What Is Enclosed Vehicle Transport?

How enclosed transport works

Enclosed transporters are specialist trailers — typically single-deck or double-deck rigs with fully enclosed, hard walls and roofs. The vehicle is driven or winched up a hydraulic ramp, secured with soft straps at the wheels (never the axles or chassis), and the trailer is sealed for transit.

A good enclosed operator will use liftgates rather than steep ramps for low-clearance cars, carry wheel skates for non-runners, and photograph the vehicle at collection and delivery. The vehicle is never exposed to road spray, stone chips, birds, tree sap, or prying eyes.

Which vehicles are suited to enclosed transport?

Enclosed is the default for anything where the cost of damage exceeds the cost saving of open transport. That includes:

• Classic and vintage cars — original paint, fragile trim, and irreplaceable components.
• Prestige and supercars — Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, and similar.
• Modified vehicles — lowered ride height, custom paint, wide body, or non-standard dimensions.
• Mileage-sensitive cars — low-mileage originals, concours entries, lease vehicles near the mileage cap, and limited editions where every mile affects value.
• Non-runners— vehicles that don’t start or roll. Enclosed rigs are typically better equipped with winches, skates, and low-clearance loading.
• Show and concours entries — where a single stone chip or bird strike rules out competition.

Enclosed vs open transport

Open transport is cheaper and suits standard vehicles on short-to-medium routes. Enclosed transport costs more but delivers four things open transport can’t:

1. Full weather and debris protection.
2. Privacy — the vehicle isn’t visible in transit.
3. Specialist loading equipment as standard (liftgates, skates, winches).
4. Typically lower vehicle count per trailer, so shorter multi-drop routes.

If you’re comparing the two, see our open vehicle transport guide for the other side.

What does enclosed transport cost?

Cost depends on distance, vehicle dimensions, route availability, and timing. Every job is different, and factors like vehicle size, access, timing, and route all affect the final price — costs can vary considerably depending on the specific requirements of your movement. We give fixed, all-in quotes so you know exactly what you’re paying before anything is booked.

What to expect on the day

1. Pre-collection call. The driver calls 30–60 minutes before arrival to confirm access.
2. Condition report. A walk-around with photos at collection, noting any existing marks.
3. Loading. Liftgate or low-angle ramp — no scraping, no chassis tie-downs.
4. Transit. Vehicle stays sealed inside. You’ll get an ETA update en route.
5. Delivery. Second walk-around, signed delivery note, keys handed over.