Bear Shift Vehicle transport · arranged with vetted carriers
Car hauling and vehicle transport for dealers, auctions and fleets
Car hauling and vehicle transport in the Seattle area takes a carrier built for vehicles, whether you are a dealer moving a row of cars, an auction buyer, a fleet or a private owner with one car. We find and book auto transport carriers with active authority and cargo insurance, and we coordinate the pickup and the delivery. The carrier loads and hauls the vehicles under its own authority; Bear Shift is the licensed freight broker that arranges it.
Open or enclosed, running or not
Most vehicles travel on open car carriers, the multi-level trailers you see on the highway, which are the usual choice for dealer and auction units. Enclosed carriers shield the vehicle from weather and road debris and are worth considering for classic, luxury or freshly reconditioned cars. Single-car and small multi-car trailers can reach addresses where a full-size carrier cannot turn around.
A car that runs, steers and brakes is driven onto the trailer. A vehicle that does not start or cannot be driven needs a carrier with a winch to pull it aboard, and sometimes a forklift at the pickup site, so describe its condition before booking. Each vehicle is listed by its VIN on the shipping paperwork, which makes a multi-car load easy to check at delivery.
Who we arrange vehicle transport for
- Dealers sending inventory between stores or bringing in trade-ins.
- Buyers who need cars brought back from wholesale or online auctions.
- Fleets, rental and leasing companies relocating cars, vans and light trucks.
- Individuals moving to a new city, buying a car online or bringing home one bought in another state.
How a vehicle load is arranged
- You send the year, make, model and VIN of each vehicle, whether it runs, and the pickup and delivery addresses.
- We send a price for open or enclosed transport, and you approve it before anything is booked.
- We book a vetted car carrier and coordinate the pickup window and any gate pass or release the lot requires.
- The driver records each vehicle's condition with photos at pickup and again at delivery, and you get the delivery report.
What to send for a vehicle quote
For every vehicle: year, make, model and VIN, whether it runs and rolls, and any change that affects its size, such as a lift kit or oversized tires. Tell us whether you want open or enclosed transport, the pickup and delivery addresses with their hours, and the name of the contact at each end. For auction purchases, have the buyer number and the release ready.
Inspections and extras
The condition report taken at pickup and at delivery, with photos, is the record of how each vehicle looked when it changed hands, so walk around the car with the driver and note any damage before you sign. Waiting time at a lot, a vehicle that is not ready or does not match its description, or an extra stop are charged under the terms of your quote.
Get your vehicles priced
Vehicle transport questions
How many vehicles can you arrange in one load?
Anything from a single car to a full carrier load. Send us the list with each VIN, and we look for a carrier whose trailer fits the number and size of the vehicles; pickups and large vans take more room than sedans. Every carrier we book has active FMCSA authority and at least $1,000,000 in auto liability and $100,000 in cargo insurance on its certificate. If the vehicles together are worth more than that cargo amount, tell us their value when you ask for a price.
What if the vehicle does not start?
Tell us before booking. An inoperable vehicle needs a carrier with a winch, and it still has to roll and steer unless it can be loaded with a forklift at the pickup site. Non-running vehicles usually cost more to transport, because loading them takes more time and equipment.
How does the inspection work?
At pickup the driver walks around each vehicle, notes existing scratches and dents, and takes photos. At delivery the same check is repeated with you or your receiver. If something new appears, write it on the delivery report before signing and tell us right away, so we can help you file the claim with the carrier; its cargo insurance is usually what responds.