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09/21/05, 08:09 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central NYS
Posts: 101
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Moving options?
DH and I are preparing for another cross-country move. When we came out here to Wyoming, we were able to fit almost everything in our car: we had our parents ship a few boxes of clothes and books. Now, three years later, despite our best efforts we've accumulated enough stuff to make shipping the overflow impractical. I'm not talking a ton of stuff here- if we had a second vehicle, it would be no problem. I'd hoped to find space on a moving truck headed back East about the time we're moving, but the movers say they don't let families share trucks anymore. I'm guessing there's got to be some way to get in touch with a trucker headed that way who might have space in his truck, but I'm not sure where to begin looking. Does anyone have any information on this, or any better ideas?
Our other option would be to buy a second vehicle before we move- we'll need one once we get settled anyway. That was my original plan, but the high cost of gas is making me nervous about that idea, not to mention the potential logistical pitfalls and extra time this would take (neither of us would be able to drive all day, safely, the entire trip). It seems a lot more straightforward to make the trip in one vehicle if possible. Again, any thoughts on the feasiblity of this idea?
Thanks in advance!
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09/21/05, 08:14 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 431
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X- country move
You could rent a van, one way, and tow your vehicle. This would be cheaper than buying another.
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09/21/05, 08:48 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 665
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You could probably find a used utility for less than a couple hundred. You can either partially or fully enclose the trailer.
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09/21/05, 09:21 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Central New York
Posts: 530
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I agree with the used trailer and load it up. buy a tarp for $15 and some good rope.
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09/21/05, 09:54 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 324
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We typically pare down to the absolute necessities of life, things which have more value than the cost of moving them or sentimental value that is irreplaceable. Everything that doesn't HAVE to go with us gets thrown into a well-advertised yard sale. Everything not sold goes to either Goodwill or is freecycled. Then I rent a trailer from U-haul and pull it behind us. If you're canny, you can fit a surprising amount of stuff into a trailer. You'll need a good tow hitch as they can weigh, fully loaded, about 4000#.
We're military, so we do this repressingly often. I hate moving.
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09/22/05, 12:47 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IA
Posts: 5,499
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Yep, best option is to buy a used trailer and tow it behind your vehicle. You can always sell it once you get to your destination if you don't want to keep it.
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09/22/05, 09:37 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,750
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If you don't have a huge amount of stuff and plan on getting farm animals in the future invest in a good horse trailer.
We just moved twice within the space of six months! The army moved our houshold goods the first time as hubby was PCSing but we were on our own once we found our farm down here in SW Virginia. We filled up a 24ft U-Haul and had to leave almost as much behind in MD in storage. Hubby brought trailer loads whenever he came down on weekends. Then brought all our animals up from NC in it.
While farm hunting we dragged it all over VA with the dogs in their crates in there. Saved us a fortune in Kennel fees.
I thought we were wasting money when we bought it since we don't show our pony but I can honestly say it's been one of our best investments. It's paid for itself 10 times over at least.
P.
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09/22/05, 09:44 AM
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Truth Seeker
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 232
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Buy a used cargo container, load it your self, hire a truck-unload at your leisure and an instant building to boot.
Much cheaper than moving co.'s or U-Haul.
__________________
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
-Theodore Roosevelt
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09/23/05, 06:10 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central NYS
Posts: 101
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Thanks, everyone, for your responses! Unfortunately I guess we don't qualify as real homesteaders because we don't have a truck, or any kind of towing vehicle. Our car is a Buick Regal, and we actually have considered putting a hitch on it a couple times in the past, but we've come to the conclusion that it's a really bad idea. We do have a car-top carrier that we will be using. We were hoping to keep things cheaper than renting a truck- maybe mailing the overflow to our parents is more doable than I thought. With that in mind, does anyone have any more ideas? Thanks again for all the help!
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09/23/05, 10:44 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 202
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sarah K.
Our car is a Buick Regal, and we actually have considered putting a hitch on it a couple times in the past, but we've come to the conclusion that it's a really bad idea.
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Correct conclusion! 
We moved across country two years ago, and used ABF U-Pack .
I didn't much like the quality of service, but the price was right. Partial truck loads, and up to full truck loads. You put it on, they drive, you take it off.
I wouldn't use U-Haul ever again. The last time I did (local move) their pile of junk broke down twice, they were rude about it, and they CHARGED ME FOR THE SERVICE CALLS TO FIX THEIR TRUCK!
Oh, and they charged me overtime because I had the truck too long, which was because I had to wait for their useless mechanic to show up! 
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09/24/05, 03:31 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,510
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I've used Ryder and Penske rental trucks and never had a bit of trouble but they were all newer model trucks.
__________________
Respect The Cactus!
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09/24/05, 06:59 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: southwest AR
Posts: 263
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My SIL moved from New Orleans to Seattle a few years ago and she has no car - she paked all her stuff and shipped it by train somehow, and then flew to Seattle, and had the stuff delivered to her apt. I think it was Amtrac - call them and see if they can point you in the right direction.
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09/24/05, 09:30 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Virginia
Posts: 202
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Quint
I've used Ryder and Penske rental trucks and never had a bit of trouble but they were all newer model trucks.
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Yep. Used Penske last time. It was a WORLD of difference.
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