Quick answer: Top load, or “top load only”, means your car must ride on the upper deck of a two-level open car carrier, with no other vehicle parked above it. That keeps it clear of drips from other cars and away from most road spray. Top load car shipping costs a small premium over standard open transport, shown on your quote, and much less than enclosed transport.
You will see “top load” on quotes and booking forms, and it is easy to miss what it changes. This guide explains what top load means, when it is worth paying for, which cars can and cannot go on the top deck, what to do before your car is loaded, and how drivers load and secure cars safely.
What Does “Top Load Only” Mean?
Most open car carriers have two levels. Without any special request, the driver decides where each car goes, based on the weight balance of the truck and the order of drop-offs along the route. Your car could end up on the top deck or the bottom deck.
“Top load only” is an instruction that your car must go on the upper deck. When you book top load, it is added to the dispatch notes for the carrier, so the driver plans the load around it. It is still open transport, so your car is exposed to the weather, but it rides above the other cars rather than below them.
Why the Top Deck Is Better
- No drips from above. On the bottom deck, a car sits under another vehicle. If that car leaks oil, coolant or brake fluid, it can drip onto yours. On the top deck, nothing is parked above you.
- Less road spray and debris. The lower deck is closer to the road, where water, grit and small stones thrown up by the truck’s tires and passing traffic are more likely to reach the car.
- Close to the open price. It removes the two most common open-carrier worries for a small premium, much less than enclosed.
Top Load vs Standard Open vs Enclosed
| Standard open | Top load | Enclosed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck position | Top or bottom, driver’s choice | Upper deck only | Inside a covered trailer |
| Drips from other cars | Possible on the bottom deck | No car above yours | No |
| Road spray and stones | Some, more on the bottom deck | Less | None |
| Weather | Exposed | Exposed | Protected |
| Cost | Lowest | A small premium over open | Usually 40 to 60 percent more than open |
| Availability | Most trucks | Most open trucks, though top spots are limited | Fewer trucks, can take longer to book |
| Best for | Everyday cars | Newer cars, fresh paint, show-ready cars on a budget | Classic, exotic and very high-value cars |
For a fuller comparison of every carrier type, see our guide to the types of car carriers.
When Is Top Load Worth It?
Top load makes sense when a drip or stone chip would cost more to fix than the premium, but enclosed transport is more than you want to spend. That usually means:
- A new or low-mileage car
- Fresh paint, a ceramic coating or a wrap
- A soft-top convertible, where fluid on the roof is hard to clean
- A car you are selling, delivering to a buyer or taking to a show
- A light-colored car, where oil spots show easily
For an older daily driver, standard open transport is usually fine. For a classic, an exotic or a car worth well into six figures, enclosed transport is the safer choice. Our car shipping cost guide has typical open and enclosed prices by distance.
Can Any Car Be Top Loaded?
Not always. The upper deck has weight and height limits, and the whole truck has to stay under the legal height for the road. Things that can rule out the top deck include:
- Heavy vehicles, such as full-size pickups, large SUVs and some electric vehicles
- Tall vehicles, such as lifted trucks, high-roof vans and vehicles with roof racks
- Cars that do not run, which are harder to winch onto an upper deck
- Very low cars, which may need extra ramp extensions to load without scraping
Tell the company your exact make and model, and any modifications, when you book. They can confirm whether top load is possible for your car before you commit.
What Should Be Done Before Loading a Vehicle?
Whether your car goes on the top deck or the bottom, prepare it the same way:
- Wash it so existing scratches and chips are easy to see.
- Photograph it from every side, plus the wheels, roof and odometer, with the date showing.
- Check for leaks. A leaking car can be refused, and on the top deck it would drip on the car below.
- Check tire pressure and the battery so the car can be driven up the ramps.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank.
- Remove personal items and toll tags. See what you can leave in your car.
- Fold the mirrors and retract the antenna, and remove roof racks if you can.
- Disable the alarm, or leave clear instructions for the driver.
- Tell the company about modifications, such as a lowered suspension or a lift kit.
Our 10-step car shipping checklist covers each step in more detail.
How Drivers Load a Car Onto the Top Deck
Loading is the driver’s job, but it helps to know what a careful load looks like:
- Level ground. The truck parks on a flat, firm surface so nothing can roll.
- Ramps and decks set. Most modern carriers have hydraulic decks that tilt or lower to make a ramp up to the top level. The ramps must be locked in place at a gentle angle.
- Slow, steady drive. The driver drives the car up at a crawl, without sudden throttle or braking, often with someone on the ground guiding the wheels onto the ramps.
- Centered on the deck. The car is lined up in the middle of the deck so the truck’s weight stays balanced.
- Secured at all four corners. Most carriers use wheel straps over the tires, or chains hooked into the factory tie-down slots under the car. Straps should not run over body panels or around suspension parts.
- Final check. The driver checks every strap, makes sure the car cannot move and confirms there is clearance between the car and the deck above or the trailer frame.
Federal rules also require drivers to recheck their load within the first 50 miles of a trip and regularly after that.
How Loading Differs on an Enclosed Carrier
Enclosed trailers often use a hydraulic liftgate instead of ramps, which lifts the car level so low cars do not scrape. Drivers usually use soft straps over the tires and may add ramp extensions or wheel chocks. Our page on enclosed auto transport explains when it is worth it.
Top Load for Specific Cars
- Soft-top convertibles. Fluid on a fabric roof can stain it, so the top deck is worth it. Make sure the roof is closed and latched, and consider enclosed transport for a vintage convertible.
- Lowered and sports cars. A steep ramp up to the top deck can scrape a low front splitter. Tell the company the ground clearance; a liftgate on an enclosed trailer may be the better option.
- Electric vehicles. Their weight can rule out the top deck on some trucks, so confirm before you book. See how to ship an electric car.
- Light-colored and freshly detailed cars. Small oil or coolant spots show clearly, which makes the top deck worth the small premium.
Is the Bottom Deck Unsafe?
No. Most cars ride on the bottom deck at some point and arrive in the same condition they left. Carriers check for leaks at pickup, and serious damage on either deck is uncommon. Top load is about reducing small, annoying risks, such as a drip on the paint or extra road grime, not about avoiding a dangerous position. If those small risks do not bother you for your car, standard open transport is the better value.
Checking Your Car at Delivery
When your car arrives, check that it came off the top deck if you paid for top load, then inspect it before you sign. Look closely at the roof, hood and windshield for spots, drips or chips, as well as the usual walk-around of every panel and wheel. Compare what you see with your photos and the bill of lading from pickup, and write any new damage on the bill of lading while the driver is there. Our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup and delivery has a full checklist.
How to Book Top Load
- Ask for top load when you request your quote, so it is priced from the start.
- Make sure “top load only” is written into your booking and the carrier’s dispatch notes.
- Remind the driver when they call before pickup, and check where your car is placed before you sign the bill of lading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does top load only mean?
It means your car must go on the upper deck of an open carrier, with no other vehicle parked above it. It protects against drips from other cars and reduces road spray.
Can any car be top loaded?
No. Heavy or tall vehicles, such as full-size pickups, large SUVs, lifted trucks and high-roof vans, may be too heavy or too tall for the top deck. Ask when you book.
How much more does top load cost?
A small premium over standard open transport, which depends on the route and the car. It is shown on your quote. It costs much less than enclosed, which usually runs 40 to 60 percent more than open.
Is top load the same as enclosed transport?
No. Top load is still open transport, so the car is exposed to the weather. Enclosed transport puts the car inside a covered trailer.
Is top load worth paying extra for?
For a new car, fresh paint, a convertible or a car you are selling, usually yes. For an older daily driver, standard open transport is usually enough.
What should be done prior to loading a vehicle?
Wash and photograph the car, check for leaks, check the tires and battery, run the fuel to about a quarter tank, remove personal items and toll tags, fold the mirrors and disable the alarm.
How do transporters keep cars safe during loading?
They load on level ground with locked ramps or a liftgate, drive the car on slowly with a spotter, center it, and secure all four corners with wheel straps or chains in the factory tie-down slots.
Book Top Load With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured carrier. Ask for top load when you request your quote and we will add it to the carrier’s dispatch notes and show the price on your quote. Get a free quote today. There is no deposit to book.
