Expedited Transport: When Should You Use It?
Many clients don’t think about expedited transport until something urgent happens. With the use of smaller trailers known as hot-shots, your shipment can get on the road as quickly as possible. These trailers carry fewer vehicles, which means faster pickup and delivery times. Hotshot trailers also come in different variations, and choosing the right one will depend on your needs. Let’s go over why and when expedited transport makes sense, and which trailer type is best for each situation.
Why Choose Expedited Transport?
Expedited transport is the best choice when time is a priority. Generally, auto transport is done on large car carriers that can haul up to 9 vehicles at a time. You’ve probably seen these on the road with multiple cars “stacked” across two levels. The challenge with 9 vehicles is managing 9 different pickup and delivery schedules, which extends the time it takes to load and deliver each car. In comparison, smaller carriers, commonly referred to as hotshots, usually handle just 2–3 vehicles. With fewer cars and schedules to manage, hotshots can speed up pickup, transit, and delivery times.
Expedited Trailer Options
We understand that every transport request is different. Depending on your vehicle or shipment you may need a specific type of trailer. We offer various hot shot trailer options to accommodate your needs while still providing the faster pickup and delivery times that expedited service offers.
- Open Hotshot Trailer – The expedited version of the standard open carrier, designed to haul 1–3 vehicles. Cars are transported open and exposed to the outside elements, but also the most affordable for expedited shipping.
- Enclosed Hotshot Trailer – Provides the added protection of a fully enclosed trailer while handling only 1–3 cars. Best option for luxury, classic, or high-end vehicles that need both protection and the fastest auto transport service.
- Flatbed Hotshot Trailer – Built for shipments that aren’t standard vehicles or are too large for open or enclosed trailers. Perfect for transporting heavy equipment, palletized freight, oversized loads, or larger vehicles that need fast turnaround.
Each trailer provides the speed of expedited transport, with options tailored to fit your specific shipment.
When to Use Expedited Auto Transport
There are many situations where expedited auto transport makes sense. The most common is an urgent or last-minute move, but urgency isn’t the only factor. There are several scenarios where expedited service is the best choice. Which one fits your situation?
- Last-Minute Relocations – This is the most common reason for expedited requests. Customers need to make last minute arrangements due to job transfers, military moves or family emergencies.
- Carrier Cancellations – We get this scenario a lot. Customers book with other companies and when the time comes to have their vehicle picked up, the company is a no show. Leaving customers scrambling looking for a last minute transport.
- Owner Preference – Many luxury vehicles owners do not want to have their vehicles to be out on the road for too long. They want the speed of service plus the protection an enclosed hot shot trailer offers.
- Auction Purchases – Generally auctions will give buyers a certain number of days to pickup their vehicle before they start acquiring storage fees or worse, risk losing the purchase altogether. To ensure that their vehicles are out of the auction an expedited transport makes sense.
- Pickup and Delivery Locations – Because hotshot trailers are smaller than standard multi-car carriers, they can often reach pickup and delivery locations that a big rig can’t. This isn’t so much about speed, but more about flexibility and accessibility.
- Equipment & Machinery – Flatbed hotshot is ideal for shipments that are oversized/heavy loads. Expedited flatbeds provide the speed and flexibility to get equipment where it needs to be on short notice.
- Time-Sensitive Business Needs – You’ve heard the saying “time is money,” and for many businesses it’s true. Dealers, construction companies, and event coordinators with strict deadlines can’t afford delays. Expedited transport ensures shipments arrive on time so their operations can keep running smoothly.
Choosing the Right Service for Your Situation
We’ve discussed the trailer options and when expedited may be best suited for you, but choosing the right service will depend on your shipment. Standard cars are best on open or enclosed hot shot trailers, while luxury vehicles are safest in enclosed. Non-standard vehicles such as large oversize commercial vehicles or heavy machinery may be handled best by flatbed hotshots. Whichever service you choose, expedited transport gives you the speed and reliability you need when time matters most.
Streaming Logistics is ready to get your shipment on the road. Contact us today (813) 841-8908 for a free expedited transport quote.