suggestions for transporting furniture?

[Obsessed]

There are two or three pieces of furniture in my mother's house in Ohio that I may want to move to my place in New York over the next few months. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cost-effective way of moving the stuff? The load is too small to justify hiring movers, and I don't think it will be practicable for me to go out there and drive a U-Haul back. I'd appreciate any ideas you might have.

Thanks.

 

[thebikingengineer]

A U-haul of some kind is probably your best option. Cheaper than a moving company. What kind of vehicle do you have, depending on the size of that you could pull a trailer, that would be cheaper still. It is for this reason that I bought a truck, haven't had to worry about moving stuff in quite a while. The mileage is worse than I'd like, but not having to worry is worth it.

 

[airplanedoc]

If you can keep your ear to the ground in ohio, you might be able to find someone heading your way that could bring the pieces somewhere close to you in NY. I have done this several times. A friend of my grandmothers child was to St. Louis, I gave them $50 and they threw a desk on their truck for me, I just had to get it the last 75 miles, much easier than 500 miles.

 

[ajkimmins]

A U-haul of some kind is probably your best option. Cheaper than a moving company. What kind of vehicle do you have, depending on the size of that you could pull a trailer, that would be cheaper still. It is for this reason that I bought a truck, haven't had to worry about moving stuff in quite a while. The mileage is worse than I'd like, but not having to worry is worth it.

+1, what is your vehicle and what are the pieces?

 

[dpmtherrien]

Try getting hold of some of the smaller trucking firms. They may be able to make arrangements to put the pieces onto a truck going your way. Its worth a few phone calls.

Other than the U-Haul, you may be shutting yourself off from a quick and easy way to get stuff moved. Good luck.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Check craigslist and the yellow pages for movers and long distance truckers.
There's an entire industry of companies doing what are called "Less Than Truckload" moves across the US, and with the economy still being in the tank there's a huge surplus of truck capacity out there right now.

Your options will range from cheap but questionably "2 guys and a truck" operations up to UPS and Fedex type deals who charge top dollar. Get someone bonded and insured, check their online reviews if possible, and you should be ok.

 

[stobes21]

I've seen services advertised that drop off a metal, lockable cargo "pod" at your location, you load it and then call them, and they then pick up and truck that "pod" to your new location or to a storage center. It's supposed to be a lot cheaper than movers or Uhaul type things, but it still might cost more than standard freight shipping.

 

[FreezerBurns]

I've seen services advertised that drop off a metal, lockable cargo "pod" at your location, you load it and then call them, and they then pick up and truck that "pod" to your new location or to a storage center. It's supposed to be a lot cheaper than movers or Uhaul type things, but it still might cost more than standard freight shipping.

That might be a good idea, something like this: http://www.upack.com/moving-services/moving-container-size.asp

 

[stobes21]

That might be a good idea, something like this: http://www.upack.com/moving-services/moving-container-size.asp

Yep, that looks like the kind of thing I was thinking of. I didn't go through the thing to get a price quote, so I'm not sure if the cost is worth it.

 

[Obsessed]

Thanks guys. I'll look into the "ReloCube" thing and finding extra space on a truck heading my way.

In answer to one of the questions, the items I want to move are a sofa and a dining room table, and maybe one or two smaller items. The reason I'm not keen on a U-Haul is that I don't really want to have to spend a couple of days to fly out there myself and drive it back. A trailer is an interesting idea, however. I have a Honda Pilot, which I think has a trailer hitch. The family may be driving out there for a visit this summer anyhow; maybe we could just tow the furniture back with us.

I've actually never driven while towing a trailer. Are there any difficulties I should consider?

 

[Mejnoon]

You might wanna check with Greyhound

http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

 

[82R100]

I've actually never driven while towing a trailer. Are there any difficulties I should consider?

If you're looking at a rental trailer, they recommend extremely low maximum speeds for them (think: 45 mph) probably as a litigation dodge. Rental trailers are often very heavy as well so you'd want to study the class rating of your hitch and vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for maximum towed and combination (total of towed and carried) payloads. The actual driving's pretty straight forward. Backing can take a little practice, at first.

- Chris

 

[airplanedoc]

I've actually never driven while towing a trailer. Are there any difficulties I should consider?

Not much more than backing up. If you can find one to borrow, you will be much better off than renting. Uhaul trailers/rental trailers are built like tanks. Also you will have to pay a lot extra if you do a one way rental

 

[Obsessed]

If you're looking at a rental trailer, they recommend extremely low maximum speeds for them (think: 45 mph)

Yikes - 45 mph for 500 miles with two small kids in the car? Gee, I wonder if they can also rent me a guy to pull out one of my fingernails every 50 miles.

 

[ajkimmins]

Yikes - 45 mph for 500 miles with two small kids in the car? Gee, I wonder if they can also rent me a guy to pull out one of my fingernails every 50 miles.

I do 80 with them.
It's their way of avoiding lawsuits from people that don't load them right, and get the wobbling on the freeway. Just remember to put most of the weight in the front.

 

[DESkydiver]

There are two or three pieces of furniture in my mother's house in Ohio that I may want to move to my place in New York over the next few months. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cost-effective way of moving the stuff? The load is too small to justify hiring movers, and I don't think it will be practicable for me to go out there and drive a U-Haul back. I'd appreciate any ideas you might have.

Thanks.

I had a couple pieces of family heirlooms shipped to Denver from Baltimore when my mom moved to the retirement center she lives now. It seemed most "movers" were firm that they charge the same amount for 2 or 3 pieces as they charge for moving a full house. To make a long story perfectly endless...

Craters and Freighters was the service I used. http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cf/home.do
They take each piece, protect moving items, drawers, doors, etc from shifting, wrap it in bubble wrap, 2 plus inches of foam pad on all sides, put it in custom made heavy duty cardboard box with wooden floor insert and band it to a pallet.

It took a few days, but they did door-to-door pickup and delivery and charged a very reasonable price for the service based on weight, size, and distance. Saved me much more than if I flew there, rented a van or truck and drove back myself. I guess you have to weigh the options that meet your needs.