How to Prepare a 4WD for Transport

Car transport companies will do their utmost to protect your vehicle, but if you’re looking to transport a 4WD, it is worth preparing it well to minimise risks.

Follow these steps when preparing your 4WD or light commercial for transportation.

Here’s how to prepare your 4WD for interstate transport

Ensure that:

• The vehicle is completely empty. All personal and loose items have been removed from your vehicle, check compartments such as glove box, console, CD stacker, boot etc.
• Your vehicle is safe to transport i.e. has working brakes and handbrakes, seats, all glass in-tact, the body of the vehicle is in good condition, has 4 fully inflated tyres and will not pose a safety risk to either the car transport company’s staff or other road users.
• You have advised your car transport service provider if your vehicle has been fitted with an Alcohol Interlocking Device, and will provide them with a minimum of 20 new mouthpieces for vehicle transport.
• One spare tyre, factory tools and fitted baby seats are permitted as are disabled assistance items providing they are securely fastened
• The fuel tank is approximately 1/4 full.
• Any non-factory fitted alarm system has been disabled or deactivated, or that you have provided written instructions for the alarm system and the necessary keys for its use.
• Let your car transport services company know of any modifications to the vehicle i.e. roof racks, bull bar, running boards fitted, if the vehicle has been lowered, spoilers fitted, height pack fitted etc. (They will certainly need to know for loading that the factory dimensions of the vehicle have not altered with the additions that you have had done to your vehicle.)
• Emergency beacon lights or large two-way type aerials that are fitted have been removed or lowered for transit.
• Spare fuel containers or domestic type LPG bottles have been removed.
• Any tool box is empty and accessible for Quarantine inspection processes.
• Canopies with canvas covers/fixtures are in a good condition and safe to transport, and will not tear or split in transit.

In addition, your car transport services company will generally take the following steps to ensure your 4WD remains as safe as possible.

• Before transporting your vehicle, the car transport services company representative will complete a Vehicle Transport Contract and Vehicle Condition Report with you. You will be required to sign these documents.
• Some towns and cities have restrictions for access by large vehicles, and/or have streets that cannot be accessed by larger trucks. If you’ve requested pickup or delivery in such a location, your car transport company will generally try and make alternative, mutually satisfactory, arrangements with you for collection and delivery.
• If you or a person representing you (i.e. your “agent”) can’t be there at collection or delivery, let the car transport company know so that the can make alternative arrangements.

By following these steps when preparing your 4WD for transport, you can be confident that it will be looked after and protected during transport and minimise any delays to delivery.