What To Do With Your Car When You Move?
No matter where you are moving, you’ll have to transport your vehicle to your new location. When you’re unable to drive your car yourself, uncomfortable with a long trip, do not want your vehicle to be put through the rigors of a long-distance move, or do not want to worry about your car, shipping is an option you can consider.
Cars are often considered second homes by many people. The average American spends 1 hour and 30 minutes in it every day, or about 50% longer than at home. As a result, you must prepare your vehicle for relocation before you move.
What to do with your car when you move?
Before moving, you should decide what you will do with your car. If you wish to keep your vehicle while moving away from your hometown, there are several ways to do it. When you move, here are some tips on how to handle your car:
#1 You can store it
It may be worth storing your car at a decent storage facility. It benefits people who move short-term and not permanently, like military officers and need safe places to store their vehicles. If you own multiple cars or have one of sentimental value to you, this may be the right option for you. Then you can store your car at a storage facility such as the Airport Storage’s vehicle storage Salida facility if you’re moving from Salida, Colorado but plan to return.
Furthermore, it’s a viable option for people who don’t want to risk driving or shipping their beloved car to and from a location they know they won’t stay long in. In contrast to driving your vehicle or shipping it, storing it at a storage facility for the short term is the safest option. Most of the storage facilities specialize in the storage of cars and treat them as if they were their own.
#2 You can drive it
It may seem obvious that you should drive to your new destination. When moving to a new town, most people drive their car, especially if it is not too far away. Besides being cheaper than shipping your car, driving it to your new destination will also save you money on air and bus fares.
Before you set out for your new home, make sure your car is roadworthy. Despite the high upfront cost, you’ll literally save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. Taking your vehicle to your destination also allows you to bring sentimental items you can’t trust moving companies.
#3 You can ship it
If you are planning on moving far from your current town, shipping your car is the best course of action.
Most people do this to avoid the headache and tiresome task of driving across the country to save a few hundred dollars, especially when their new town is hundreds of miles away from their old one. Even though shipping a vehicle can be more expensive than driving a car, some might consider it a good investment, especially for people who value their time more than a few bucks.
Shipping your vehicle takes some stress off your shoulders during a move since you don’t want to get straight to unpacking and setting up your new home after a 10-hour drive. As a result, shipping your car might be your best bet.
#4 Put it up for sale
While deciding on the right course of action for your car, you should consider all your options. The risk of driving a car that breaks down often and is unreliable is a big one and can cost a fortune in the long run. Sell your car if you are thinking of changing or upgrading it soon, and your vehicle does not have sentimental value for you.
Unreliable vehicles are also more expensive to ship since shipping companies charge significantly more for cars that break down or don’t run during shipping. Instead, you can add the money to the amount you intend to spend on your next vehicle. Therefore, if you plan to change your car soon, selling it might be the best option since you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on fuel and shipping.
#5 Get it towed
Are you planning on moving multiple vehicles? It might be possible to tow one car behind another. In this case, you will want to ensure that the towing vehicle has enough power to handle the load because it might be necessary to tow the other vehicle up steep slopes.
You might even have some extra stuff stashed inside both vehicles, adding to their weight. You can also opt to have your car towed. When it comes to towing trailers, there are two options:
- The Tow Dolly. Vehicle trailers of this type lift a car’s two front tires above the ground. They are suitable for FWD cars that are small to medium in size. The cost of Tow Dollies is usually lower.
- An Automobile Carrier. Trailers like this carry cars and use their wheels to move. If you are driving long distances, it is a more reliable option.
Conclusion
Once you’ve seen all your options, it’s time to decide what to do with your car when you move. Take into account your situation and select the option that works best for you. In short, moving out of town is stressful, so make sure you choose what to do with your vehicle beforehand to make it easier.