By Texas Tows Inc.
Car shipping in Dallas can mean anything from a move across town to a haul across Texas, and the right questions are the same for both. Ask who will actually move your car, what equipment they use, what the quote depends on and how they document your vehicle's condition. This guide covers those questions and how our vehicle transport service answers them.
Quick Summary
- Ask whether the company that quotes you is the company that will send the truck and driver.
- Ask what kind of truck carries the car. Texas Tows performs all vehicle transport on its own flatbed trucks, with all four wheels off the ground.
- A transport quote depends on distance, vehicle type and any special handling, so expect questions about all three.
- Ask for a condition check at pickup and at delivery, and take your own photos too.
What counts as car shipping in Dallas?
It is any planned move of a vehicle from one place to another on a truck instead of under its own power. In Dallas, that is often a short-haul job: a car going from a seller's driveway to a buyer, from a home to a repair shop, or from one side of the city to a storage garage.
Texas Tows describes its vehicle transport service as covering moves "across Dallas or across Texas." The same questions apply at either distance. A short move still puts your car on a truck, so it is worth knowing who is driving it and how it is secured.
If your car is stuck right now and you need a tow instead of a planned move, our towing service page is the better starting point.
Who will actually move your car?
Ask this first, and ask it in plain words: "Will your company send the truck and driver, or will you hand my car to another carrier?" Some companies own and drive their trucks. Others arrange a move and pass it to someone else. Both can be legitimate, but you should know which one you are dealing with before you pay a deposit or hand over keys.
Ask the company to confirm in writing whether it will send its own truck and driver. Texas Tows' vehicle transport page says the driver arrives with flatbed equipment, performs a pre-transport inspection and completes a delivery inspection with you. If any company, ours included, gives you a different answer than you expected, get the details in writing before you book.
For a tow company that moves your car, TDLR says tow truck companies, tow trucks and tow truck operators must be licensed by the state. The TDLR website has a license search page where you can look up a company. Ask for the license number and check it yourself.
Why does the type of truck matter?
Because it decides how your car sits during the trip and what contacts the ground. Ask: "What equipment will carry my car, and will any wheels touch the road?"
Texas Tows' vehicle transport page says all transport is done on flatbed trucks, and the vehicle rides with all four wheels off the ground. The company says this removes the risk of drivetrain damage from a wheel-lift tow. Its flatbed towing page adds that all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with a wheel-lift, and that flatbeds suit luxury and low-clearance cars.
What does a car shipping quote depend on?
Mainly three things. The vehicle transport page says Texas Tows gives a quote "based on distance, vehicle type, and any special handling requirements."
- Distance: a move across Dallas is a different job than a trip across Texas.
- Vehicle type: size and weight change the equipment and the loading.
- Special handling: a low-clearance car, a luxury car or a vehicle that cannot be driven onto the truck may need more care.
Be ready to describe the car, the pickup address and the destination. When you ask for a quote, ask what it covers and whether anything could change it. You can also read our guide to what towing costs in Dallas for how distance, vehicle type and equipment affect a price. We list no transport prices here because the company quotes each job individually.
What happens at pickup and delivery?
A good move has a record of the car's condition at both ends. Texas Tows' vehicle transport page describes this sequence:
- You call and describe the job. The company gathers details about your vehicle, the pickup location and the destination.
- You get a quote. It is based on distance, vehicle type and special handling.
- The driver arrives with flatbed equipment and performs a pre-transport inspection of your vehicle.
- The vehicle is loaded and secured, then transported to the destination with regular status updates.
- A delivery inspection is completed with you to confirm the vehicle arrived in the same condition it left.
The page also says the company documents the vehicle's condition before and after transport. Ask to see or receive that record. Raise it when you book, not at the curb.
How should you get your car ready?
Do a few simple things before the truck arrives. None of them replace the driver's inspection, but they give you your own record.
- Take photos of every side of the car, the wheels and the interior, taken before the truck arrives.
- Note the mileage and the fuel gauge in a photo.
- Remove personal items you do not want to travel with the car.
- Tell the company about anything unusual before the truck is sent: a car that will not start, a low-clearance body or a locked steering wheel. Our secondary tow service is a related option when a car has to move from one stop to another, such as from a storage lot to a shop.
Giving accurate details early helps the company send the right equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas Tows ship cars?
Texas Tows offers vehicle transport in Dallas, TX, and its service page says it handles moves "across Dallas or across Texas." All vehicle transport is performed on the company's flatbed trucks. Call (817) 512-1024 to describe your vehicle and your destination.
What should I ask before booking a car shipping company?
Ask who will actually move your car, what equipment carries it, what the quote depends on and how the company documents the car's condition at pickup and delivery. Get any answer that matters in writing before you pay a deposit.
Is a flatbed better than a wheel-lift for moving a car?
Texas Tows says a flatbed carries the car with all four wheels off the ground, which removes drivetrain contact. Its flatbed page says all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with a wheel-lift. Ask any company which method it will use for your car.
How much does it cost to ship a car in Dallas?
It depends on the job. Texas Tows says its quote is based on distance, vehicle type and any special handling requirements, so there is no single price to publish. Call (817) 512-1024 or use the Request Service form to describe your car and get a quote.
Can I get a quote at night or on a weekend?
Texas Tows says it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. You can call (817) 512-1024 at any time or send a request through the form.
Need a Car Moved in Dallas?
Tell us about your vehicle, the pickup location and where it needs to go. Call Texas Tows at (817) 512-1024 any time, day or night, or use the Request Service form and choose Vehicle Transport.
Sources
- Texas Tows, Vehicle Transport Service in Dallas, TX and Flatbed Towing in Dallas, TX
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Tow Trucks, Operators and Vehicle Storage Facilities
This post is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
