Im moving accross the country, need tips/advice

[AAjax]

Hi all,
As luck would have it, Im moving back to California after eight years in Indiana (W00t!)
When I moved out here I came with a duffle bag full of clothes and $200, ah for those simple and care free days.......

Anyhow now Im burdened with selling my home (Its currently pending sale) and moving a five bedroom house worth of stuff to California. On the bright side Im leaving all the appliances and much of my aquired stuff is getting sold or giving it away (if your in Indy drop me a line ) Im planning on moving myself with my freinds help, prob with a ryder truck towing my car. Should be interesting in these winter months.
My question is for anyone who has been through a long distance move, what pointers and lessons could you share with me? What worked well for you, and what didnt.
How did you save money doing it, what do you wish you spent more on? ect...

Thanks in advance for the info

Jax

 

[minendo]

Approximately where in Indy are you? Got an extra couch by any chance?

 

[conjur]

Not moved across the country but:

Put EVERYTHING in boxes and mark the room they're for and have 'em ready for the movers.
Pack glass/dishes carefully.
Get quotes from various movers and find out how they're insured and what the claim process is, if you needed to file one.


minendo, I have a sofa in storage that's yours for $200 if you come and get it! Just needs the seat cushions restuffed.

 

[MystikMango]

I've moved myself from Florida to Chicago, then back to Florida using a moving company. Then 8 years ago I moved myself from Florida to California, been here since.

Save yourself the trouble and hire a moving company. If you have as much stuff as I think you do (5bedroom) you will be glad that you did.

As far as pointers, be careful towing your car. If you are renting a moving truck, have them hook up your car. Make sure you load all the heavy objects closest to the ball & hitch tongue, and strap it all down (or to the walls). Pack stuff they you will need right away last, since it will be the easiet to get to. This is stuff like bathroom and kitchen junk, and stuff to make-up a quick bed. Don't pack your towed car full of junk either, because once you get to where you are moving to, you'll find driving your car around to be easier than the moving truck.

Good luck and welcome back to CA.

 

[optoman]

Do not use U-Haul or Ryder. Penske is the only way to go!

Label everything, make sure you have insurance and that it will cover any losses you might have will moving such as the moving truck going up in flames with all your possesions in it. Make sure you get everything in writing and be the first one at the door the day you are picking up the rental. If they screw up your reservations at least there should be trucks there.

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: minendo
Approximately where in Indy are you? Got an extra couch by any chance?

Im in Cumberland, but no my couch stays with me
I mostly have allot of shelving/lawn equipment/paint-painting stuff/very large able to survive an atomic balst desk/odds-ends that arent spoken for. My local friends here allready put dibs on the extra beds and such. Tell you what though, as soon as the house is officially sold Ill post in thread/pm ya to tell you whats availible. Most will be for free

Jax

 

[EagleKeeper]

Assuming that you are moving yourself:

Good strong boxes - U-Haul
Label boxes properly
Plenty on newspaper around anything breakable.
Use blankets to protect furniture.
Try to use the boxes to build walls within the truck.
Use tiedowns within the truck if possible.

Plan on driving 500 miles at most with the truck per day. It is rough driving those trucks long distance.
Unless you are going to the SF area, take the Southern route (I20 or I40).
I20 if possible - Albu NM & Flagstaff can be rough in the winter. More miles but easier.
I came across I40 on Turkey day (West to East) and had icy morning with some slick spots in early AM.

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: optoman
Do not use U-Haul or Ryder. Penske is the only way to go!

Label everything, make sure you have insurance and that it will cover any losses you might have will moving such as the moving truck going up in flames with all your possesions in it. Make sure you get everything in writing and be the first one at the door the day you are picking up the rental. If they screw up your reservations at least there should be trucks there.

Wow, no doubt just went to their website and they are way cheaper thank anyone else that Ive looked at so far.

MystikMango,
Im not really gonna be moving a ton of stuff as Im going to be sharing a condo with a old friend of mine in Valencia CA.(LA)
Thanks for the packing tips too! Darn good input

Thanks,
Jax

 

[EagleKeeper]

Left out of Mount Comfort in July 2001 around noon. first night was just west of St Louis. Next was half way across Kansas. Third was around Grand Prairie (CO). Swung south to LV the next afternoon.

Would not want to cross I70 using a rental moving truck in the winter. To easy to get caught in a storm. I have known people that left Denver in nice weather, and had to bunk up for 2-3 days on the other side of the Rickies.

 

[AAjax]

I figured a southern route would be much more pleasant. Might take longer but Im done with the cold weather

 

[Yossarian]

go to a moving company, give one of the loader guys $20 and you can get all the boxes you want.