The short answer
Choose open transport for daily drivers and most standard vehicles — it's cheaper and the majority of the industry runs on it safely. Choose enclosed for vehicles worth protecting from weather and road debris: classics, exotics, low-clearance cars, and anything with custom paint. Enclosed adds roughly 35% to the price, which is easy to justify once you weigh it against the car's actual replacement or repair cost.
- Enclosed transport carries a 35% surcharge over standard open-carrier pricing.
- Low-clearance and lowered vehicles risk ramp-scrape damage on standard trailers regardless of open or enclosed choice, and may need liftgate loading.
- Standard pickup is 1-7 business days; expedited is 1-5 business days for an additional 35%.
- Large vehicles (oversized trucks, vans, SUVs with lift kits) carry a separate +15% surcharge on either trailer type.
- Optional cargo insurance of $200,000 per vehicle costs $99 regardless of trailer type chosen.
- Roughly 9 out of 10 vehicles shipped nationally move on open carriers because most cars don't need extra protection.
Start with the vehicle's true market value
The decision usually comes down to a simple math check: what would it cost to repaint a panel or replace a windshield versus the enclosed premium? For a car worth under $20,000 in good working order, open transport is almost always the right call — the odds of meaningful damage are low, and the savings matter more. For anything approaching collector value, a recent high-end purchase, or a car you plan to restore, the enclosed premium is cheap insurance against a repair bill that could dwarf it.
Ground clearance and ramp risk
- Measure clearance under the front air dam or splitter — under 4 inches is a red flag for standard ramps.
- Ask whether the carrier offers liftgate loading for lowered vehicles; this matters more than open vs. enclosed for scrape risk.
- Aftermarket lowering kits or track-focused suspensions should always be flagged at booking.
- Steep driveway angles at pickup or delivery compound ramp risk regardless of trailer type.
Paint, wraps, and soft-top fragility
Custom paint jobs, vinyl wraps, and convertible soft tops are the categories where enclosed transport earns its premium fastest. Open trailers expose vehicles to highway debris, salt spray in winter, and UV exposure over multi-day transits — all things that can dull or damage a wrap faster than normal driving would. A soft top is also more vulnerable to wind pressure and debris at highway speeds when riding exposed on an open deck. If any of these apply, enclosed is worth building into your budget from the start.
Calculating the real enclosed premium
- Get your open-carrier quote first as the baseline.
- Apply the 35% enclosed surcharge to see the dollar difference on your specific route.
- Add insurance ($99) if not already included, since high-value cars benefit most from the coverage.
- Compare that total to a realistic repair estimate for a scratch, chip, or dent on your specific paint or finish.
Timeline: standard vs expedited applies either way
Trailer type and pickup speed are independent choices — you can pair enclosed transport with either a standard 1-7 business day window or an expedited 1-5 business day window (+35%). If you're shipping a car for an event or a sale deadline, expedited plus enclosed stacks both premiums, so build that into your total cost expectations rather than treating them as separate decisions.
The decision matrix
- Daily driver, no aftermarket work → open transport.
- Recent purchase over $30,000, factory condition → enclosed transport.
- Classic, exotic, or custom paint/wrap → enclosed transport, non-negotiable.
- Lowered vehicle regardless of value → open or enclosed with liftgate loading confirmed.
- Tight budget, standard sedan or SUV → open transport, standard pickup window.
Frequently asked questions
- Is enclosed transport actually safer, or just perception?
- It's a real difference, not just perception. Enclosed trailers block road debris, weather, and UV exposure that open trailers don't, which matters most for paint, wraps, and glass on higher-value vehicles.
- Can I switch from open to enclosed after booking?
- Yes, as long as it's before a carrier is assigned. Contact support to adjust the order — since nothing is charged until pickup, there's no cancellation fee to worry about when changing trailer type early.
- Does open transport still include insurance?
- Carrier liability coverage applies to both trailer types by default. Optional cargo coverage of $200,000 for $99 is available on top of that for either open or enclosed shipments.
- Why does enclosed cost 35% more?
- Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles per trip, require specialized equipment, and typically involve more experienced drivers handling higher-value cargo, all of which raise the operating cost passed through in the surcharge.