Transport Equipment

Open Carrier

An open, multi-vehicle car-hauler trailer — the standard transport equipment for 90% of all auto shipments.

4 min read

On this page

Highlights Live operations What it means Why it matters First-time shipper Operational reality Real-world example What to expect Common mistakes Misunderstandings What happens next Trust & screening Related processes FAQs

Intelligence Highlights

Industry Share

~90%

Of US consumer auto shipments

Capacity

7–10 vehicles

Per trailer

Cost vs Enclosed

30–60% less

Long-distance routes

Open carriers are the workhorse of the auto transport industry. The open multi-car trailer you see on the highway carrying 7–10 vehicles is the standard equipment for everyday shipping. Open transport is the most affordable, most widely available, and most appropriate option for any standard daily-driver vehicle.

Live Operations

Operational Posture

Current operating conditions across the EZ Auto Movers carrier network. Editorial signals updated by coordinators — not a live market feed.

Open capacity

Wide

Open multi-car trailers move ~90% of US consumer auto shipments.

Enclosed capacity

Limited

Enclosed equipment runs ~10% of fleet capacity — book 2–3 weeks ahead.

Equipment screening

Class-matched

We match equipment (open / enclosed / soft-tie / lift-gate) to vehicle class on every load.

Coordinator availability

24/7

Equipment questions answered any time before booking confirmation.

Section 01

What it means

An open carrier is a two-level steel trailer that hauls vehicles in the open air, exposed to weather and road conditions. The trailer is towed by a Class 8 truck and typically carries 7 to 10 vehicles per load. Open carriers are FMCSA-regulated, with active cargo insurance, and operated by professional drivers with hazmat-grade documentation. The same trailers used to deliver new cars from factory to dealership are used to ship customer vehicles.

Section 02

Why it matters

Open transport is dramatically more affordable than enclosed transport — typically $300–$600 less on long-distance routes — because the equipment is more common, capacity is higher, and operating costs are lower. For 90% of vehicles, open transport delivers identical safety and reliability at half the price. Choosing enclosed transport for a standard sedan, SUV, or pickup is functionally a luxury upgrade, not a safety upgrade.

Your first shipment

First-time shipper guide

Plain-language analogy

Open carriers are the same trailers that delivered every new car you've ever seen at a dealership — multi-vehicle, two-level, open to the air. If it was safe enough to move a brand-new vehicle from factory to showroom, it's safe enough to move yours.

Your one-paragraph takeaway

For a normal daily-driver — sedan, SUV, pickup, EV that isn't exotic — open transport is the right answer. Expect a thin layer of road dust at delivery (rinses off in 5 minutes) and the same cargo insurance an enclosed trailer carries.

Section 03

Operational reality

Open carriers operate on tight, capacity-driven economics. Drivers optimize load order for weight balance and delivery sequence — top deck vs. lower deck is dictated by route logistics, not customer preference. Loads typically run 80–95% full; carriers will hold for an extra day to fill rather than dispatch half-empty. This is why pricing your load competitively shortens dispatch dramatically.

Section 04

Real-world example

A family relocating from Atlanta to Phoenix ships a 2021 Honda Pilot. They pay $1,050 for open transport — the vehicle arrives in 5 days with a thin layer of road dust and zero damage. The same shipment in an enclosed trailer would have cost $1,650 — same delivery timeline, same condition on arrival minus the dust. The $600 differential bought no additional protection for a vehicle worth $30,000 that already lives outdoors.

Section 05

What to expect as a customer

Expect a thin layer of road dust on the vehicle at delivery — this is normal and rinses off.
Carrier insurance covers all damage from road debris, weather, and handling — same coverage as enclosed.
Pickup and delivery use the same multi-car trailer that delivered your vehicle when it was new.
Lower-deck position is slightly preferable to upper-deck for shorter vehicles (better ground clearance).

Section 06

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing enclosed transport for a daily-driver vehicle out of unnecessary caution — wasted money.+

Assuming open transport is less insured — cargo insurance is identical for open and enclosed.+

Worrying about debris damage — the industry sees claim rates well under 1% on open transport.+

Asking for 'fixed top-deck loading' — driver loads the trailer based on weight distribution, not customer preference.+

Section 07

Common misunderstandings

Open does not mean uninsured — cargo insurance coverage is identical to enclosed.
Open does not mean exposed to constant debris — vehicles ride 4–6 feet off the road, well above splash zones.
Open is not a downgrade — it is the standard used to deliver every new car from factory to dealer.

Process continuity

What happens next

1
Quote and book
Open transport quotes are typically 30–60% lower than enclosed on the same lane.
2
Carrier assignment
Open capacity is wide — assignment typically happens within 2–4 business days.
3
Pickup and load
Driver loads your vehicle in load-balance order — upper or lower deck is operational, not preferential.
4
Delivery and inspection
Rinse off the road dust, run a normal BOL inspection, and you're done.

Need expert guidance on your shipment?

Talk with a coordinator. Free quote in minutes. No deposit required.

(888) 508-2175 Free Quote

Trust & screening

How we keep your shipment safe

Coordinators

24/7

Carrier authority

MC + DOT verified

Cargo coverage

Confirmed per load

Upfront deposit

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is open transport safe?+

Yes. Open transport is the standard for the industry — including all new car deliveries from factory to dealership. Damage rates on open transport run well below 1%, and all shipments are covered by active cargo insurance.

Will my car get damaged by road debris on an open carrier?+

Highly unlikely. Vehicles are elevated 4–6 feet off the road, debris is rare in normal conditions, and the trailer's design protects most surfaces. Reported damage from road debris is extremely uncommon.

How much cheaper is open vs. enclosed transport?+

Open transport is typically $300–$600 less than enclosed on long-distance routes. The price gap reflects equipment capacity (open holds 7–10 vehicles; enclosed holds 4–6) and equipment availability.

Should I ever pay for enclosed transport?+

Yes — for high-value vehicles ($75K+), classic and antique cars, low-clearance sports cars, or vehicles with showroom-condition paint where road exposure is unacceptable.

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