a flatbed trailer due to its ability to support tens of thousands of pounds.

Heavy equipment

Heavy equipment hauling rates tend to be more costly per mile because of the extra effort, time, and gas required to ship a huge vehicle like an RV. Heavy equipment hauling companies also must charge more for these shipments to make them financially viable because they can usually only transport one piece of heavy equipment at a time. Unfortunately, heavy equipment shipping calculators are incredibly scarce because of the much lower volume with which they are used. So, if you need a quote for shipping heavy equipment, your best bet is to call each shipping company.

Types of heavy equipment that a car shipping company such as RoadRunner Auto Transport can ship include:

  • Bulldozers

  • Excavators

  • Cranes

  • Compactor

  • Loader

  • Graders

  • Harvesters

  • Tractors

  • Plows

  • And more!

RVs

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, can be driven legally on streets and highways. Thus, you might wonder why someone would even need RV shipping. Well, RV transport is an excellent option if someone has purchased an RV online and they do not want to spend the time or the effort going to get it themselves. RV shipping companies also ship RVs for people who don’t want to drive their RV to a destination; maybe they only want to use their RV to camp out at the destination and drive around locally.

Much like heavy equipment, there are no specific RV shipping calculators online. So, you should call a transport company for an RV shipping quote. Generally, RV shipping costs per mile are typically around $4 for the first 100 miles. After that, it gets a bit cheaper as it usually falls between $1 and $2.50 per mile to ship an RV.

Boat shipping is a specialty vehicle transport service more frequently requested than other special shipping services. Boat transport will require that your boat get placed onto a flatbed carrier using a crane or forklift as it will not be able to be driven onto the trailer like a car. The cost to ship a boat is usually between $1.50 and $4.00 per mile. It is a wide range because the size and weight of the boat will play a significant role in the overall boat shipping cost. Certain boats have stark differences in size/weight.

Buses

Shipping a bus is no issue for a vehicle transportation company like RoadRunner, even though it is one of the least requested shipments we deal with. If you ship a bus, it will be placed on a flatbed trailer because of its dimensions and immense weight. The cost to ship a bus will typically fall between $2.50 and $4.00 per mile.

Feel free to call and ask if we can have something else shipped, such as a limousine or trailer. RoadRunner has had various vehicles shipped and would happily work with you for all your shipping needs!

Military vehicles

Shipping a regular car as a military member

Vehicle shipping for military members is one of the more popular specialty vehicle shipping services out there. This is because military members are frequently involved in PCS moves to new bases based on their new or updated assignments. These shipments are almost always typical passenger cars. But we include military car shipping in the “specialty vehicle shipping” services list because the pickup or drop-off locations are often military bases, which is not typical for car shipping.

The cost for military car shipping will be the same as the cost for shipping a car normally. The main difference is whether the military covers any of the costs. We have seen every possibility occur; sometimes, the military covers the entire cost of shipping a car; other times, they will partially cover the cost of auto transport, and sometimes they will not cover any of it. It is all entirely dependent on your particular assignment and rank.

Shipping actual military grade vehicles

Auto shipping companies like RoadRunner can also ship actual military vehicles when needed. This can come in handy for the actual military. However, individuals who collect military vehicles can use a car shipping service to get their military vehicle home from an auction or a private seller. For many military vehicles, driving them on the street is not legal, so you will have to have them shipped somehow.

Types of military vehicles that can be shipped with a car shipping company include:

  • Humvees

  • Utility vehicles

  • Tactical trucks

  • Reconnaissance vehicles
  • And more!

 

military-vehicle-shipping

Inoperable vehicles

Inoperable vehicles are cars that are not running correctly or at all. Because they cannot be driven onto and off the car carrier like normal vehicles, they can only be transported using a special type of car carrier with a tool connected that can attach to a car and pull it onto the carrier called a winch. Since these types of carriers are in much shorter supply than typical car carriers, it will be more expensive to ship an inoperable vehicle than it is to ship a car that is running. When you ship a non-running car, the cost per mile will be the same as shipping a running car. The difference is that a $50 to $100 fee will be added to your final price to cover the additional cost of the special car carrier.

what-other-vehicles-can-be-shipped

Conclusion

Car shipping companies like RoadRunner Auto Transport ship all types of specialty vehicles, including motorcycles, buses, RVs, military vehicles, and much more! Fortunately, shipping a specialty vehicle is just about as simple as shipping a regular-sized passenger car. There often are no instant online quotes available for several types of specialty vehicle shipping. However, you can always call a vehicle transportation company such as RoadRunner Auto Transport for a free instant quote regarding any vehicle.

FAQs

Will it take longer to ship a specialty vehicle?

You can expect shipping a specialty vehicle to take a bit longer than shipping a typical passenger car. However, this depends on the specific vehicle type being shipped. For example, motorcycles do not typically take any longer to ship than ordinary cars. On the other hand, shipping an RV from point A to B will likely take a couple of days more than shipping a regular-sized car from point A to B.

Is door-to-door transport available for specialty vehicle shipping?

Door-to-door car shipping could be available for a specialty vehicle shipment. However, it will depend on the type of carrier needed for your shipment and the amount of room on the streets at both your pickup and delivery addresses. If you are shipping a motorcycle which occurs in a more-traditional enclosed carrier, the odds are door-to-door transport is available. If you are shipping an RV which occurs on a flatbed trailer, door-to-door transport might not be an option for you. Due to local ordinances, even regular car carriers are forbidden to enter some streets throughout the country. So, it all depends. Regardless of whether door-to-door transport is available for your shipment, your set pickup and delivery addresses will always be discussed with and determined by a car shipping representative before booking your shipment.

Is any additional preparation involved when shipping heavy equipment?

Whether or not there is additional preparation for a specialty vehicle shipment will depend entirely on what you are shipping. If you are shipping a large piece of heavy equipment like a crane, it might need to be partially disassembled. For the most part, shipping a specialty vehicle will require the same preparation as shipping a car. You will need to ensure that there are no issues with the vehicle, clean the exterior and remove all personal belongings. Although, cleaning the entire body of an RV or bus will undoubtedly require a bit more effort.

Does the military ship my car for free?

The military could cover all or part of your cost to ship one or more cars to your new assignment location/base. However, this is not guaranteed. It will depend on several things, including the nature of your assignment, your rank, and more. You should contact your commanding officer before scheduling your shipment and ask them if the military can cover any of your car shipping costs.

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1Shipment Details

Does RoadRunner Auto Transport Ship Anything Other Than Cars?

Posted on 03/13/2023


what-other-vehicles-can-roadrunner-ship

Specialized vehicle shipping

Car shipping companies can ship much more than just regular passenger cars. Several vehicle transport companies can ship almost anything from a moped to a massive crane. A car shipper’s ability to ship other types of vehicles is known as “specialized vehicle shipping.” Specialized vehicle shipping has several similarities with regular auto transport, but depending on the exact type of vehicle you are shipping, there can also be several differences.

One of the primary differences between shipping a regular passenger car and specialized vehicle shipping will be the ability to get an instant quote. For the most part, you will need to call a particular transport company on the phone to get specific vehicle shipping quotes. Unfortunately, there tend to be too many permutations with specialized vehicle shipping; thus, generating a quote using an online shipping calculator is impossible. So, transport companies take every specialized vehicle shipping quote request on a case-by-case basis. The bright side is that the car shipping expert you will talk to will be able to generate a quote over the phone for you in just a few moments.

There are very few vehicles that are unable to be shipped by a vehicle transporter. Even boats and construction equipment can easily be shipped. Unfortunately, vehicles used for air travel cannot typically be shipped by a car shipping company, including planes and helicopters. The unique dimensions and extreme aircraft value precludes most car shipping companies from shipping these vehicles.

specialized-vehicle-shipping

Motorcycles

Motorcycles are the most commonly shipped type of specialized vehicle. Motorcycle shipping works precisely the same as regular car shipping in terms of price generation and required preparation, and, in most cases, you can get a free instant quote online. The main difference is that motorcycle transport will almost always occur in an enclosed trailer on a pallet. On rare occasions, motorcycles will be shipped on an open-air flatbed trailer. There is no way to correctly secure a motorcycle to a regular car carrier; thus, motorcycle hauling is done in this fashion.

Motorcycle shipping cost is determined much like car shipping cost by a set of frequently or constantly changing variables.

Scooters and mopeds

Scooters and mopeds such as Vespas are transported the same way motorcycles are shipped due to their similar dimensions and weight. Any reputable motorcycle shipping company can ship a scooter or moped without issue. The cost will be very similar to that of shipping a motorcycle.

Oversized vehicles

“Oversized vehicles” is a broad definition that includes any vehicle that is too large and or heavy to ship on a typical car carrier. An oversized vehicle can be an Escalade, a tractor, a bus, an RV, a boat , and more. Oversized vehicle transport will almost always occur on a flatbed trailer due to its ability to support tens of thousands of pounds.

Heavy equipment

Heavy equipment hauling rates tend to be more costly per mile because of the extra effort, time, and gas required to ship a huge vehicle like an RV. Heavy equipment hauling companies also must charge more for these shipments to make them financially viable because they can usually only transport one piece of heavy equipment at a time. Unfortunately, heavy equipment shipping calculators are incredibly scarce because of the much lower volume with which they are used. So, if you need a quote for shipping heavy equipment, your best bet is to call each shipping company.

Types of heavy equipment that a car shipping company such as RoadRunner Auto Transport can ship include:

  • Bulldozers

  • Excavators

  • Cranes

  • Compactor

  • Loader

  • Graders

  • Harvesters

  • Tractors

  • Plows

  • And more!

RVs

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, can be driven legally on streets and highways. Thus, you might wonder why someone would even need RV shipping. Well, RV transport is an excellent option if someone has purchased an RV online and they do not want to spend the time or the effort going to get it themselves. RV shipping companies also ship RVs for people who don’t want to drive their RV to a destination; maybe they only want to use their RV to camp out at the destination and drive around locally.

Much like heavy equipment, there are no specific RV shipping calculators online. So, you should call a transport company for an RV shipping quote. Generally, RV shipping costs per mile are typically around $4 for the first 100 miles. After that, it gets a bit cheaper as it usually falls between $1 and $2.50 per mile to ship an RV.

Boat shipping is a specialty vehicle transport service more frequently requested than other special shipping services. Boat transport will require that your boat get placed onto a flatbed carrier using a crane or forklift as it will not be able to be driven onto the trailer like a car. The cost to ship a boat is usually between $1.50 and $4.00 per mile. It is a wide range because the size and weight of the boat will play a significant role in the overall boat shipping cost. Certain boats have stark differences in size/weight.

Buses

Shipping a bus is no issue for a vehicle transportation company like RoadRunner, even though it is one of the least requested shipments we deal with. If you ship a bus, it will be placed on a flatbed trailer because of its dimensions and immense weight. The cost to ship a bus will typically fall between $2.50 and $4.00 per mile.

Feel free to call and ask if we can have something else shipped, such as a limousine or trailer. RoadRunner has had various vehicles shipped and would happily work with you for all your shipping needs!

Military vehicles

Shipping a regular car as a military member

Vehicle shipping for military members is one of the more popular specialty vehicle shipping services out there. This is because military members are frequently involved in PCS moves to new bases based on their new or updated assignments. These shipments are almost always typical passenger cars. But we include military car shipping in the “specialty vehicle shipping” services list because the pickup or drop-off locations are often military bases, which is not typical for car shipping.

The cost for military car shipping will be the same as the cost for shipping a car normally. The main difference is whether the military covers any of the costs. We have seen every possibility occur; sometimes, the military covers the entire cost of shipping a car; other times, they will partially cover the cost of auto transport, and sometimes they will not cover any of it. It is all entirely dependent on your particular assignment and rank.

Shipping actual military grade vehicles

Auto shipping companies like RoadRunner can also ship actual military vehicles when needed. This can come in handy for the actual military. However, individuals who collect military vehicles can use a car shipping service to get their military vehicle home from an auction or a private seller. For many military vehicles, driving them on the street is not legal, so you will have to have them shipped somehow.

Types of military vehicles that can be shipped with a car shipping company include:

  • Humvees

  • Utility vehicles

  • Tactical trucks

  • Reconnaissance vehicles
  • And more!

 

military-vehicle-shipping

Inoperable vehicles

Inoperable vehicles are cars that are not running correctly or at all. Because they cannot be driven onto and off the car carrier like normal vehicles, they can only be transported using a special type of car carrier with a tool connected that can attach to a car and pull it onto the carrier called a winch. Since these types of carriers are in much shorter supply than typical car carriers, it will be more expensive to ship an inoperable vehicle than it is to ship a car that is running. When you ship a non-running car, the cost per mile will be the same as shipping a running car. The difference is that a $50 to $100 fee will be added to your final price to cover the additional cost of the special car carrier.

what-other-vehicles-can-be-shipped

Conclusion

Car shipping companies like RoadRunner Auto Transport ship all types of specialty vehicles, including motorcycles, buses, RVs, military vehicles, and much more! Fortunately, shipping a specialty vehicle is just about as simple as shipping a regular-sized passenger car. There often are no instant online quotes available for several types of specialty vehicle shipping. However, you can always call a vehicle transportation company such as RoadRunner Auto Transport for a free instant quote regarding any vehicle.

FAQs

Will it take longer to ship a specialty vehicle?

You can expect shipping a specialty vehicle to take a bit longer than shipping a typical passenger car. However, this depends on the specific vehicle type being shipped. For example, motorcycles do not typically take any longer to ship than ordinary cars. On the other hand, shipping an RV from point A to B will likely take a couple of days more than shipping a regular-sized car from point A to B.

Is door-to-door transport available for specialty vehicle shipping?

Door-to-door car shipping could be available for a specialty vehicle shipment. However, it will depend on the type of carrier needed for your shipment and the amount of room on the streets at both your pickup and delivery addresses. If you are shipping a motorcycle which occurs in a more-traditional enclosed carrier, the odds are door-to-door transport is available. If you are shipping an RV which occurs on a flatbed trailer, door-to-door transport might not be an option for you. Due to local ordinances, even regular car carriers are forbidden to enter some streets throughout the country. So, it all depends. Regardless of whether door-to-door transport is available for your shipment, your set pickup and delivery addresses will always be discussed with and determined by a car shipping representative before booking your shipment.

Is any additional preparation involved when shipping heavy equipment?

Whether or not there is additional preparation for a specialty vehicle shipment will depend entirely on what you are shipping. If you are shipping a large piece of heavy equipment like a crane, it might need to be partially disassembled. For the most part, shipping a specialty vehicle will require the same preparation as shipping a car. You will need to ensure that there are no issues with the vehicle, clean the exterior and remove all personal belongings. Although, cleaning the entire body of an RV or bus will undoubtedly require a bit more effort.

Does the military ship my car for free?

The military could cover all or part of your cost to ship one or more cars to your new assignment location/base. However, this is not guaranteed. It will depend on several things, including the nature of your assignment, your rank, and more. You should contact your commanding officer before scheduling your shipment and ask them if the military can cover any of your car shipping costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.


When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time - so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available in order to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn't add much additional weight.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inpoerable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accomodate a non-running vehicle.

We offer open car shipping and enclosed car shipping services. Open car shipping is used much more frequently and is the type of auto transport that you see on the highway where carriers are hauling vehicles on two decks that are exposed. Enclosed car shipping is when your vehicle is shipped in a trailer which has walls and a roof, they look like a larger version of a regular eighteen-wheeler. This method is recommended for luxury, exotic or classic cars.

Door-to-door car transport is the full service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to safely reach your door. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.