You need your pickup moved and you are not sure what is different about a truck. Skip the prep and you risk loose gear flying out of an open bed or a topper that throws off the quote. Knowing how to ship a pickup truck is mostly simple, with a couple of truck-specific steps. We move pickups every week, so here is the plain playbook.
The short answer: To ship a pickup truck, clear the bed and cabin, leave about a quarter tank, fold the mirrors, and disclose any topper or rack that adds height. Open transport is the standard, value choice, and the driver secures the truck by the wheels. A lift or oversized tires change the measurement and may add a premium.
Shipping a pickup is mostly the same as shipping a car, with a few truck-specific steps. Clear it out, handle the accessories, pick open transport, and let the driver secure it right. Get those in order and the move is simple.
This guide covers a standard pickup. For the full service and oversized builds, see our SUV and truck shipping page. Let us walk through the prep.
Empty the truck completely, bed and cabin both. Loose items are not covered by cargo insurance, and anything in an open bed can shift or fly out on the highway. Extra weight can also push you toward a limit.
An empty truck photographs cleanly too, which matters for the inspection. We tell owners to clear everything, including the glovebox clutter and bed liner debris. The only thing that stays is fixed, disclosed equipment.
The honest downside of skipping this: a lost tool or a dented panel from shifting cargo is on you, not the carrier.
Toppers, racks, and covers change the truck's dimensions. A tonneau cover can stay if secured, but a tall camper shell or a ladder rack adds height you must disclose. That height counts toward the trailer's clearance.
Remove easily detachable items like a light bar or a roof rack. Report anything that stays. We tell owners that a topper is the most common thing that quietly turns a standard quote into an oversized one, so measure with it on if it is staying. Our guide on a lifted or modified truck covers the measurement in depth.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel — enough to load and reposition, not extra weight. Fold the mirrors if they fold, and retract or remove a tall antenna, since both can catch during loading on a packed trailer.
Photograph the truck from every angle before pickup, with timestamps. Note any existing damage on the bill of lading. We tell owners these small steps lower the risk of a minor scuff and settle any dispute fast.
Open transport is the standard and value choice for nearly every pickup. The truck rides exposed, the same as a new truck delivered to a dealer, and open carriers run more routes for less money.
Enclosed suits a show truck, a wrapped build, or a high-value collectible. For a daily or work truck, it is overkill. This is the same call every shipper faces, so compare the two on our open car transport page rather than rebuilding it here.
The driver secures a pickup by the wheels, with straps over the tires, not by the frame or axles. Wheel straps let the suspension move naturally and avoid stressing components. It is the safe, standard method.
Mention any suspension quirk or aftermarket part so the driver knows where it is safe to position and strap. We tell owners that a quick note about a lift, air suspension, or a low front lip helps the driver plan the load and avoid a scrape.
A pickup costs a little more than a car because of size and weight, with distance setting the base. A typical move lands around [INSERT RATE]. A heavy-duty or diesel dually sits at the top tier for its weight.
Transit follows distance, not vehicle type, so a big truck does not travel slower. Our guide on how much it costs breaks down the pricing, and you can compare an SUV in our guide on shipping an SUV. Price your exact truck on the calculator and verify any carrier with our FMCSA lookup.
Skip the averages. Our calculator pulls live diesel prices and real Google Maps distance for an actual price range on your exact route and vehicle — no spam, no obligation.
Calculate My Costor talk to a dispatcher: 1-888-706-8784
Yes, clear the bed and cabin completely. Loose items are not covered by cargo insurance and can shift, fly out of an open bed, or add weight that pushes you toward a limit. We tell owners that an empty truck also shows its true condition in the inspection photos, which protects you at delivery.
By the wheels, with straps over the tires, not by the frame or axles. Wheel straps let the suspension move naturally and avoid stressing components. We tell owners to mention any suspension quirk or aftermarket part, so the driver knows where it is safe to position and secure the truck.
You can leave a tonneau cover on if it is secured, but a tall topper adds height you must disclose. A camper shell can nudge the truck toward an oversized measurement. We tell owners to report anything that stays on, so the quote and trailer match the truck that actually shows up.
About a quarter tank. That is enough for the driver to load and reposition the truck without carrying extra weight. A full tank adds pounds across a heavy vehicle, which the carrier does not need. We tell owners a quarter tank is the sweet spot for any vehicle, trucks included.
Yes, open transport is the standard and value choice for nearly every pickup. The truck rides exposed, the same as a new truck delivered to a dealer. We reserve enclosed for a show truck, a wrapped build, or a high-value collectible. For a daily or work truck, open is plenty.
Yes, but a lift changes the measurement and may add a premium. A modest daily-driver lift usually ships open with the right trailer position. A tall build needs careful measuring. We tell owners with any lift to read our oversized-truck guide first, so the quote is right the first time.
Where possible, yes. Retract or remove a tall antenna and fold the mirrors if they fold, since both can catch during loading on a packed trailer. We tell owners these small steps lower the risk of a minor scuff. Anything that cannot be removed should be noted for the driver.
A photo ID, the booking details, and the signed bill of lading at pickup and delivery. You do not need the title in hand for domestic transport. We tell owners to photograph the truck from every angle before pickup and to note any existing damage on the bill of lading before signing.
Yes, but disclose them, because a ladder rack adds height and a toolbox adds weight. Empty the toolbox, since the contents are not covered. We tell owners that fixed work equipment is fine to leave on as long as it is measured and reported, so the load is planned correctly.
Not really for transport, beyond the weight. A diesel pickup is often heavier, which can nudge the price, and a heavy-duty diesel dually sits at the top tier. We tell owners to give the exact model so the quote reflects the real weight, but the prep and method are the same as any pickup.
Tell us where you're shipping — we'll handle the rest. No obligation, no hidden fees.