Security and safety are the most important things when a luxury car is to be shipped. Whether it is a vintage car, an exotic sports model, or simply a brand-new luxury vehicle, the goal is always to get the car to its destination in absolute perfect condition. One of the numerous doubts that the owners of vehicles have, is specifically, the ways of fixing in transport—whether enclosed luxury shippers use straps or wheel nets?
Here we will explain the different ways that the car transports by the enclosed luxury car shippers use to make your car safe including the use of straps and wheel nets and giving an idea to you about their effect on the security of your car during the move.
The Role of Straps and Wheel Nets in Luxury Car Shipping
Luxury car transport is a different story altogether as it needs to be done with special tools and methods. Unlike standard vehicles, luxury cars have fragile parts, expensive paint, and high-performance features that take a lot of care. The main objective of car shipping in an enclosed trailer is to hold the vehicle firmly and at the same time to ensure that the car is not damaged in any way.
Both straps and wheel nets are common methods for securing vehicles, but they are different in terms of functions and advantages. So, let’s get a detailed look of these two tools during the shipping process.
Straps: The Primary Method for Securing Luxury Vehicles
Maybe straps are the most common and multi-usage ways by which enclosed luxury car shippers secure the vehicles. They operate as follows:
- What Are Straps?
Straps are often constructed out of strong materials like polyester or nylon and are meant to be strong but still flexible. They are used to tightly secure a vehicle to the trailer and, thus, a vehicle can be a source of danger on the road (if it moves during the trip). Usually, straps are put on a car’s chassis, frame or axle so that a vehicle can be held in place.
- How Are Straps Used?
In transporting luxury cars, the straps are usually attached to the bottom parts of the vehicle, such as the tie-down points or D-rings in the trailer. The winches or ratchets are used to tighten the straps so that the car is kept still during the transit.
- Why Are Straps the Most Popular Choice for Luxury Vehicles?
Several reasons make straps the most popular choice to secure luxury vehicles:
Even Distribution of Pressure: Straps assist in the even distribution of pressure over the car’s body, thus, the possibility of oxygen-free areas on the metal is minimized.
Less Stress on the Suspension: Straps, if done correctly, will diminish the load on the suspension and tires, as the car will be firm throughout.
Adjustability: Straps have the ability to be altered to accommodate different brands, sizes, and shapes of vehicles resulting in the eventual holding of the car securely.
No Risk of Wheel Damage: In the case of correctly adjusted straps, a situation where there is an application of unnecessary pressure on the wheels or tires is not possible. This is a vital point for luxury cars with high-performance tires.
- Strap Safety Features
The straps used in luxury car shipping are usually equipped with some safety features which include:
Ratchets for loosening and tightening the straps without causing any damage to the straps.
Soft loops or padding that stop the straps from rubbing against the highly sensitive areas of the vehicle.
Adjustable hooks for different tie-down points, thus being able to ensure a custom fit for each car.
Wheel Nets: A Specialized Option for Added Security
Wheel nets are a secondary method for securing vehicles along with straps or an alternative method. Here is a complete guide to wheel nets in luxury car shipping:
- What Are Wheel Nets?
Wheel nets represent one of the types of a securing systems which, on the one hand, are built to safeguard the car’s wheels, and on the other, to avoid any kind of change of position during a transport. Such nets cover the tires and thus the vehicle is fixed in place by simply tying it down to the floor of the trailer.
- How Are Wheel Nets Used?
Generally, wheel nets are used by fitting the net over each of the car wheels. After that, the net is pulled tight and the tires are fixed to the surface of the trailer. The car is thus prevented from being under the net, so it cannot be put under brake and shifted while on the road.
- Why Use Wheel Nets for Luxury Cars?
Wheel nets are good for luxury cars due to the following reasons:
Wheel-Specific Security: Wheel nets revolve around locking the wheels, i.e. the tires that are the main points of interaction between the car and the ground. Thus, the wheels in which stability and safety are very important can be taken care of in a typical case of an exotic or classic car.
Less Risk of Scratching: As wheel nets are not in direct contact with the car body, there is less chance of the paint getting scratched or scuffed.
Perfect for Lowered or Modified Cars: If a vehicle has been lowered or has been customized with some modifications, wheel nets will be a better choice than the traditional straps.
- When Are Wheel Nets Preferred?
Wheel nets are usually the first choice in the case of a few vehicle types, for instance:
Exotic or Vintage Cars: The owners of peculiar or old cars mostly wheel nets to stop the use of straps that run over the car’s body and thus the potential damage of the car.
Low Clearance Vehicles: A car that has low ground clearance can be wheel netted so as not to require a high space like the traditional straps.
High-Value Cars: The use of wheel nets may be combined with the use of straps so that there will be more security for luxury or high-performance cars.
Do Enclosed Luxury Shippers Use Straps or Wheel Nets?
Either wheel nets or straps could be the answer to this question. It really depends on the needs of the vehicle and the owner’s preferences. The majority of the enclosed luxury car shippers use both straps and wheel nets to give the best security to the vehicle in the transport process. Below is a usual working example of this situation:
Combination of Both Methods:
Some secured vehicles are fixed with the help of an enclosed transport system that uses both straps as well as wheel nets. The vehicle is restrained by the straps, on the other hand, the wheel nets as well as the tires provide extra safety.
Choice Based on Vehicle Type:
For instance, as a result of the differing characteristics of a luxury car, the selection will be made by the shipping company for the most suitable way to ship the vehicle. The latter will be wheel nets for example, if the car is a very old classic one.
How to Guarantee That Your Luxury Car will Get the Finest Protection
If you want to give your luxury car the best protection during shipping, you can take the following actions:
Pick a Good Shipping Company: Find a car carrier that knows well how to handle luxury and rare cars. Enclosed transport and custom packaging should be among the options that the company provides.
Secure Your Vehicle: When booking your freight, ask the shipper what he does specifically i.e if he uses straps, wheel nets or a combination of them to secure your vehicle.
Describe the Needs of Your Vehicle: Mention that you have a high-performance or rare car when booking the transport. Let the carrier know that he has to use specialized methods if not for safety but for your peace of mind.
Conclusion
In case of luxury vehicle shipping, if the car is a vintage, rare model, or a high-end sports car, the most important thing is to avoid getting the car damaged. Typically, enclosed carriers will strap and put a wheel net on your car to keep it steady and give the required protection during delivery.
We at Shipping Your Car realize the worth of your luxury vehicle, and our enclosed transport services are the best way to safeguard it. No matter which of these – straps, wheel nets, or a combination of both – we choose, our objective is to have your car safe reach its destination. Get in touch with us now to find out more about our top-class shipping alternatives for luxury cars.
