MOVING -- advice -- UHaul, space, etc...

[churdiales]

Okay, short and simple... we are moving cross country, I need help.
No, not actual help as in "help me, help you", not that help.

I just need advice...

We are selling almost everything here; we are keeping one sofa, two/three chairs, a desk, and a couple of trinkets here and there.
Our move will consist mainly of a lot of framed stuff; paintings, posters, photos, you name it... in all sizes and colors (we don't discriminate in the churdiales's household).

So, what to do? Clock is ticking...

Do I...
A) rent a U-Haul truck? Which one is the bang for my money? (I will need to tow my car with it, so besides renting a truck, I have to rent one of those towing devices, as well.)
(A.1. Do I just sell my car here, buy one on the East Coast, does this make more sense than towing it?)

B) rent some "space" on an 18-wheeler?

C) spend money on a professional moving company?

To give you more input, I looked into U-Haul and Penske, and they both ended up being around $800-1,000 for a decent size truck... (plus gas, of course).
So, is it smart to pay $1,000 and do everything myself, or is there a better option out there... as in cheaper and more efficient (efficient = me not doing a damn thing)?

I ask because I know some of you have done moves recently... anyway, hope there are some experienced people out there that can throw some pertinent info my way...

(Oh, and buy that huge painting I have for sale here so that I don't have to rent a bigger/longer truck for it...)

[ceevee]

If you are selling most of your stuff before moving, have you considered renting a cube and having it meet you at your destination? You pack it yourself, which allows you to make sure that things are secure, you won't incur the same mileage costs as a truck, and you can then drive your car with smaller, more fragile items and meet it across country. We found a good deal with ABF, I believe it was. Will be doing the same route here again soon.

[shoeless]

My suggestion: rent a Uhaul and do it yourself. If your car is worth towing, do so. I don't think the trailer would cost much more.

Why would I suggest this? Work ethic is shit now-a-days. I lack trust in others to do their job well. I would be a nervous wreck having someone else move my things. Too many ways for something to be broken, scratched, misplaced, or generally handled without proper caution.


Because Im a damn good person, Im wiling to offer more help!! Feel free to send any prints my way before the journey....especially Esao's you may have hiding in the collection. The less you have to move, the easier it will be!!! PM me for address. You're welcome

[sidewaysscott]

rent a Uhaul and do it yourself.

Why would I suggest this? Work ethic is shit now-a-days. I lack trust in others to do their job well. I would be a nervous wreck having someone else move my things. Too many ways for something to be broken, scratched, misplaced, or generally handled without proper caution.

yup.

[churdiales]

If you are selling most of your stuff before moving, have you considered renting a cube and having it meet you at your destination? We found a good deal with ABF, I believe it was.

Thanks ceevee, will look into it tomorrow... hadn't considered this option.

My suggestion: rent a Uhaul and do it yourself. If your car is worth towing, do so. I don't think the trailer would cost much more. Work ethic...

Because Im a damn good person, Im wiling to offer more help!! Feel free to send any prints my way before the journey.... the less you have to move, the easier it will be!!! PM me for address. You're welcome

At this point, work ethic is something I am willing to risk, I just want to get it done...

Oh, and I might drive through Tennessee (it's an optional route).
We can do a quick exchange, have any Banksys?

[sidewaysscott]

although, i do say that the cube route sounds easy.

[jodeci78]

cube route sounds good.

keep your car. you know what its been through. and its a pain in the ass to do additional paperwork in selling/buying another car.

[ceevee]

The best part is being able to take your time across country without the hassle of a big truck. And we like to camp, which saves money and is much easier to do in a car than a moving truck.

[churdiales]

although, i do say that the cube route sounds easy.

ouch, that cube thing gives me a quote around $2,000-3,000 for a two-bedroom house... (I might be doing something wrong while using their online form --Houston to Philly).

I guess the U-Haul option would be the cheapest?

[churdiales]

cube route sounds good.

keep your car. you know what its been through. and its a pain in the ass to do additional paperwork in selling/buying another car.

Yep, that is what I was thinking... although isn't it a pain to get new plates, stickers, the works in the new state we will be calling home soon (PA)?

[ceevee]

Keep in mind that their quote for a two-bedroom house is considering more than one sofa, two/three chairs, a desk, and a couple of trinkets here and there. It sounds like you can get by with one cube instead of a fleet of cubes. I don't work for them or have any other allegiance though and am also open to other suggestions for my impending move...

thread bookmarked.

[churdiales]

Yeah, the UHaul truck including a tow dolly and insurance for belongings comes up to (around) $1,000.
(I have a crazy uncle that will share the driving with me, so it won't be as bad... sharing the wheel, getting some sleep on the road, etc...)

Thanks for the advice! Will bump this thread in the next couple of days to see if anybody else has other suggestions.

[trarex]

Be sure you pull the drive shaft if you tow the car.

[Jesusmalverde]

My 2 cents. If your moving across the country, saying you go rent a Uhaul truck, its both time consuming and could be only marginally cheaper than hiring a mover. You have to hump your truck cross country and pay for gas, food, hotel ,etc. hidden costs could arise, not to mention safety issues. Being a weekend trucker is a tough gig, I feel it's better to let the pros do it. Sell your car, get another one wherever you end up. Just make sure you bomb proof any prints/posters you move. Hey, we all Know, no matter how you slice it, moving sucks. Any how, good luck.

[shoeless]

My suggestion: rent a Uhaul and do it yourself. If your car is worth towing, do so. I don't think the trailer would cost much more. Work ethic...

Because Im a damn good person, Im wiling to offer more help!! Feel free to send any prints my way before the journey.... the less you have to move, the easier it will be!!! PM me for address. You're welcome

At this point, work ethic is something I am willing to risk, I just want to get it done...

Oh, and I might drive through Tennessee (it's an optional route).
We can do a quick exchange, have any Banksys?

Sorry...no Banksys(the avatar is mere motivation).

You really should drive through TN though. Depending on where you'll be (Im always in either Nashville & East TN) and when, Id be happy to meet up and exchange some extra gas money for a print! Lighten the load for ya. Or, grab a pizza and a couple beers.
Regardless, its a beautiful drive....especially in Eastern TN.