Shipping a vehicle with Red Foot Haulers moves through five stages: request a quote, book and confirm, pickup with a condition report, transit, and delivery with a second condition report. We ship within Canada only, door-to-door, and every load is covered by cargo insurance while it's on our carrier. The fastest way to see how the process applies to your move is to request a quote for your specific route and vehicle.
How Shipping With Red Foot Haulers Works
Whether you're moving a daily driver, a travel trailer, or a boat on its trailer, the path from first contact to delivery follows the same five stages. We collect a few details up front, put a written quote in front of you, assign a driver who documents the vehicle before it loads, keep you informed in transit, and document the vehicle again at delivery. Everything is Canada-only and fully insured. The rest of this page walks through each stage so you know exactly what to expect and what we need from you at each step.
1. Request a Quote
To build an accurate quote we ask for the vehicle type, year, make, and model, whether it runs and drives or needs to be towed or winched, both pickup and delivery addresses (city and postal code is enough to start), and your preferred pickup dates. Photos of the vehicle are optional but genuinely useful — they help us spot existing damage, oversized accessories, or awkward access like a steep driveway before we commit to a number, so the quote you accept is the quote that holds. During business hours we typically respond the same day; requests that arrive after hours are usually answered the next business day. We don't publish a guaranteed response time, but a quiet inbox on our end is rare.
2. Book and Confirm
Once you accept a quote, you'll receive it in writing with the route, transport type, and vehicle details laid out in plain language. A deposit secures your spot on the schedule and confirms the pickup window we discussed. Your written quote spells out exactly what's included so there are no surprises later. If your lender, storage facility, or anyone releasing the vehicle needs proof of coverage first, ask us for the insurance certificate at this stage — we can send it ahead of pickup day so nothing stalls at the gate.
3. Pickup and Condition Report
The assigned driver will call or text ahead of arrival so someone is available at the pickup address. Before the vehicle loads, the driver and the shipper (or their representative) walk around it together and complete a condition report with photos — panels, glass, wheels, and any existing scratches, dents, or marks. Both parties should agree and sign off before loading begins, because that report is the record any later claim is measured against. If the pickup address has tight clearance, low overhangs, or a long unpaved approach, tell us in advance so the driver can arrange a nearby meeting point rather than arriving to find the truck can't safely get in.
4. In Transit
Most trucks carry more than one vehicle, and drivers operate under federally regulated hours-of-service rules that require scheduled rest. That's why we give delivery windows rather than a fixed hour — a truck on a long route may also be routing around winter closures or seasonal road restrictions, and any of that can shift timing by a day without anything having gone wrong. We don't present transit times as guarantees. Updates typically come from the driver directly as the load approaches your delivery window, particularly once the truck is within a day or so of arrival.
5. Delivery
At delivery, the driver and receiver complete a second condition report and compare it against the one taken at pickup. This is your opportunity to confirm the vehicle arrived the way it left. The balance beyond your deposit is typically due at this point, per the terms on your written quote. If anything doesn't match the pickup report, note it on the delivery paperwork immediately with photos — that documentation is what keeps a claim straightforward rather than a dispute. Less common situations, such as a missed window or a third party receiving on your behalf, are covered in more detail on our shipping FAQs page.
What Shapes Your Quote
We build every quote around your specific vehicle and route rather than a single flat formula, because two moves over the same distance can look very different. The table below shows the main factors that shape a quote and how each one tends to move it. Every one of these is stated on your written quote in plain language before you pay a deposit — there's no factor you'll be seeing for the first time on delivery day.
| Factor | How It Affects Your Quote |
|---|---|
| Distance and route | Longer hauls cover more ground, while very short moves still carry fixed dispatch and positioning effort. Corridors we run regularly are easier to schedule than one-off routes. |
| Transport type: open vs. enclosed | Open transport is the standard method for most vehicles. Enclosed transport is reserved for specialty vehicles and takes longer to book because trailer supply is limited. |
| Vehicle size and weight | A compact car takes far less deck space and axle capacity than a large truck or oversized unit, which may need a dedicated slot or specialized equipment. |
| Running or non-running | A vehicle that starts, steers, and brakes loads quickly. A non-running vehicle needs winching and extra labour, which is reflected in the quote. |
| Timing and season | Peak periods tighten available capacity, and winter routing through mountain or prairie corridors can add time. |
| Remote pickup or delivery | Addresses well off major highway corridors — rural acreages, cottage country, northern communities — take extra driving to reach, which is factored into the quote. |
Open vs. Enclosed Transport at a Glance
| Transport Type | Best For | Typical Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Most cars, trucks, trailers, and standard vehicles | Standard method, exposed to road spray and weather, widely available capacity |
| Enclosed | Vintage, highly customized, or specialty vehicles needing full weather protection | Longer lead time to book due to limited trailer supply |
Related Services and Coverage
The process above applies across everything we haul. If you're moving a daily driver, see our car shipping Canada service; if you're relocating a motorhome or towable, our RV shipping Canada page covers the details specific to those units; and if a boat is part of the move, our boat shipping and transport Canada page walks through how we handle hulls and their trailers. To confirm we run your specific corridor, check where we ship across Canada before you request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a shipment?
Send a quote with both addresses and your vehicle details. Once you accept, a deposit schedules the move and we confirm pickup windows with you.
Will I get an exact delivery date?
You get a delivery window, not a guaranteed hour. Carrier transit includes mandated rest and other vehicles on the load; weather can widen the window.
What is a condition report?
A documented inspection of the vehicle at pickup and again at delivery, usually with photos. It is the record any later claim is settled against.
When do I pay?
A deposit books the shipment; the balance is typically split around pickup and delivery. Exact terms are on your written quote.