Specialty Transport
How to Ship a Pickup Truck: Lifted Trucks, Duallies and Long Beds
Shipping a pickup truck across the country: what to tell the carrier about lifts, duallies and long beds, why trucks cost more to ship, and how to prep the bed.
People buy pickup trucks out of state, move with them, and send work trucks to job sites, and we haul pickups regularly. But a truck isn't a sedan, and a few things change when you ship one.
Why trucks cost more to ship
Two reasons: weight and size. A full-size or heavy-duty pickup weighs a lot more than a car and takes up more trailer space. That means:
- Larger trailers. Some trucks need a bigger trailer than a typical car would.
- Sometimes a flatbed. Very tall, wide or heavy trucks may ride on a flatbed instead of a car carrier.
- Fewer vehicles per load. A truck can take the room of more than one car on a carrier.
That's why a truck usually costs more to ship than a car on the same route. You get the number in writing before you book.
What to tell the carrier
The more exact you are, the better the quote and the smoother the pickup. When you request a quote, include:
- Year, make and model, plus trim (an F-150 and an F-350 dually are very different loads).
- Cab and bed: regular, extended or crew cab; short, standard or long bed.
- Dually or single rear wheels.
- Lift or leveling kit, with the lift height and tire size.
- Add-ons: ladder racks, toppers, tonneau covers, light bars, oversized bumpers, winches or a fifth-wheel hitch.
- Whether it runs. A non-running truck needs a different plan.
A truck that shows up taller or wider than described may not fit the trailer that was sent, and that can delay your pickup.
Lifted trucks
Lifted trucks ship all the time, but height is the question. Every trailer has height limits, and the top deck of a car carrier has less room than the bottom. Give us the lift height and tire size up front, and dispatch matches the truck to a trailer that fits, which may mean a larger trailer or a flatbed.
Duallies and heavy-duty trucks
Dually rear wheels make the truck wider, and heavy-duty pickups are heavy. Both are routine, as long as the carrier knows ahead of time and assigns the right trailer.
Prep the truck
- Empty the bed. Tools, toolboxes, spare tires, firewood, all of it. Anything loose can blow out on the highway.
- Secure or remove add-ons. Fold down or remove ladder racks if you can. Make sure toppers and tonneau covers are latched.
- Keep personal items light. Our agreement allows up to 100 lbs of personal items inside the cab, below the windows, at your own risk, and never loose in the bed. They aren't covered by cargo insurance.
- Leave about a quarter tank. Enough to load and unload, without extra weight.
- Note existing damage. Walk around with the driver at pickup. Our pre-shipment checklist covers the inspection.
Buying a truck out of state?
Texas, the Southwest and the Mountain West have deep used truck markets, and lots of Midwest buyers shop them online. Get the shipping quote before you pay, so you know the full cost of the deal. Our own trucks run Texas to Indiana every week, and we ship anywhere in the lower 48. More on buying from a distance in shipping a car you bought online.
The bottom line
Trucks ship all the time. Describe yours exactly, especially any lift, dually or add-ons, empty the bed, and expect the quote to reflect the extra size and weight. Request a quote with your truck's details and we'll match it to the right trailer.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ship a lifted truck?
Yes. Tell us the lift height and tire size when you book. Depending on the height, a lifted truck may need a larger trailer or a flatbed, and dispatch confirms the setup before pickup.
Why does it cost more to ship a truck than a car?
Trucks weigh more and take up more space, so they need larger trailers, and sometimes a flatbed, and fewer vehicles fit on a load. That's reflected in the quote, which you get in writing before you book.
Can I leave things in the truck bed?
No. The bed should be empty, because loose items can blow out on the highway. Our agreement allows up to 100 lbs of personal items inside the cab, below the windows, at your own risk.
Do you ship dually trucks and heavy-duty pickups?
Yes. Duallies and heavy-duty pickups ship regularly. Tell us it's a dually when you book so the right trailer is assigned.
How long does it take to ship a pickup truck?
The same as a car on the same route. Once loaded, most trips take one to ten days depending on distance.
