How Does a Car Transporter Work?

January 31, 2025

Transporting vehicles from one place to another requires precision, care, and, most importantly, the right car transporter.

Car transporters are essential for moving cars safely, especially when they need to be transported long distances, between dealers, or to races. Whether it’s transporting high-end luxury cars, classic cars or race cars, choosing the right car transporter is an absolute must.

At AKFS Special Vehicles, we have a range of Car Transporters for sale that are suitable for getting a wide range of cars from A to B safely and damage free. So, whether you work for a car dealership, an auctioneer, a manufacturer or a rescue service, we’re here to help you find the perfect car transporter for your business’ needs.

What is a Car Transporter?

A Car Transporter is a specialised vehicle designed to transport cars safely and efficiently. These vehicles are purpose-built to carry cars and can be either open or enclosed. These specialist vehicles are typically used by businesses in the car sales industry, recovery services, and racing teams. The primary function of a car transporter is to ensure that the vehicle being transported is secure, protected and delivered to its destination without damage.

We have a range of different car transporters available, with options varying in size, design, and features. Some car transporters are designed for transporting standard cars, whilst others are engineered specifically for luxury and race cars. At AKFS, our range of vehicles, such as our Enclosed Car Transporters, are equipped with specialised features to protect even the most rare cars during transport.

How Does a Car Transporter Work?

At the heart of every car transporter is a robust chassis that’s designed to carry the weight of different vehicles. Car transporters are typically built to handle varying payloads and to ensure stability while on the road. These special vehicles function by loading the cars onto a flatbed or enclosed section of the vehicle. Once on the transporter, the cars are then secured to prevent movement during transit.

For instance, transporters like our Iveco Daily Crew Cab Car Transporter are designed with an exceptional build quality, offering a heavy-duty chassis cab that can handle even the most demanding recovery tasks.

The way a car transporter functions also depends on the type of transporter. For example, enclosed car transporters, such as the AKFS Mercedes Atego Enclosed Vehicle Transporter, provide the added benefit of fully enclosing the vehicle, providing protection against weather elements, road debris, and dust. This is particularly useful for transporting high-value cars, such as luxury vehicles, ensuring they reach their destination in the pristine condition they left in.

Are you looking for enclosed car transporters for sale in the UK? Explore our range of Car Transporters today!

How Do Car Transporters Load and Unload Cars?

Loading and unloading cars is an important aspect of how a car transporter works. The process must be executed carefully to prevent any damage to the vehicle, especially if the car is a luxury model or race car.

Car transporters, like the AKFS Ultra® Single Car Transporter, are equipped with ramps for easy loading and unloading. These ramps are designed with an angled incline to provide smooth access for vehicles to drive onto the transporter. In some cases, especially when recovering vehicles, the loading process might also involve using a winch system, which is a mechanical tool that can slowly pull the car up the ramp, ensuring it stays in control throughout the process.

Our Mercedes Atego Enclosed Vehicle Transporter includes shallow angle loading ramps and a hydraulic tailgate, which makes loading and unloading easier and safer than alternatives. For luxury vehicles which are much lower clearance than other vehicles, the shallow angle loading ramps ensure vehicles can be safely loaded, without risking any damage. We also have the Iveco Daily Crew Cab Car Transporter, which has aluminium load-certified ramps that are stowed within the body, adding to the convenience and safety of loading.

When unloading, especially for cars that are secured tightly or have a low clearance, transporters may have systems that assist in safely moving the vehicle off the transporter without risking damage to its bodywork. It’s for this reason that having a transporter specifically designed for certain car types is so important — it helps to ensure the vehicle is unloaded as safely as it was loaded.

Are Car Transporters Safe?

As with any vehicle, safety is one of the most important considerations when choosing a car transporter. A good-quality transporter will protect both the vehicle and the driver during transit. AKFS’ range of Car Transporters has been designed to prioritise safety features to prevent accidents and avoid damage to vehicles.

One of the main ways car transporters ensure safety is by securing the vehicle properly. This is achieved through tie-downs and various other securing systems. The AKFS Ultra® Recovery Transporter is equipped with a recessed winch system to securely load and unload cars and motorcycles, especially for recovery situations. This makes it an ideal choice for both light and heavy-duty vehicles, ensuring stability throughout the journey.

Beyond securing the vehicle, safety for the driver and other road users is equally important. Features such as rear parking sensors, work lights, and LED compact light bars on our Iveco Daily Crew Cab Car Transporter are designed to make driving safer in various conditions. These additional features are added by the AKFS Special Vehicles team to help to improve visibility and ensure that the driver has clear sightlines, even when maneuvering the vehicle at night or in low-light conditions.

Which Car Transporter is Best for Preventing Vehicle Damage?

When transporting cars, especially race cars and classic vehicles, preventing damage is a priority. Our Mercedes Atego Enclosed Vehicle Transporter stands out as one of the best options for preventing damage during transport. With its enclosed design, it shields the car from harsh weather, road debris, and other potential hazards that can affect your car’s paint. It also offers a shallow angle loading system, which is gentler on the vehicle during loading and unloading.

For those looking for a more versatile option, the AKFS Ultra® Single Car Transporter is another excellent choice. The vehicle is built with a lightweight chassis and torsion bar rear suspension to provide better driving characteristics when loaded or unloaded, reducing the risk of jolts or bumps that could lead to damage. Its customisability allows it to meet the specific needs of the car being transported, ensuring that damage is minimised.

As an alternative, the AKFS Covered Vehicle Transporter offers a skeletal frame design with fully enclosed sides that shield vehicles from road exposure. The vehicle features a recessed winch system for safe loading and unloading, which adds another layer of security in preventing potential damage to vehicles in transit.

Which Car Transporters are Best for Luxury Vehicles?

Luxury vehicles require extra care and protection during transport. When moving cars like Bentleys, Ferraris, or high-end electric vehicles, it’s essential to choose a car transporter that offers secure, enclosed transport to avoid any risk of damage or exposure to the elements.

If this sounds like something your business needs, then the AKFS Mercedes Atego Enclosed Vehicle Transporter is an excellent choice, due to its fully enclosed body and advanced design. This model provides maximum protection from the outside environment and ensures that the car is secure throughout the journey. From the quality materials used in the design, to the extensive safety features make this an excellent choice for businesses regularly transporting luxury vehicles.

For those looking for a high-performance car race transporter, the AKFS Covered Vehicle Transporter is an excellent option, offering unmatched durability and performance to keep these special vehicles safe. With a sturdy galvanised frame, the Enclosed Vehicle Transporter is another fantastic choice too.

Discover AKFS Special Vehicles’ Range of Car Transporters for Sale in the UK

Car transporters are essential vehicles that ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable transportation of cars across varying distances. Whether you are transporting luxury vehicles between dealerships, cars to races or running a recovery service, choosing the right car transporter for your business’ fleet is essential to maintaining the quality and safety of the vehicles being transported.

AKFS Special Vehicles provides a variety of options for sale in the UK, from Enclosed Car Transporters to Covered Car Transporters, each tailored to different transportation needs. With over 30 years of experience, we understand the importance of reliability and durability, so our car transporters are the ideal choice for anyone in need of a safe, efficient vehicle transport solution.