Quick answer: A flatbed is an open, single-level deck, usually a rollback tow truck or a flatbed trailer that carries one or a few vehicles. An enclosed carrier is a covered trailer that carries 3 to 6 cars out of the weather. Choose a flatbed for short moves within a state, non-running cars and tall or oversized vehicles. Choose enclosed auto transport for classics, exotics and fresh paint, especially on long routes. For most everyday cars on long interstate moves, the standard choice is neither: it is an open multi-car carrier.
People often use “flatbed” to mean any open car hauler, but in car shipping the three options are different trucks. This guide explains what a flatbed and an enclosed carrier are, how they compare on protection, cost, vehicle size and loading, when each one makes sense, and where the standard open carrier fits in. For all the carrier types side by side, see our guide to types of car carriers.
Flatbed vs Enclosed vs Open Carrier at a Glance
| Flatbed | Standard open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A single flat deck, often a rollback tow truck or a flatbed trailer | A two-level open trailer | A covered trailer, soft-sided or hard-sided |
| Vehicles per load | One or a few | Up to 9 | 3 to 6 |
| Protection | Open to weather and road debris | Open to weather and road debris | Covered from rain, sun, dust and stone chips |
| Loading | Low deck or tilting bed; easy to winch a car on | Ramps | Ramps, or a lift gate on many trailers |
| Best for | Short in-state moves, non-running cars, tall or wide vehicles | Most everyday cars on long routes | Classics, exotics, low cars and fresh paint |
| How ABC uses it | Shorter distances within a state | Long-distance and out-of-state moves | Long-distance and out-of-state moves for high-value cars |
What Is a Flatbed Car Carrier?
A flatbed carrier has one flat, open deck with no roof or sides. The most common type for a single car is a rollback, a tow truck whose bed tilts down to the ground so a car can be driven or winched on at a gentle angle. Larger flatbed trailers pulled by a pickup or semi can take a few vehicles on one level.
Because the deck sits low and flat, a flatbed is the easiest truck to load a car that does not run, has low ground clearance or will not fit in a standard carrier slot. Because it is small, it can also reach streets and driveways that a 75 to 80 foot car carrier cannot. The trade-off is that it carries few vehicles, so on long routes the cost is spread across fewer cars, and the car rides open to the weather.
ABC Auto Shipping uses flatbed trucks for shorter distances within a state, and open and enclosed car carrier trucks for long-distance and out-of-state moves.
What Is an Enclosed Car Carrier?
An enclosed carrier is a trailer with walls and a roof, so the car rides out of the rain, sun, road salt and stone chips, and out of sight. Soft-sided trailers have heavy fabric walls on a steel frame; hard-sided trailers have solid metal walls and give the most protection from impact. An enclosed trailer usually carries 3 to 6 cars, compared with up to 9 on a standard open carrier.
Many enclosed trailers have hydraulic lift gates, which raise a low car into the trailer with no ramp angle, and collector car loads at ABC use soft tie-downs that loop around the tires. Climate control is available for cars with original leather and wood on long routes. Enclosed transport usually costs 40 to 60% more than open transport on the same route. See the benefits of enclosed transport for more.
Flatbed vs Enclosed: Key Differences
Protection
A flatbed leaves the car exposed to weather and road debris, much like a standard open carrier. An enclosed trailer shields it from both. On a short local move, the exposure on a flatbed is brief. On a long route through rain, hail or road salt, the difference matters more.
Cost
Enclosed transport usually costs 40 to 60% more than open transport. On a $1,200 cross-country open move, that is roughly $500 to $700 more. Flatbed pricing depends on the job. For a short move within a state, a flatbed can be the simplest option. Over long distances, a flatbed carrying one car shares its fuel and driver costs with fewer vehicles than a multi-car carrier, so it is rarely the cheapest way to go far. A vehicle that needs special permits or a dedicated truck costs more on any trailer. Your quote shows the price for your route.
Vehicle size and type
An enclosed trailer limits how tall and wide a vehicle can be, so a lifted truck, a tall van or a vehicle with a roof rack may not fit. A flatbed has no roof, so it takes taller vehicles, though every load still has to stay within road limits. Federal rules cap vehicle width at 102 inches on the National Network, and states set height limits, which range from 13.6 to 14.6 feet, according to the Federal Highway Administration. A load wider or taller than the limits generally needs a special permit. Always give the company your vehicle’s exact make, model and any modifications when you ask for a quote.
Loading
A flatbed’s low deck or tilting bed makes it easy to winch on a car that will not drive. An enclosed trailer uses ramps, or a lift gate for a low car, and is the better choice when a scrape on a splitter or exhaust is the main risk.
Distance and availability
Flatbeds are best suited to short and regional moves. Enclosed trucks run long-distance routes but are fewer than open carriers, so book them earlier, especially in summer and around the big collector car auctions in January, March and August.
When a Flatbed Makes Sense
- Short moves within a state. A single truck goes straight from pickup to delivery, without the stops a multi-car carrier makes for other vehicles.
- Cars that do not run. A tilting bed or low deck and a winch make loading a non-running car straightforward.
- Tall or oversized vehicles. Lifted trucks and vehicles too tall for an enclosed trailer or a standard carrier slot can often ride on a flatbed.
- Tight pickup locations. A rollback is far smaller than a 75 to 80 foot car carrier, so it can reach some narrow streets and driveways a big rig cannot.
- Project cars and recent purchases nearby, such as a car bought from a local seller or an auction yard in your state.
When Enclosed Is the Better Choice
- Classic, collector and exotic cars. See how to ship a classic car.
- Any car worth $50,000 or more, or one you would not drive through a hailstorm
- Low-clearance cars that need a lift gate
- Fresh paint, a ceramic coating or a wrap
- Long routes through winter weather, road salt or hail season
- Show cars heading to an event, where the car must arrive clean
Where the Standard Open Carrier Fits In
For a typical car on a long interstate move, the usual choice is a standard two-level open carrier. It carries up to 9 vehicles, which spreads the cost, and there are far more of them on the road, so pickup is easier to schedule. Your car is exposed to the weather, just as it would be on a flatbed. If you want your car on the upper deck, where nothing can drip on it, ask about top load service. Our car shipping cost guide has typical open and enclosed prices by distance.
Is Flatbed Transport Good for Non-Running Cars?
Yes. A flatbed’s low deck or tilting bed is the easiest way to load a car that will not start or drive, and a winch pulls it on. Tell the company the car does not run when you book, and whether it rolls, steers and brakes, so they send the right truck. A car that cannot roll at all may need a forklift. Non-running cars cost more to ship than running ones, and the extra is shown on your quote. For longer moves, an open or enclosed carrier with a winch can also take a non-running car. See how to ship a non-running car.
How to Choose Between Flatbed and Enclosed
| If your situation is… | Usually choose |
|---|---|
| A short move within your state | Flatbed |
| A car that does not run, moving locally | Flatbed |
| A lifted truck or tall vehicle | Flatbed or open carrier; ask before booking enclosed |
| An everyday car moving across the country | Standard open carrier |
| A classic, exotic or car worth $50,000 or more | Enclosed |
| A low car with a front splitter or lowered suspension | Enclosed with a lift gate |
| Fresh paint or a show car | Enclosed |
Whichever you choose, prepare the car the same way. Our 10-step car shipping checklist covers fuel, keys, photos and what to remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a flatbed and an enclosed trailer?
A flatbed is a single open deck, often a rollback tow truck, that carries one or a few vehicles and makes loading easy. An enclosed trailer is covered, carries 3 to 6 cars and protects them from weather and road debris, but limits how tall a vehicle can be.
Which costs more, flatbed or enclosed?
Enclosed usually costs 40 to 60% more than standard open transport. Flatbed pricing depends on the job: it can suit a short move within a state, but over long distances a single-car flatbed is rarely the cheapest option.
Is flatbed transport good for non-running cars?
Yes. Its low deck or tilting bed and a winch make a non-running car easy to load. Tell the company the car does not run when you book.
Is a flatbed the same as an open car carrier?
No. Both are open to the weather, but a flatbed has one level and carries one or a few vehicles, while a standard open carrier has two levels and carries up to 9.
Can a lifted truck go in an enclosed trailer?
It depends on its height. Enclosed trailers limit vehicle height, so give the company the exact model and modifications. A tall vehicle may need a flatbed or an open carrier instead.
Is a flatbed safe for long-distance car shipping?
It is safe, but the car rides open to the weather, and a flatbed carrying one car is usually a costly way to go far. For long interstate moves, ABC uses open or enclosed car carrier trucks.
Does ABC Auto Shipping offer flatbed transport?
Yes. ABC uses flatbed trucks for shorter distances within a state, and open and enclosed car carrier trucks for long-distance and out-of-state moves.
Get the Right Truck for Your Car
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed auto transport broker (USDOT 2340626, MC-797279) with over 20 years of experience and an A+ rating as a BBB Accredited Business. Tell us your vehicle, its condition and your route, and we will match it with a flatbed, open or enclosed carrier. There is no deposit, and you pay only once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote or call 877-686-5611.
