Author Topic: best way to get large items over distance  (Read 6539 times)

Frankies Girl

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best way to get large items over distance
« on: January 06, 2014, 06:45:54 PM »
I have a bunch of stuff I have to go get from my home state in the next month or so. Larger stuff like a dining room table and 8 chairs, china hutch, and a few other smaller items. I will not be able to fit all of that into my vehicle (the table is HUGE and the hutch is old and fragile).

Home state is about 14 hours drive. I've made the drive too many times to count, but it's exhausting, and I'd have to get a tow hitch put on my car to haul the stuff. Probably the cheapest, but man, I hate that damned trip and twice in a week needs a few days of recovery for me.

My other option is to fly up, rent a small truck and drive it one way back.

Is there another option other than professional movers, as I don't want to go that route, since I need to be up there to pack some stuff and search out some other items stored with my mother, so it's not going to be a simple pickup and go. And I would like to visit a few days anyway.


vern

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2014, 08:51:57 PM »
Do you have a friend who can loan you a pickup truck perhaps?

Other than that or selling the big items, the U-Haul route sounds best.

4alpacas

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2014, 08:59:21 PM »
When we moved, we used a PODS-like service. We loaded and unloaded.  The giant metal box was transported by someone else. 

Frankies Girl

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2014, 09:59:54 AM »
Selling the items are out - they are heirlooms I want from my grandmother on my dad's side.

I might look into the pods thing, but I'm thinking they won't have one small enough to make it cost effective compared to me just driving up there and renting a small trailer to drive back. I'm just loathing the drive itself, but might break the trip up and stop someplace overnight so it's not a straight through drive.

rocksinmyhead

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2014, 10:33:20 AM »
Selling the items are out - they are heirlooms I want from my grandmother on my dad's side.

I might look into the pods thing, but I'm thinking they won't have one small enough to make it cost effective compared to me just driving up there and renting a small trailer to drive back. I'm just loathing the drive itself, but might break the trip up and stop someplace overnight so it's not a straight through drive.

we also used a PODS-like service for our move, specifically the ABF one where rather than renting truck space in discrete POD units, you rent by the linear foot of a truck/trailer. we used something like 13' and it was the cheapest option for our move... not sure if it would be cost-effective for your smaller haul, but definitely something to look into.

senecando

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2014, 10:36:25 AM »
Selling the items are out - they are heirlooms I want from my grandmother on my dad's side.

I might look into the pods thing, but I'm thinking they won't have one small enough to make it cost effective compared to me just driving up there and renting a small trailer to drive back. I'm just loathing the drive itself, but might break the trip up and stop someplace overnight so it's not a straight through drive.

we also used a PODS-like service for our move, specifically the ABF one where rather than renting truck space in discrete POD units, you rent by the linear foot of a truck/trailer. we used something like 13' and it was the cheapest option for our move... not sure if it would be cost-effective for your smaller haul, but definitely something to look into.

ABF was great for our move, a very pleasant experience.

okashira

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2014, 10:52:39 AM »
Trailer from craigslist + high mpg car + hitch

dragoncar

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2014, 12:01:52 PM »
Trailer from craigslist + high mpg car + hitch

+1, and sell the trailer when you get there

MicroRN

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2014, 03:06:48 PM »
Try posting it on UShip.  I've gotten great shipping deals.  A set of antique dining room furniture from VA to CT was $150.  Of course a lot of the bids were higher, but this was a guy with a pick up and trailer who did batched loads up and down the east coast.

SnackDog

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Rural

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2014, 05:19:42 PM »
Drive there as usual, rent a small moving truck and a tow dolly there, load the truck, tow your car back with the truck.

niknak

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2014, 09:59:21 AM »
What is the point of an heirloom item that you cannot eat or carry in your pocket? Whenever I visit my Aunt she always tries to get me to take "heirloom" furniture from my Grandmother. Heirloom furniture just seems like an expensive and stressful burden. Did our ancestors really want us to struggle with their hand-me-down furniture? It seems more like a punishment than a gift.

If I were you I'd challenge myself to consider the real value of this furniture. Why is it so important that I keep it?

/unhelpful rant


AccidentalMiser

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2014, 11:03:56 AM »
What is the point of an heirloom item that you cannot eat or carry in your pocket? Whenever I visit my Aunt she always tries to get me to take "heirloom" furniture from my Grandmother. Heirloom furniture just seems like an expensive and stressful burden. Did our ancestors really want us to struggle with their hand-me-down furniture? It seems more like a punishment than a gift.

If I were you I'd challenge myself to consider the real value of this furniture. Why is it so important that I keep it?

/unhelpful rant

@niknak: I agree with you.  I am SOOO glad to have very small things to remember people by (even though I would still think of them if I didn't have their old tchotchkes.)

@FrankiesGirl: Can you fly one way and rent a UHAUL?

rocksinmyhead

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2014, 11:50:23 AM »
What is the point of an heirloom item that you cannot eat or carry in your pocket? Whenever I visit my Aunt she always tries to get me to take "heirloom" furniture from my Grandmother. Heirloom furniture just seems like an expensive and stressful burden. Did our ancestors really want us to struggle with their hand-me-down furniture? It seems more like a punishment than a gift.

If I were you I'd challenge myself to consider the real value of this furniture. Why is it so important that I keep it?

/unhelpful rant

if it was furniture I actually liked/needed/it suited my taste and my home, I would LOVE to have some heirloom furniture! or even if it could be refinished to suit my tastes, while still inspiring fond memories. but then again, I'm a free/old furniture junkie.

Frankies Girl

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2014, 12:10:00 PM »
What is the point of an heirloom item that you cannot eat or carry in your pocket? Whenever I visit my Aunt she always tries to get me to take "heirloom" furniture from my Grandmother. Heirloom furniture just seems like an expensive and stressful burden. Did our ancestors really want us to struggle with their hand-me-down furniture? It seems more like a punishment than a gift.

If I were you I'd challenge myself to consider the real value of this furniture. Why is it so important that I keep it?

/unhelpful rant

I completely agree in theory. But technically, yes, my ancestors did want to burden me with hand-me-downs... and trash and broken things and filth. My dad was a hoarder and came from a long line of packrats. ;)

The table and hutch are from the 30s or 40s, and not fancy antiques, but they mean something to me and I like them. Believe me, if I didn't like them, they'd have been toast.




MicroRN

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2014, 12:27:09 PM »
What is the point of an heirloom item that you cannot eat or carry in your pocket? Whenever I visit my Aunt she always tries to get me to take "heirloom" furniture from my Grandmother. Heirloom furniture just seems like an expensive and stressful burden. Did our ancestors really want us to struggle with their hand-me-down furniture? It seems more like a punishment than a gift.

If I were you I'd challenge myself to consider the real value of this furniture. Why is it so important that I keep it?

/unhelpful rant

We kept the set from my husband's great-aunt because it's a beautiful, high quality set from the 1920s that just required refinishing.  If we had no desire or need for dining furniture, we wouldn't have put in the effort.  However, we like having nice furniture, and we host a lot of parties so sufficient dining space is important.  We got the experience of refinishing, and have a stunning set for far less than buying it.   

AccidentalMiser

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2014, 06:22:29 PM »
@FrankiesGirl, what'd you decide to do?

TomTX

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2014, 06:39:25 PM »
Trailer from craigslist + high mpg car + hitch

+1, and sell the trailer when you get there

That makes a hell of a lot of sense. Wish I'd seen this before bringing my wife's family stuff back from the East Coast.

Frankies Girl

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Re: best way to get large items over distance
« Reply #18 on: January 18, 2014, 07:16:03 PM »
It's probably going to be another month before I have to make a decision, but I kind of like the idea of just buying a reasonably priced vehicle and trailer and selling it once I get back home. Definitely wouldn't have thought of that myself.

 

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