Open-deck car haulers are the most frequently utilized and trusted methods for transporting vehicles over long distances in the USA when you want a cheap and dependable freight service for your car. If that is the case, then which type of open-deck car haulers would be suitable for your move? Maybe you are moving to a new place, buying a car from a different state, or shipping your vehicle to use it during the season travel. If you know how to use open-deck car haulers, then you can decide what kind of transport will be most convenient for you in terms of needs, budget, and timeline.
We at Car-Transport.org cooperate with a network of carriers who are certified and offer various open-deck hauling solutions that are most convenient for standard sedans, SUVs, and compact cars and even for oversized vehicles. This article reveals the most accessible ways of open-deck hauling, the plus-points of such services as well as determining them helps you get the right fit for your predicament.

What Are Open-Deck Car Haulers?
Open-deck car haulers are multi or single-level transport trailers that go in the open without cover, thus, rendering vehicles vulnerable to outdoor elements. In contrast to enclosed carriers, open haulers leave cars exposed to nature but put ty-ing and professional handling, firm securing, and proper tie-downs at the driver’s and crew’s disposal as the means of reliable protection.
Why open-deck haulers remain the industry standard:
- Lower cost in comparison with enclosed shipping
- More expedited pickups
- Compatible with the majority of vehicle types
- Utilized by dealerships all over the country
- Enable carriers to carry several vehicles on a single journey
Thanks to their great operating efficiency and low price, they are the preferred solution by thousands of customers every day.
Secondary Choices for Open-Deck Vehicle Transport
Open-deck haulers have various set-ups depending on the road, type of vehicle, and availability. Knowing these alternatives helps customers decide which is the most convenient for them to transport their goods.
1. Multi-Car Open Haulers (7 to 10 Vehicles)
These are the tall, double-deck carriers most people recognize on highways.
Ideal for:
This option is ideal for standard sedans, SUVs, and crossovers, as well as both used and new dealership vehicles.
Benefits:
This option is cost-effective because the load is shared, and it’s widely available on most routes. It also allows for faster scheduling compared to less common transport methods. Overall, it’s the most affordable choice among all options for open-deck car haulers.
2. Wedge Trailers (3 to 4 Vehicles)
Wedge trailers sit low to the ground with a stepped or angled deck.
Best for:
- Shorter routes
- Rural drop-offs
Markets with limited urban access
Advantages:
- Great maneuverability
- Faster loading and unloading
- Perfect for tight neighborhoods where large haulers cannot enter
These trailers are ideal when navigating suburban or rural locations.
3. Single-Car Open Flatbeds
A single-vehicle flatbed provides dedicated transport for one car.
This option is useful for non-running vehicles, oversized or modified cars, and customers who need rush or priority service. One of the significant benefits is the speed of pickup and delivery that can be personalized because the routing is done by a carrier who is dedicated to only one customer.
While flatbeds cost more than multi-car haulers, they are the ones that are mostly used when the conditions are that speed or special handling is required.
The Method of Picking the Most Suitable Open-Deck Car Haulers
The proper open-deck car haulers option selection depends on a necessity, the kind of a vehicle, and the time of the delivery.
Most important things to think about:
1. Your Budget
Open multi-car haulers are the most affordable. If saving money is your main concern, then this is the optimal way.
2. Vehicle Type
- Big SUVs and lifted trucks may have to go in wedge trailers.
- Regular sedans and crossovers can be loaded without a problem in multi-car carriers.
- Cars that are not running or have low ground clearance can be transported in a flatbed.
3. Delivery Speed
The single-vehicle flatbed is generally the quickest way to get your car.
Multi-car haulers have longer transit times by a few minutes due to more stops.
4. Pickup and Drop-Off Location
Wedge trailers or flatbeds might be required for narrow streets, gated communities, or rural roads.
Car-Transport.org helps customers figure out the best fit depending on their location and accessibility.
Pros and Cons of Open-Deck Car Transport
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of open-deck carriers is one of the ways to establish the right level of expectations.
Pros:
- Lowest transport cost
- Highest availability nationwide
- Suitable for 90% of vehicles
- Easy scheduling
- Provides professional handling and securing
Cons:
- Exposure to elements like weather, road dust, and sun
- Multi-car scheduling may cause the routes to be a little bit longer
- It is not a good option for luxury, exotic, or collector type vehicles
In case you have a high-end car, it might be better to go with enclosed shipping.
How Open-Deck Car Haulers Keep Your Car Safe
Open haulers are not covered, but they are still safe because of:
- Professional tie-down systems
- Multi-point inspection before and after transport
- FMCSA safety compliance
- Experienced, licensed drivers
- Secure loading methods
Cars get there without any trouble as a result of the proper usage of industry-standard loading angles and hydraulic systems by the carriers which are meant to avoid the damaging of the frame or undercarriage.
Why Open-Deck Transport Is the Most Popular Option Nationwide
Most customers choose open-deck shipping because it provides the right balance of affordability, reliability, and accessibility.
The advantages consist of extensive route coverage, a carrier being available quite frequently, and a lower influence of the fuel price, thus this variant is a reasonable one for a great number of customers. This is the best option for regular vehicles of the consumers and, as a rule, there are less waiting times for the dispatch because carriers seldom do not operate in this way.
Why Choose Car-Transport.org for Open-Deck Car Shipping?
When reviewing options for open-deck car haulers, choosing an experienced shipping partner ensures safety, transparency, and on-time delivery.
Our advantage includes:
- Open deck carriers that are licensed and insured
- Pickup and delivery available everywhere in the US
- Pricing that is fair and transparent
- Service that is as close to the door as possible
- Tracking that is dependable and up-to-date Communication that is reliable
- Choices of multi-car, wedge, and flatbed haulers
We do not follow the vehicle type or the distance to link customers with the solution that is the most efficient and least expensive.
Final Thoughts
It is through looking at the various open-deck car haulers that you make a choice of the safest, cheapest, and most efficient way to transport your car. Whatever be your decision: a multi-car hauler for low-cost shipping, a wedge trailer for simple handling, or a dedicated flatbed for fast delivery, open-deck transport remains the dominant method in the auto shipping industry.
With Car-Transport.org, you find the best carriers, transparent prices, and the assistance of professionals, thus making your transport go smoothly, it is dependable, and you experience no stress from the beginning to the end.
