Ninety percent of transport disputes trace back to something on this list being skipped. It takes ten minutes.
Before pickup day
- Wash the exterior — you cannot document damage you cannot see
- Photograph all four corners, the roof, the wheels, and the odometer, with timestamps on
- Remove all personal items and anything valuable from the cabin
- Take out toll transponders and parking passes so you are not billed across three states
- Retract or remove the antenna and fold in the mirrors
- Disable the alarm, or give the driver clear instructions to disarm it
- Secure or remove loose spoilers, bike racks, and aftermarket parts
- Check for fluid leaks and top off coolant, oil, and brake fluid
- Check tire pressure — flat tires cannot be loaded safely
- Leave a quarter tank of fuel, no more
At pickup
Walk the vehicle with the driver. Every existing scratch, dent, and chip goes on the Bill of Lading before you sign. Take your own photos with the truck in frame. Get the driver's name and cell number. Keep your copy of the BOL somewhere you will still find it in ten days — it is the only document that matters if anything goes wrong.
