Why Shipping a Van Can Be More Expensive
Auto transportation companies are expected to ship a lot more than just standard automobiles. In addition to regular-sized cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles, auto transporters are expected to handle things such as work vans, minivans, construction equipment, motorcycles – really, anything with wheels that can normally be moved under its own power (as opposed to something like a wagon or a bicycle).
In this blog post we’re going to discuss all things pertaining to the transportation of a van, be it a cargo van, minivan, work van, extended van, conversion van – you name it. If you own a type of van that we don’t cover here, make sure to call us at 800-930-7417 to speak to one of our live agents who can answer your questions and help you get a quote for whatever it is you’re looking to ship.
Let’s start off with minivans. As you know, minivans are built to haul a lot of people and cargo, which means they’re larger than most cars and some smaller SUV’s. When it comes to transporting a minivan it’s likely you won’t see any major price hikes over the cost of a regular car or smaller sport utility vehicle; generally they’re not any taller than a standard SUV and they usually don’t weigh much more.
This makes it easier to find carriers willing to transport minivans like the Dodge Grand Caravan, even the newest models, since auto shippers are already keenly familiar with their size and weight.
When it comes to cargo vans, the make and model will play a much larger role, since cargo vans are built for a more specific purpose.
Some cargo vans are small enough to warrant the same pricing as a minivan, but generally they’re heavier than a standard minivan. Weight can play a major role in your price; heavier vehicles cause a drop in fuel efficiency for your carrier, and when a carrier is only getting 8-12 miles per gallon anyway, it can cost a serious bit of cash to keep the truck on the road if they’re hauling a bunch of heavy vehicles.
Of course, every vehicle is heavy, so what we really mean is that weight is relative. A standard car only weighs so much; a cargo van is going to weigh significantly more. This, in turn, tends to increase the price of the cargo van to offset the lower fuel economy of the transport truck.
Cargo vans are commonly shipped; many businesses use them in their fleets, so fleet managers are constantly buying new ones, selling old ones, upgrading their fleet as they go along and making sure that everything is right in their little world.
Cargo vans vary greatly in size; small ones aren’t much bigger than minivans, but as you go up in size you tend to go up in price, with Sprinter vans (the vans with the really tall roofs) being some of the most expensive type of vehicle to ship. Sprinter vans are generally the most expensive because of their height.
If you have questions about the information in this (or any) blog post, you can call us toll-free to speak a live agent. No time spent on a menu, no waiting for the next available representative; just call and get connected with someone who can get you the information you need and who can help get you a free quote to ship your van.
If you’re looking for an instant auto transport quote, just take a minute to fill out our free quote form. You’ll get a free quote to ship your vehicle right away. We work only with reliable, licensed and insured carriers. But whether you get a quote online or give us a call and get it over the phone, let American Auto Shipping help you ship whatever you need to ship today.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
- When to go with an Enclosed Transport - October 2, 2023
- Understanding California’s EV Mandate - August 1, 2023
- Top Reasons Auto Shippers Are Delayed - January 9, 2023
