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JLee's AZ move thread (ETA August 2011)

jlee

jlee

Lifer
Edit:
I'm now looking at a truck and trailer - I'd have to downsize way too much to fit everything in a little trailer. I've already decided on Penske, as I have never had a bad experience with a Penske truck. UHaul, on the other hand...heh. A 22ft or 26ft truck is diesel and will cost about $250 more than a 12ft or 16ft 'van'. I'd be more comfortable driving/towing with a diesel truck than a gasoline van, plus the fuel efficiency will just about offset the initial rental cost. IMHO it's a no-brainer to go with the larger truck.

Revised expense list:
Truck/trailer: $2,167.53
Fuel: $1100 (estimating 2600 miles, 10mpg, at $4.00/gal with ~$60ish extra)
Hotels: $219 (yes, they're cheap ones)

Planned stops in Cleveland OH, Belleville IL, Sapulpa OK, and Santa Rosa NM (subject to change...they just looked convenient on Google maps).

I'm not sure what to do with my MR2....bring that out first, or do it after I have everything else moved. If I did it first, I could bring it out a few weeks or a couple months before the move to avoid driving cross country back to back. I have over a month's worth of vacation time, so it is tempting to take a week off a month or two before I quit my job, and take my MR2 out via the scenic route. I've wanted to drive the USA corner to corner, so I might take eight or nine days and drive from Portland ME to San Diego CA. Head back to AZ, put the car in storage, fly back home and go back to work for a month or two...then quit and drive the truck back to AZ.

For the job situation, I'm looking at Mesa AZ PD...they are at critical minimum staffing now and should be opening for lateral applicants in the next two weeks. If I don't get hired by the time I leave, I will get a reserve or part time position somewhere and go back to retail banking for as long as I need to.

Nothing is set in stone right now - route can change, trailer can change...I've thought about renting a truck and towing the car, but with the amount of stuff I have, I highly doubt it's worth it.

Thoughts, suggestions, comments? I haven't ever moved this far (or done any long distance move solo), so if I have missed anything, let me know. I'd also be happy to stop along the way to meet a fellow ATOTer. 😀
 
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Sounds reasonable. Try to have the job lined up before you move if you can, getting to a new place with no means of income is rough. My wife and I did LA to NYC last sept.

Why are you moving, this winter get the best of you?
 
uclaLabrat said:
Sounds reasonable. Try to have the job lined up before you move if you can, getting to a new place with no means of income is rough. My wife and I did LA to NYC last sept.

Why are you moving, this winter get the best of you?
Click to expand...

Twenty or so winters. 😛 I've wanted to move for years...I'm looking at 10-20% higher pay, houses for about 30% of what they are here, and the weather. I've never been a huge winter guy...never really got into winter sports, and I spend most of winter just waiting for spring to show up so I can unpack my car again.
 
How much would it cost to drive the MR2 out?
My daughter is moving to OK and she is flying out and having her car shipped. Seems like it is around $700.
 
oldsmoboat said:
How much would it cost to drive the MR2 out?
My daughter is moving to OK and she is flying out and having her car shipped. Seems like it is around $700.
Click to expand...

$360-ish in gas, so that plus all other associated expenses. It might be just as cost-effective to have it shipped, but I've wanted to drive the USA corner to corner for a while. Perfect opportunity to drive from Portland ME to San Diego or LA. 🙂
 
get used to drinking tons of water. I was in Phoenix for 3 days and I can feel the water escaping from me :biggrin:
 
sdifox said:
get used to drinking tons of water. I was in Phoenix for 3 days and I can feel the water escaping from me :biggrin:
Click to expand...

You're not kidding - I flew out there twice in '09 and realized that I needed to learn to stay hydrated.
 
Man, AZ is just about the bottom of the list for places I'd like to live. Interestingly enough, New Hampshire is in the top 10 :^)
 
jlee said:
I'm not sure what to do with my MR2....bring that out first, or do it after I have everything else moved.
Click to expand...

Bring it with you.

TruckSaleshandler.ashx



do a tandem setup

truck_towing_car.jpg
 
How much do the compressor, tool box, etc. weigh? You might check the weight limit on the trailer and the towing limits on the Subaru. Also, have the Subaru checked out for all things mechanical before leaving. Pay special attention to the cooling system as the combination of trailer plus southwestern heat can be brutal on cars.

Also, when house hunting, keep in mind that building standards in the southwest are nothing like they are in the northeast. We don't have the winters to contend with and building codes reflect that. From northern eyes, the casa piñata building techniques used here look pretty crappy (because they are crappy).
 
JulesMaximus said:
I have relatives in Show Low, AZ. Maybe we could meet up and ride sometime...especially if you make it out to SoCal.
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Definitely - I may not be taking the bike (wasn't interested in riding in city traffic, plus space constraints on the move), but if there are good riding roads near Phoenix I might pick one up again. Or I could try to keep up in the MR2. 😛

IronWing said:
How much do the compressor, tool box, etc. weigh? You might check the weight limit on the trailer and the towing limits on the Subaru. Also, have the Subaru checked out for all things mechanical before leaving. Pay special attention to the cooling system as the combination of trailer plus southwestern heat can be brutal on cars.

Also, when house hunting, keep in mind that building standards in the southwest are nothing like they are in the northeast. We don't have the winters to contend with and building codes reflect that. From northern eyes, the casa piñata building techniques used here look pretty crappy (because they are crappy).
Click to expand...

Trailer is 900lb-ish empty, with a total weight rating higher than my maximum towing capacity (2400lb). I replaced the water pump and coolant 6k miles ago - I'll have to check over the radiator to see if it's showing signs of age, but it's been rock solid so far. A new aluminum radiator is tempting, though.

Toolbox & tools are probably 200-300lb, another 100-150lb for compressor? I don't know for sure, but I don't have a ridiculous amount of tools so I think it'll be fine. I can put some heavier stuff (tools, ammo) in the MR2 as well.
 
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hope all goes well!

Let me know when you'll be in IN/OH (I'm assuming you're going to jump on 80-90) and I'll buy you dinner.
 
jlee said:
Toolbox & tools are probably 200-300lb,
Click to expand...

Doubt it. Probably a lot more than that. Try lifting one end of it?

Trailer is 900lb-ish empty, with a total weight rating higher than my maximum towing capacity (2400lb).
Click to expand...

Probably going to overload your Forester.

I think I can do it with a 5x8 UHaul trailer.
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Everything you own, less an MR2, you think is going to fit in that little trailer? Sorry, but I'm skeptical.
 
MotF Bane said:
Doubt it. Probably a lot more than that. Try lifting one end of it?



Probably going to overload your Forester.



Everything you own, less an MR2, you think is going to fit in that little trailer? Sorry, but I'm skeptical.
Click to expand...

The rollaround is mostly empty. :\

I don't have much - wasn't planning on bringing furniture other than a bed. You're probably right, though...I likely do have more stuff than I think. I still could rent a truck/trailer, but it'd cost about $2000 more between rental fees and additional fuel. I can buy a lot of stuff for $2k, and not deal with the hassle of moving it all.

Edit: Hmm. Yeah, I don't think it'll fit. 5x8 is basically a full size pickup bed. I really wanted to avoid paying for a truck, but worst case I'll just do that and then I can bring the bike, utility trailer, etc. If I rent a truck, I want a diesel...smallest available is 22ft.
 
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jlee said:
The rollaround is mostly empty. :\

I don't have much - wasn't planning on bringing furniture other than a bed. You're probably right, though...I likely do have more stuff than I think.
Click to expand...

The basic truth of every move.

What about the guns? How many do you have, what about ammunition, and how about the safe?
 
jlee said:
The rollaround is mostly empty. :\

I don't have much - wasn't planning on bringing furniture other than a bed. You're probably right, though...I likely do have more stuff than I think. I still could rent a truck/trailer, but it'd cost about $2000 more between rental fees and additional fuel. I can buy a lot of stuff for $2k, and not deal with the hassle of moving it all.

Edit: Hmm. Yeah..., I'll have to measure out the trailer's dimensions and take a look at the boxes I have...I might be (will probably be) way out of the range of what'll fit. I really wanted to avoid paying for a truck, but worst case I'll just do that and then I can bring the bike, utility trailer, etc. If I rent a truck, I want a diesel...smallest available is 22ft.
Click to expand...

make sure to check other places besides Uhaul. Uhaul is the biggest ripoff out there and has the shittiest trucks. Try pricing it with Penske and see.
 
jlee said:
Edit: Hmm. Yeah..., I'll have to measure out the trailer's dimensions and take a look at the boxes I have...I might be (will probably be) way out of the range of what'll fit. I really wanted to avoid paying for a truck, but worst case I'll just do that and then I can bring the bike, utility trailer, etc. If I rent a truck, I want a diesel...smallest available is 22ft.
Click to expand...

Truck won't have a weight problem then either, and it should tow your Subaru just fine.

Has your pickup sold yet?
 
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