These car carriers are typically cheaper than enclosed trailers because they usually have a minimum 6 - 10 spaces to move vehicles. They are not covered so your vehicle is exposed to the elements. In regards to transit time, because there are more stops, the transit is generally longer. However, open trailers are more widely available than enclosed. Open trailers have more flexibility when it comes to certain routes due to their high demand. Open trailers are not appropriate for high end or classic vehicles.

Enclosed car carriers are more expensive than open trailers because they typically have 1 - 5 and sometimes even just one deck. Your vehicle is also covered on all sides. There are hard-side, and soft-side enclosed. Both offer optimum coverage with little to no downside. This is a premium service and the transit is quicker because there are less stops due to low space availability. Enclosed trailers are not as common as open trailers which contributes to their availability on certain routes.

Car carrier's are specially built to move autos across land. Some are customized to allow carriers more flexibility in transporting longer or custom vehicles. Typically anything over 7 feet in height is considered over sized and needs to be moved on a flatbed, step-deck, or deep well trailer.

These sorts of transport trailers do not have a second deck, unlike car carriers; which means that they can haul not only vehicles, but also over-sized vehicles and general freight. This is great for vehicles that way over 10,000 lbs. or for larger vehicles such as firetrucks, or other emergency vehicles.

These trailers do not have ramps, they are sometimes equipped with lift decks, but for the most part they move between warehouses which means they utilize dock doors. Dock doors are what you typically see behind a supermarket, or other big box store. The trucks pull in reverse and the loaders literally walk into the trailer.

Deep-well trailers are for very heavy and over-sized loads. Heavy equipment such as cranes, other freightliners, or other tall items need to be moved on these types of trailers. This is due to bridge restrictions on the highway where there is only a certain amount of clearance. Deep-well trailers help accommodate the tallest of cargo.