How Much Extra Does Auto Transport Cost for Oversized Vehicles Like Lifted Trucks?

So, you've got an oversized vehicle. Maybe a lifted truck, a customized SUV, or a classic with some serious modifications. You need to ship it. Good on you for thinking ahead. Shipping an oversized vehicle isn't the same as moving a standard sedan. Expect to pay more. That's just the reality of it.

At AMG Transport Co., we deal with these situations daily. Our job is to get your vehicle where it needs to go, safely and efficiently. We're an auto transport broker, and we handle the heavy lifting of logistics. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, is a carrier. So we know both sides of the coin. We know what carriers look for. We know what they avoid. And we know how to bridge that gap for you.

Why Oversized Means Over-Budget

It boils down to a few key factors. Space, weight, and specialized handling. Carriers have limited space on their trailers. A standard car takes up a certain footprint. A lifted truck, like a Ford F-350 with a 6-inch lift, eats up more. It might take up the space of two smaller vehicles. Or it might prevent another car from fitting at all.

Space Constraints on the Trailer

Carriers earn their money by maximizing trailer space. When your vehicle takes up more than its fair share, that lost revenue has to be recuperated. That cost gets passed to you. This is why even when trying to find the best auto transport company for out-of-state moves, an oversized vehicle will always incur a premium.

Weight Limitations

Trailers also have weight limits. A heavier vehicle impacts fuel efficiency and can restrict how many other vehicles can be loaded. This is particularly true for multi-car transport for families or dealerships looking to move multiple units. If your oversized vehicle pushes that limit, it's going to cost more.

Specialized Equipment or Handling

Some vehicles are so large they require specific trailer types. Or they might need extra tie-downs. This isn't just about a custom paint job. It's about overall dimensions. Think about shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference. An SUV is taller, wider, and heavier. A lifted truck amplifies those differences significantly.

What Defines an "Oversized" Vehicle for Auto Transport?

Generally, a vehicle is considered oversized if it exceeds standard dimensions. While these can vary slightly, common thresholds are:

• Length: Over 18 feet
• Width: Over 7 feet
• Height: Over 7 feet (especially important for enclosed auto transport for luxury cars or any covered service)

Many lifted trucks, dually trucks, and highly modified jeeps easily clear these measurements. Even some stock vehicles, like certain full-size vans or limousines, can fall into the oversized category.

The "Lifted Truck" Factor

Lift kits are popular. They also increase your shipping costs. A standard truck, say a Ram 1500, might fit on an open car carrier without issue. Add a significant lift, and now it might be too tall for certain routes or even particular spots on the trailer. This can limit the number of carriers willing to take the job. Fewer carriers mean higher prices due to less competition.

When we provide quotes, details matter. We ask for exact dimensions, including the height from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle. This is part of our VIN scan process and helps us give you honest quotes upfront. Knowing these accurate measurements helps us find the right carrier and avoid surprises.

Open vs. Enclosed Transport for Oversized Vehicles

This is another key decision that impacts cost, especially for a classic car transport enclosed carrier or any luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open discussion.

Open Car Carrier Transport Cost

Most oversized vehicles can travel on an open carrier. It's the most common and generally most affordable option. However, even with open transport, the oversized surcharge still applies. Open carriers are designed to handle various vehicle sizes, but the fundamental issues of space and weight remain.

Enclosed Auto Transport for Luxury Cars and Oversized Vehicles

Here's where it gets tricky. Many enclosed trailers have height restrictions. If your lifted truck won't fit, enclosed transport might not even be an option. If it does fit, the cost will be significantly higher than standard enclosed transport. Enclosed carriers offer more protection from elements and road debris, which is why they're popular for luxury cars and modified collector vehicles. But that premium grows exponentially with size. Your custom, oversized show truck might require a specialized single-car enclosed trailer, further driving up the price.

How Your Location Affects the Price

Where you're shipping from and to also plays a major role. Shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles is a common route. Shipping it from a remote ranch in Montana to northern Maine is not. Major routes, like cross-country car transport from coast to coast, tend to be more competitive. Less common routes mean fewer carriers, which drives up the price for everyone, especially for an oversized vehicle.

Relocating to Florida, ship car from Texas? Expect decent pricing. Need to ship from a small town in Kansas? That's going to be a different story. This is part of what affects car shipping cost per mile. Urban areas generally provide more options and better rates.

What to Expect for Costs

Giving exact figures without a specific vehicle and route is impossible. However, expect a surcharge of 10% to 50% or even more above the base rate for a standard vehicle. This isn't a fixed number. It depends heavily on just how oversized your vehicle is. An experienced car shipping broker you can trust will be transparent about these potential increases.

For example, if a standard sedan costs $1,000 to ship cross-country, your lifted truck might cost anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500, or even more for extreme cases or specialized transport needs. This is why getting multiple auto transport quotes is crucial, but remember, an affordable car shipping without hidden fees comes from accurate information upfront.

Dealing with Non-Running Oversized Vehicles

Shipping a non-running vehicle what to know? This adds another layer of complexity, and cost. If your oversized vehicle doesn't run, it requires special equipment to load and unload. That means a carrier needs a winch or other specialized capabilities. Not all carriers have this. This further restricts options and increases the price. Combine oversized with non-running, and you're looking at a significant jump in cost.

Why Use an Auto Transport Broker Like AMG Transport Co.?

Look, the auto transport industry has its share of pitfalls. Fraud and lowball quotes are out there. Carriers don't generally want to deal with individual customers. They prefer full loads and predictable pickups. That's where we come in.

As an auto transport broker, we do the frontend sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. We handle everything outside of maintaining and driving the trucks. Carriers rely on brokers to fill their trailers efficiently. We maintain good relationships with a network of vetted insured carriers. This ensures your vehicle, oversized or not, gets moved by professionals.

We provide nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. Our process includes Vin scans to ensure accuracy and Stripe deposits for secure payments. We aim for 72-hour pickup windows, giving you a clear expectation. We act as a buffer. We ensure rates are reasonable for you, while also ensuring carriers get paid fairly for their work. We're a vehicle logistics company Texas based, but our reach is nationwide.

When you're trying to figure out how to choose a reliable auto transport broker, consider their transparency, their process, and their relationship with carriers. We keep things professional. We don't sugarcoat. You need an experienced car shipping broker you can trust. We provide direct pick-up and delivery car transport service. We handle everything from shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference to complex oversized logistical challenges. From Texas to California, we're the expert broker for your transport needs.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.