Ship Ahoy: Shipping Items through Freight Delivery

It can be surprisingly difficult to transport large shipments. While you could opt to load your cargo onto the back of your vehicle, the sheer weight and size of the object could deter all efforts to properly carry it around. If you need a bulky item such as a motorcycle or a big armoire transported, you might as well have it shipped by freight to spare yourself unnecessary trouble.

Freight shipping is the ideal transportation option for items that weigh more than 150 pounds, e.g. heavy equipment, cars, motorcycles, furniture, pianos, and many more. Freight shipping allows businesses and individuals to move bulky items safely and securely, thereby keeping the items being delivered free considerable damage. Those who wish to move their things via freight might want to keep in mind a few reminders, though.

For instance, customers must first weigh and measure the dimensions of their shipments beforehand. This way, they can have a clear point of reference in case any dispute arises. Customers should also be mindful of special delivery terms and conditions to ensure the safe and timely delivery of their shipments. In particular, parameters on hazardous material delivery must be clearly stated if the cargo in question consists of potentially hazardous chemicals. Finally, it pays to carefully choose the mode of delivery—whether by air, truck, or boat—in consideration of the required delivery time frames.

2 Ways to Ship a Motorcycle across Country

For your best friend’s upcoming birthday celebration in Philadelphia, you decided to surprise him with a vintage bike you bought from an owner in Florida. Yet a month before you head out to your buddy's place, you get a special assignment from your boss that makes it impossible to push through with your travel plans. You don't have to worry about your gift not arriving on time, however, as there are still ways to get the bike delivered to your best friend.

Your first option is to work with a truck and trailer transport company that transports big-ticket items across the country. These companies maintain a sizeable fleet of trucks and well-trained drivers. Your bike will most likely be placed on a trailer, either open or enclosed, along with several other items for transport.

The second choice is to work with a shipping company that provides motorcycle shipping services. Such a company won’t risk damaging your shipment by placing the bike without added protection on a trailer. Rather, a company of this sort will pack and build a custom crate for the bike to ensure it arrives in mint condition. Certain shipping companies even add braces to the crate to ensure that the contents are securely in place.

Tips on Motorcycle Shipping

If you value your motorcycle as many people do, you will want to make sure that it gets the best possible care when it has to be shipped from one location to another. This means carefully selecting the transport company to entrust your vehicle with, and ensuring the company has the right experience, equipment, and knowledge in shipping motorcycles safely.

To check on the credentials of a potential transport company, ask for their Department of Transportation number, and check if they have the right authorization from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Organization. Also, ask them to show proofs of their insurance policy, as well as references whom you can contact.

Additionally, inquire about their mode of transport, and the kind and quality of the transport vehicles they use. Motorcycles are typically shipped by land in 18-wheeler trucks that are clean and spacious. Additionally, the trucks should be fitted with the right tools and materials that can hold the vehicles in place while in transit, and prevent unnecessary movement that can lead to motorcycle damage.

Before turning over your bike to the carrier, make sure it is free of any personal belongings. It is also advisable to clean your bike and take pictures of it to show its condition before the shipment. You may then provide the shipping company with copies of the pictures so you could reference the same source should any claim for damage arise.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle Carrier

It is not surprising for many motorcycle owners to get attached to their vehicles and treat them like family, so much so that they often take their bikes with them whenever they travel. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to ride one's bike when traveling, thereby requiring the motorbike to be shipped separately.

If you need to transport your motorcycle, you would naturally want to make sure that it gets the best protection along the way and will arrive at its destination free from any damage. For this reason, it is important to choose a carrier carefully and go with a service provider you know you can rely on.

A carrier's reputation should be considered in your selection. You may be tempted with a lower rate from a company without a sufficient track record, but this may only lead to unnecessary anxiety over the shipping status of your precious bike. It is best to work with a company with a solid history and with the right insurance coverage. The company should also be knowledgeable about the logistics and paperwork involved in shipping a motorcycle to any destination.

Likewise, check on the fleet of vehicles a potential carrier uses when shipping motorcycles. These vehicles must have adequate space as well as the necessary gears and equipment to ensure the safe delivery of your motorcycle.