How to move all my firearm crap and motorcycles across the country???

[Basher]

So big news in the Basher house, we're moving to Indiana! After several years of trying and circumstances just not being right, I've finally scored a flight instructing gig located in northern Indiana, so we're packing up and moving in just a few weeks. That leaves us with some crazy logistics to figure out though...

First up is all my firearm crap. I have many thousands of rounds of ammo of various calibers, plus the firearms, assorted accessories, etc. Of primary concern are the firearms themselves and the ammo/primers/powders. We're looking at using a P.O.D.S. to handle our stuff as we're going to need it to be stored for a bit while we AirBnB it and look for a house, and I'm 99.99% sure that ammo is considered a "hazardous substance" and thus can't (knowingly... :lol: ) be packed in one. Same for firearms. If anything happens, the contents of the PODS wouldn't be covered. So I'm thinking long and hard on that one...

Another option is for me to just fly back and either find a buddy willing to drive across the country with me and all that stuff, or rent an SUV or something and bring it back myself. We MAY be able to have family follow us out there with all that, but that's still unknown.

The second thing is motorcycles. Again, I'm looking for a buddy who'd be willing to make the drive either with their own truck or a rental while hauling two bikes, but the reality is I may need to sell one to help fund the move itself. Either way, freighting one bike from here to Indiana looks to be about $900 and I have two, so if anyone knows of any less expensive options I'm all ears. Neither bike is in a condition to make a 1,800 mile trip right now, or else I'd ride at least one of them back myself, but right now that's a no.

I'm all ears. We've never made a move of this magnitude before, and we only have a few weeks to figure things out (we're looking at leaving here sometime around the second week of March), so we're combing the interwebz and our friends for ideas and suggestions.

And no, before anyone asks, I'm not selling all my ammo and starting over. I'd rake in a BOATLOAD of money doing that, yes. But I have neither the time to do so, nor would I ever be able to rebuild my stash to anywhere near the same level in today's market, LOL. Thanks in advance!

 

[QuietM4]

Maybe look into renting the small one-way U-Haul truck or van for motorcycles and guns/ammo. 1,800 miles is a multi-day slog, but easily doable for less than the cost of shipping 2 motorcycles. Depending on the type/size of the bikes, the full sized van option might work out for you.

 

[EarlCordova]

My one and only suggestion would be a U-Haul truck.

 

[Basher]

So far, a U-Haul truck is still almost $2,000 before we figure in the cost of feeding such a gas guzzler. However, when I went and looked at those prices (my wife had already told me a U-Haul was expensive but I wanted to browse a little), I did find that a 5x9 open ramp trailer was a few hundred bucks, and I could rent a mid-sized SUV for about $650. That would have me just under a grand to move at least one bike and probably all my guns/ammo. Not sure about being able to two both bikes, but that might not matter anyway if I have to sell one to afford the move. Thanks for the tips, gentlemen! I'm open to any others you might have.

 

[Remow2112]

Buddy of mine did something similar. No bikes, but he and the wife rented a 14' Uhaul and used that. There is no reason you can't put the bikes in the back of a box truck. They have tie downs on the wall. Just load it all in there and go. It is gonna cost you no matter how you roll. With a 14 foot truck it is all just one thing.

 

[Drmark]

Penske box truck. Diesel.

 

[omegaman]

Sell it all off take the cash there.

 

[Crippledtrigger]

One way drop fees double the cost. It's cheaper to rent a trailer for a week and drive both ways. I've done that a couple times for folks.

If you were coming to texas I'd come help. Ya, useless I know.

 

[Basher]

One way drop fees double the cost. It's cheaper to rent a trailer for a week and drive both ways. I've done that a couple times for folks.

If you were coming to texas I'd come help. Ya, useless I know.

If I had 12+ days to spend driving out there, driving back, and then driving back out there again (putting 5,500 miles on my car in the process), then I might consider it. But then again, once your factor in the gas to make that trip THREE times instead of once, plus food and lodging along the way, it kinda kills the savings… :lol:

 

[Basher]

Sell it all off take the cash there.

Wanna know how I know you didn’t read my entire post?? :lol:

 

[Cmoor]

Maybe you can rent a van and pack everything inside it. I have done 3 cross country trips on two of them I rented a big truck and took everything myself. On the other trip I shipped everything except guns. Those I drove cross country myself. Shipping guns is not worth it if they loose them you wont get paid even a fraction of what they are worth. Shipping companies normally only pay you by the pound for what they loose and that is nowhere near the real value. Good luck with your move and the new job.

 

[sonofbp]

Why not buy a nice rust free box truck here to move the guns, ammo, and motorbikes.
Send the rest of your stuff by pods.
Sell nice rust free boxtruck in Indiana, potential profit and even if you lose money it'll be far cheaper than a one way rental.

 

[What]

I should be in town since Ill likely start in April for fire season

That said. I have 6x12 enclosed ramp door with my 2500HD gasser to take 2 motorcycles and guns/whatever else to fit to Indiana and back.

I'm good for driving non stop.

 

[any4xx]

Is it an option to leave some/most of it with a friend then come back for it as time permits? I’ve been lucky enough when making my long moves to be able to do it a little at a time. No way would I trust any movers to handle guns/ammo/motorcycles.

 

[Drmark]

I should be in town since Ill likely start in April for fire season

That said. I have 6x12 enclosed ramp door with my 2500HD gasser to take 2 motorcycles and guns/whatever else to fit to Indiana and back.

I'm good for driving non stop.

Very well done, sir!

 

[Gunslinger808]

Have you looked at Pods?
I know they do cross country shipping, not sure on the cost though.

 

[What]

Just an update. I'm called out for fire season. I'd got less than a week of time available to help with this move before I'll have to get ready for my relocation.

If you're wanting to bring motorcycle and guns. Fit whichever else in my truck (crew cab) and some in open bed. That works fine as I have 4x8 open trailer for moto transport .

Best of luck however you do with the move.

 

[Doc]

[mention]Basher[/mention] Did you already make the move?


Idk of gas prices have changed your plans. Just curious because the thread was at the top again.

 

[Basher]

Just an update. I'm called out for fire season. I'd got less than a week of time available to help with this move before I'll have to get ready for my relocation.

If you're wanting to bring motorcycle and guns. Fit whichever else in my truck (crew cab) and some in open bed. That works fine as I have 4x8 open trailer for moto transport .

Best of luck however you do with the move.

Thank you so much for the offer, and my sincere apologies on the delayed reply, we’ve been quite busy as you might imagine!

We were able to figure things out and get everything taken care of as family and several good friends were able to step forward and help us with the logistics. But THANK YOU for the generous offer! I’m really going to miss the AZS community and how awesome it is!!

 

[Doc]

Glad it got sorted out. If you get tired of the east just come on back.