Why do enclosed carriers cost more than open carriers?
People ask me this daily. They see the price difference and think we are just padding the bill. We are not. I have been in this game a long time. My parent company, AMG Endeavors, runs the trucks. My team at AMG Transport Co. handles the logistics. We see both sides.
If you want the short answer, it is about equipment and insurance. If you want the real answer, keep reading. The roads are a mess. Debris, weather, and theft are real risks. You pay for the peace of mind that those risks stay outside of a metal box.
The Fundamental Hardware Gap
Most people see a big car hauler on the highway and think they are all the same. They are not. Most car shipping services Texas offers rely on open carriers. These are the two-tier trailers you see everywhere. They carry nine or ten cars at once. They are efficient and rugged.
An enclosed trailer is a different beast. It is a heavy, hard-sided box. It has specialized hydraulic lift gates. These gates keep the car level while loading. Low-clearance cars like Ferraris can't drive up a standard ramp without ripping the bumper off. The tech required to move these cars safely is expensive to buy and expensive to maintain.
Capacity and Fuel Efficiency
Open carriers are the workhorses because of volume. They fit more cars. More cars per load means a lower open car carrier transport cost for the customer. It is simple math.
Enclosed trailers usually hold fewer vehicles. Some only hold two or three. Others hold six. When a driver has fewer units to split the fuel bill, the price per unit goes up. Speaking of fuel, an enclosed trailer is basically a giant sail. It catches the wind. It weighs more. The truck burns more diesel to move it. You pay for that fuel.
Quick Comparison: Open vs. Enclosed
| Feature | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Average Cost | Lower ($) | Higher ($$$) |
| Vehicle Exposure | Weather and Road Debris | Fully Protected |
| Capacity | 9-10 Vehicles | 2-7 Vehicles |
| Load Method | Ramps | Hydraulic Lift Gates |
| Best For | Daily Drivers / SUVs | Exotic / Classic / Luxury |
Insurance and Liability Limits
Here is what the flashy websites won't tell you. The insurance requirements for enclosed auto transport for luxury cars are significantly higher. If an open carrier is hauling ten used sedans, the total cargo value might be $300,000. If an enclosed carrier is hauling two vintage Porsches and a McLaren, the cargo value could exceed $2 million.
At AMG Transport Co., we don't guess. We vet our carriers. We verify their insurance cargo limits. If a broker sends a million-dollar car on a truck with a $100,000 policy, they are reckless. We don't do that. You pay more for an enclosed spot because the carrier is paying more for the insurance to cover that high-value asset.
The Reality of the Industry
I’ll be blunt. This industry is full of fraud. You have people bidding low prices just to get your deposit. Then they disappear. Or they find a carrier who hasn't serviced his rig in three years.
As a logistics manager, my job is to be your buffer. I keep the rates reasonable but realistic. Carriers don't like dealing with the public. Most drivers want to drive. They don't want to explain door-to-door car shipping how it works thirty times a day. They talk to us. We handle the coordination. We handle the paperwork. We solve the problems so the driver can focus on not crashing.
Carriers also know that private individuals can be difficult to collect payment from. They prefer working with a trusted car shipping broker reviews can back up. They know we pay. They know we handle the customer. Because of that relationship, I can get my clients better service than someone calling a random trucker off the street.
Why Choice Matters for Nationwide Vehicle Shipping
If you are relocating to Florida ship car from Texas, you have choices. For a 2018 Honda Accord, an open carrier is fine. It’s what dealerships use. It’s safe and reliable.
But if you need classic car transport enclosed carrier services, you are paying for the "white glove" treatment. This includes floor covers, seat covers, and specialized tie-down methods that won't ruin the suspension. It is about protecting an investment, not just moving a tool from point A to point B.
What Affects the Bottom Line?
When we calculate what affects car shipping cost per mile, we look at several things:
1. Total distance (e.g., ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles).
2. Vehicle size (an SUV takes more space than a sedan).
3. Timeline (our 72-hour pickup windows are standard).
4. Equipment type (Open vs. Enclosed).
Enclosed shipping will always be the premium option. It takes more time to find the right truck. It takes more time to load. It involves much higher stakes.
Why Work with AMG Transport Co.?
We are a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. We know trucks because our parent company owns them. We don't hide fees. We don't lie about dates.
We use VIN scans to ensure the right car is on the right truck. We use Stripe for secure deposits. We don't use "fly-by-night" carriers. Every carrier we hire is vetted and insured. If they don't meet our standards, they don't get our clients' cars.
You can try to do this yourself. You will likely end up with a driver who doesn't answer his phone or a broker who takes your money and forgets your name. We are the "guiding light" in a messy business. We do the work carriers hate doing so you get your car back in one piece.
If you want a quote that actually holds up, talk to us. We provide affordable car shipping without hidden fees. It won't be the cheapest quote you get, but it will be the most honest one.
Ready to move? Get a real quote from an experienced car shipping broker you can trust.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.