The short answer
Lifted trucks and Jeeps need to be measured for total height, width, and length before booking, since anything exceeding standard dimensions triggers a flat 15% large vehicle surcharge and determines which carriers can even take the load. Remove roof racks, light bars, and other tall overlanding accessories, choose open transport in most cases, and expect a fresh wash before pickup since a mud-covered rig makes an honest damage inspection impossible.
- The oversized/large vehicle surcharge is a flat 15% added to the base rate for lifted trucks and Jeeps exceeding standard dimensions.
- Total height including any lift kit, roof rack, and antenna needs to be measured and reported accurately before booking.
- Open transport is usually the better choice for lifted trucks since most already handle weather exposure fine and enclosed adds 35% on top of any oversized fee.
- Removable accessories like light bars, roof tents, and awnings should come off before pickup to avoid clearance issues on multi-level carriers.
- Trail mud and dirt need to be washed off before pickup since it obscures the panel-by-panel damage inspection recorded on the Bill of Lading.
How to measure your rig correctly
- Height: measure from ground to the tallest fixed point, including any roof rack, light bar, or antenna — not just the cab roof.
- Width: measure across the widest point, which on a lifted truck is often the tires or aftermarket fender flares, not the mirrors.
- Length: measure bumper to bumper including any hitch-mounted accessories, tire carriers, or towing equipment.
- Report all three dimensions accurately when booking — an undisclosed oversized vehicle is the single most common reason a carrier rejects a load at pickup.
Which accessories need to come off before pickup
- Roof-top tents and awnings, which add height and width beyond what most carriers plan for.
- Light bars and auxiliary lighting mounted above the roofline.
- Removable snorkels or antennas that extend well past the factory height.
- Loose bed accessories like traction boards or jerry cans that aren't securely mounted.
Why open transport usually makes more sense
Lifted trucks and Jeeps are built for weather exposure already, which is exactly the scenario enclosed transport exists to prevent for more delicate vehicles. Since enclosed adds a 35% surcharge on top of any oversized fee, most owners find open transport delivers the same outcome for less money — the truck arrives road-dust-covered at worst, which is nothing a wash won't fix. Enclosed still makes sense for a heavily customized build with expensive one-off paint or wrap work, but it's the exception rather than the rule for this vehicle category.
How the flat 15% oversized multiplier works
Once your measurements confirm the vehicle exceeds standard dimensions, a flat 15% surcharge applies to the base route rate — not a separate flat fee, but a percentage that scales with your specific route's cost. This reflects the reality that oversized vehicles take up more deck space on a multi-car carrier, sometimes displacing what would otherwise be another vehicle slot, and may require a specific carrier configuration to fit safely alongside other loads.
Washing off trail mud before the inspection
The pickup inspection that becomes your Bill of Lading depends entirely on the driver being able to see the vehicle's actual painted surface. A truck fresh off the trail with mud caked on the rockers, wheel wells, and lower doors makes it impossible to spot or document existing scratches and dents, which works against you if you ever need to file a damage claim. A quick wash — it doesn't need to be a full detail — before the driver arrives protects you far more than it seems like it should.
Pre-pickup checklist summary
- Measure height, width, and length accurately and report them at booking.
- Remove roof tents, light bars, and any tall or wide add-ons.
- Wash the exterior so mud doesn't obscure the pickup inspection.
- Decide between open (usually sufficient) and enclosed (for high-value custom builds).
- Confirm the 15% oversized surcharge is reflected in your quote before pickup day.
Frequently asked questions
- What counts as an oversized vehicle for the 15% surcharge?
- Any lifted truck or Jeep whose height, width, or length exceeds standard passenger vehicle dimensions once accessories like lift kits, roof racks, or tire carriers are factored in. Accurate measurements at booking determine whether this applies.
- Should I remove my roof-top tent before shipping?
- Yes. Roof-top tents and similar tall accessories add height and width that can create clearance issues on multi-level carriers, so removing them before pickup avoids potential rejection or damage.
- Is enclosed transport necessary for a lifted truck?
- Usually not. Lifted trucks are typically built to handle weather exposure already, so open transport is sufficient for most builds and costs less than enclosed's 35% surcharge stacked on top of any oversized fee.
- Why do I need to wash my truck before the driver arrives?
- The pickup inspection recorded on the Bill of Lading depends on the driver being able to see the paint clearly. Mud from trail use can hide existing scratches or dents, which works against you if you need to file a damage claim later.