The short answer
If you drive the car every day, open transport is usually the sensible choice. If the car is rare, freshly restored or hard to replace, enclosed transport deserves a serious look.
What open transport involves
Open carriers move several vehicles on two levels. There are more of them on the road, so schedules tend to be more flexible. The vehicle is exposed to weather and road dust, much as it would be if you drove it the same distance.
What enclosed transport adds
An enclosed trailer shields the vehicle from weather, debris and view. Fewer trucks offer this service, so it usually costs more and takes more planning.
Questions to ask yourself
Three simple questions usually settle it:
- Would a small paint chip seriously affect the car's value?
- Does the vehicle have low clearance that needs special loading?
- Do you have the date flexibility to wait for the right truck?