Can You Ship a Car With a Roof Rack?
Yes, and a bare rack almost never changes anything. What changes things is anything mounted on it, because your car is assigned to a specific position on the trailer based on the height you declared. A carrier loads two decks and the clearances are tight. A car that turns up four inches taller than expected may not fit the slot it was given, and then something has to be rearranged or left behind. Declare the height with the rack on and the problem disappears.
A Bare Rack Is Fine
Factory rails, crossbars and low profile racks add an inch or two and are simply part of the car. Millions of vehicles ship with them every year and nobody thinks about it.
Measure from the ground to the highest point of the rack and give that number when you book. That is the whole requirement. If your car is otherwise ordinary, it will be treated as ordinary.
Take Off Anything Mounted On It
This is where roof racks actually cause problems, and there are two separate reasons.
The first is height. A cargo box adds a foot or more, a roof tent considerably more, and bikes or kayaks add both height and awkward width. Any of those can move your car out of the slot it was assigned, and on the upper deck they can foul the structure above.
The second is insurance. Carrier cargo insurance covers the vehicle. Items carried on or in it are personal effects and are essentially never covered, so a box, a bike or a kayak riding on the roof is uninsured for the whole journey. It is also unsecured in a way the carrier cannot inspect, and a strap that has held fine at 55 miles an hour for an afternoon is a different proposition over several days.
Take them off, put them inside if they fit, or ship them separately.
Check How the Rack Is Attached
Factory rails bolted to the roof structure are not a concern. Clamp on aftermarket racks that grip the door frames are worth a second look.
A clamped rack that has loosened slightly can shift under sustained vibration, and a rack that moves scratches paint or, at worst, works free. Check the fittings are tight before collection, and if the rack is removable and you do not need it at the far end, taking it off entirely is the simplest answer.
Old racks on older cars are the usual candidates. If the rubber feet are perished or the fittings are corroded, remove it.
What This Means for Enclosed Transport
Enclosed trailers have less internal height than an open deck, so a tall rack matters more here, not less.
If you are shipping a vehicle enclosed and it carries a rack, mention it early. Some enclosed trailers are lift gate equipped with generous clearance and some are not, and the carrier needs the measured height to send the right one.
Preparing the Car
Beyond the rack, the usual applies. Wash the car so existing marks are visible and photograph every panel in daylight, and this time genuinely include the roof and the rack itself, since that is the area under discussion.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Empty the cabin and trunk, because personal items are not covered and they move around. Fold the mirrors, disable a motion sensitive alarm and remove any toll transponder.
At delivery, inspect before signing. Check the roof and the rack mounting points alongside the usual lower bumpers and wheels, and note anything unexpected on the bill of lading while the driver is present.
Does It Cost More
A bare rack does not change the price. It is the same car in the same slot.
A vehicle made genuinely taller by a box or a roof tent can cost more, because it may need a specific position on the trailer or displace another vehicle. That is a reason to remove the accessories rather than a reason to accept a higher price, since removal takes minutes and costs nothing.
Common Questions
Can I ship a car with a roof rack? Yes. A bare rack is routine. Just declare the height measured to the top of it.
Can I leave the cargo box on? No, take it off. It adds height and it is not covered by cargo insurance.
What about bikes or kayaks? Remove them. They add height and width, and they are uninsured on the roof.
Does a rack cost extra? A bare one, no. Accessories that make the car meaningfully taller can.
Should I remove the rack itself? Only if it is a clamp on type in poor condition, or if you do not need it at the destination.
Get a Quote
Call Ship A Car, Inc. at (866) 821-4555 with both zip codes and the height measured to the top of the rack, or price the move with the instant calculator.
