Lifted Truck, Van and Oversized Vehicle Shipping

What counts as oversized on a car carrier

A typical two-level open carrier is built to stay under the legal 13 feet 6 inches of overall height with cars on both decks. Every position has a height limit, a length limit and a weight limit, and they are not all the same. A vehicle becomes a problem when it only fits in one or two positions on the truck. The usual triggers are:

• Height above roughly 7 feet: lifted trucks, high-roof vans, trucks with racks or tents.
• Length above roughly 20 feet: crew-cab long-bed pickups, stretched limousines, extended vans.
• Width beyond a normal pickup: dually rear axles, wide fender flares, side steps that cannot be folded.
• Weight above roughly 5,000 pounds: three-quarter and one-ton trucks, armored vehicles, work vans loaded with equipment.

None of these makes the vehicle impossible to ship. They just narrow the pool of carriers that can take it on a given day, which affects both the price and how quickly a driver is assigned.

Vehicles we regularly arrange transport for

• Lifted trucks and SUVs, including those on oversized tires.
• Dually pickups, crew-cab long-beds and trucks with service bodies.
• Cargo vans, high-roof vans and camper van conversions.
• Limousines, hearses and other stretched vehicles.
• Passenger vans and shuttle buses within car-carrier limits.
• Vehicles with roof racks, light bars, winches, brush guards or roof tents.

Anything larger than this, such as box trucks, full-size buses or construction equipment, moves on flatbed, step-deck or lowboy trailers through our heavy equipment shipping service.

Measurements we need before dispatch

1. Overall height from the ground to the highest fixed point, including racks, light bars and antennas that do not fold.
2. Overall length bumper to bumper, including hitches, bumpers and bed extenders.
3. Overall width at the widest point, usually the mirrors or dually fenders.
4. Curb weight plus anything heavy left in the bed or cargo area.
5. Modifications such as lift height and tire size.

A tape measure and five minutes now prevents the most common oversized-vehicle problem: a driver arriving, finding the truck is taller than booked, and having to leave without it. Under our terms, pricing can change if the information provided turns out to be inaccurate, so measuring carefully protects your quote.

Open carrier, flatbed or step-deck?

Most lifted trucks and duallies still ship on open car carriers, in a top-deck or rear position with the right clearance. Enclosed transport is possible for some taller vehicles but is limited by the trailer’s interior height. Very tall or very heavy vehicles move on a flatbed or step-deck, often as the only vehicle on the trailer, which changes the pricing model from a per-position rate to a dedicated-truck rate. We will tell you which applies when you give us the dimensions.

Preparing an oversized vehicle for pickup

• Remove or lower anything that adds height and is removable: roof boxes, tents, bike racks, antennas.
• Fold mirrors and side steps where possible.
• Empty the bed and cargo area. Tools and equipment add weight and are not insured as personal items.
• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
• Photograph the vehicle from all sides, including the roof line and underside of the lift if you can.
• Make sure the vehicle starts, rolls and steers. If it does not, see inoperable vehicle shipping.

How to get an accurate quote

Start with the instant calculator using the correct year, make and model, then call (208) 500-0400 with the measurements if the vehicle is lifted, stretched or carrying accessories. We would rather confirm the right trailer before dispatch than have a driver turn up with the wrong one.