Shipping & Towing
Optimize vehicle transport and hauling by unlocking accurate VIN-based vehicle data—dimensions, weight, class, towing specs, and more.
Why the Shipping & Towing Industry Chooses VinLINK
- Compute accurate shipping & towing charges
VinLINK decodes VINs to reveal vehicle weight, dimensions, GVWR, GVW, and towing capacity—critical metrics for calculating load distribution and route planning based on OEM specs (espdata.com). - Reduce lifting/towing mistakes
Knowing exact vehicle measurements and weight ensures safe hookups and minimizes incidents during loading/unloading. - Ensure regulatory compliance & licensing
VIN data flags heavy-duty classes (e.g. Class 7–8) that require CDL drivers, weight-based permits, or escorts, helping avoid fines and legal risks. - Improve fleet efficiency
Automate vehicle classification (e.g., based on GVWR) to assign the most suitable transport equipment and optimize asset utilization.
Core Use Cases & Benefits
| Use Case | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Load planning & route design | Use VIN-extracted vehicle dimensions and weights to optimize load placement, trailer selection, and route restrictions. |
| Transport pricing accuracy | Get instant cost estimates based on vehicle class, weight, and size to provide precise quotes. |
| Safety compliance & licensing | Auto-detect heavy vehicle classes requiring special permits or drivers, reducing legal exposure. |
| Operational efficiency | Batch-decode VINs for large shipments, cutting manual data entry and speeding up dispatch prep. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What vehicle info is returned?
A: VinLINK supports Basic, Basic-Plus, Enhanced, and Recall report types. For towing/shipping use cases, it provides curb weight, GVWR, external dimensions, axle counts, body class, engine/transmission details, and open recalls (espdata.com, vinlink.com).
Q: How is VIN-based GVWR/towing capacity calculated?
A: While some values aren’t directly encoded in VINs, VinLINK draws from trusted OEM and industry sources to deliver accurate data like base/max towing capacity, payload, fuel tank size, and gross vehicle weight classes.
Q: Can we batch-process large VIN lists?
A: Yes—VinLINK supports batch uploads via API or CSV, enabling mass decoding for logistics brokers, OEM logistics programs, and transport networks.
Q: How fresh is the data?
A: VinLINK syncs weekly with OEM VIN masters and NHTSA sources, covering over 1 billion historical decodes with current accuracy (espdata.com).
Key Advantages at a Glance
- Accurate load calculations – VIN-driven specs remove guesswork in weight/dimensions.
- Optimal equipment usage – Assign the right size truck or trailer based on vehicle class.
- Regulatory adherence – Automatically comply with pin-to-pin compliance and licensing rules.
- Streamlined quoting & dispatch – Pre-fill shipping forms with decoded specs to boost efficiency.
- Reduced risk & damage – Properly sized loads help avoid handling accidents.
How to Get Started
- Try sample VINs: Upload a few VINs and review dimensions, weight, class, and towing capacity.
- API Demo: Integrate JSON/XML decodes into your software—see how it works live.
- Batch decoding: Use CSV or API endpoints to process fleets of VINs at scale.
- No contract, pay as needed: Top-up model with per-decode pricing—great for seasonal spikes.
Next Steps
- Request a POC: Upload sample VIN list to preview decoded specs and vehicle classes.
- Connect with Sales: Contact sales@espdata.com or (978) 975‑3333 to discuss integration into dispatch, broker, or freight planning systems.