Moving long distance in less than two weeks....looking for tips!

[luvmylittleboy2003]

We are moving from CO to KY...we are renting a truck and doing it ourselves, so, how do you keep you couches, mattress, etc from smelling like a garage that holds a snow blower, lawn mower, harley and tools. Also wondering what you do with your fridge and freezer stuff when going that far? Would love some tips on making this move a little less stressul, packing more efficient without items getting ruined. Thanks!

 

[dakcp2001]

Forget the truck, call ABF and get some relo cubes. Someone here on the dis recommended this for me and it was a lifesaver!!! That way no big truck they pick up & deliver for you. Less expensive and NO GAS COSTS! Those UHauls are gas guzzlers.

We went from a house to an apt so we ended up giving away our snowblower, lawnmower, grill etc. Does it snow in KY? We did pack our flatscreen tvs in bubble wrap and then tapes pillows around them. They arrives safe!

We gave all the fridge freezer stuff to my sister. We packed light, sometimes it is more expensive to move something than it would be to replace.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Thanks, that's a great idea. I will check out the difference

 

[amid chaos]

Last on the truck, first to be unloaded. The things you need first, go on last. Things like cleaning supplies, stuff for your first night there. If you have kids, have them pack their own VIP box of stuff to come off first.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are moving from CO to KY...we are renting a truck and doing it ourselves, so, how do you keep you couches, mattress, etc from smelling like a garage that holds a snow blower, lawn mower, harley and tools. Also wondering what you do with your fridge and freezer stuff when going that far? Would love some tips on making this move a little less stressul, packing more efficient without items getting ruined. Thanks!

Don't worry about "smells", the stuff isn't on there long enough to be an issue.

Fridge and freezer stuff are tossed. Use it up or you can put stuff in coolers if you want.

The big thing with getting stuff ruined is improperly packing so your stuff gets scraped or falls over. Learn how to correctly pack the truck, pod, whatever.

Let's see, how much of my stuff is ruined? My amoire, fridge, and some other stuff has taken damage.

Granted we are in our 4th house so the stuff has moved a lot.

I guess the best thing we do now is we hire labor to help load and unload. DH and crew are too old/back issues to do the bulk of furniture moving anymore.

Are you packed up yet? I started packing up to 2 months ahead of time. I always started with breakables because I was careful in the beginning and sloppy at the end. You just get sick and tired of the endless packing.

So if you have not packed anything you need to get going...asap.

 

[golfgal]

I agree, get PODS or a similar thing, they bring a trailer to your house, you load it up as you pack, they pick it up and haul it to your destination. Then you can pack your garage stuff in one POD, furniture in another, etc. Also, depending on how much stuff you have, it might not be that must more expensive to have a moving company come and pack and move you. It would be worth pricing things out.

If you do end up going the UHaul route-buy packing supplies like the pros use-sheets of packing paper, big rolls of plastic wrap and good boxes all of the same size (check craigslist for the boxes as people often post them there). If the boxes are all the same size it makes packing the truck MUCH more efficient. Also, the big rolls of plastic wrap for your furniture keeps it clean and odor free. If your couches, etc. have skirts on the bottom, fold those UP before you wrap your furniture. Look on some moving companies website to see what they do (probably have pictures of their packing process).

 

[undertheradar]

You can donate the foods to a shelter. You should not move chemicals, paints, cleaners, etc. You should have all fluids drained from motorized equipment before loading. Don't take empty gas cans.

Inventory everything you are packing so that you will know how you packed and number all boxes so you can unload easier.

Get rid of things that you seldome use.

 

[PigletsPal2]

Pack your beds, mattresses, bed linens and enough bath linens for everyone and put them in the truck last. Unpack them first and make the beds immediately and hang the towels where they belong. When you've been driving or unpacking all day, there's nothing you'll appreciate more than a shower and a clean bed.

As the veteran of more than 30 moves, I know whereof I speak LOL!

Queen Colleen

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Wow...thanks for all the tips. I wouldn't have thought about loading bed stuff and towels last and certainly wouldn't have thought to remove the gas from the motorcycle, lawn mower, etc....

 

[dakcp2001]

Oh, one more thing! We used ABF relo cubes, when we got to our new home we went to the UHAUL website and looked up "mover helpers" so they unloaded our cube for us. Easiest move ever! Hardest part was the road trip with the kitty in his carrier. He did not enoy the trip.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I use my towels and dish towels to help pack the dishes.

Keep a detailed list of the boxes. I number and label all the boxes. I keep a corresponding list with the box numbers and rooms with me.

Pack one suitcase per person if living out of a suitcase. Have your kids pick out the 5 toys that can't live without for a week at least. The AAA website has great things for download to give to kids to keep them occupied with the travel especially since they will have a new home.

If you are going to pack the Uhaul yourself, READ THE DIRECTIONS. There should be a method to the madness of loading so the weight is equally distributed so you will be able to stop in an emergency if need be.

 

[malibuconlee]

Lots of good tips here.

Also pack with easy access paper towels, soap, paper plates, plastic silverware, and plastic cups. That way if nothing else, you can get sandwich stuff and eat.

also if you are packing yourself, make a "parts box". All the odds and ends go there along with all the tv remotes.

Fridge and freezer stuff gets given away/tossed. Just one of those expenses with moving.