How To Pack Your Collection In A Move!

[Edward Tinker]

well, I just moved in Aug-October from Penn to Washington state. For guns - I shipped a few in a POD that I had my sons stuff in, everything else I packed and moved in my vehicle. Have Jeep, will travel
AND, here was a comment I wrote on the S&W forum a few days ago, it references the complete move asking suggestions on how much a move cost, sorry to bore you;

Okay, I will try not to bore you too much, but I just did this. Moved from Pennsylvania to Washington state in August to October 2017
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I was Army for 20 yrs, so moved multiple times, then after 'retirement' each job I had, they moved us from our army retirement from Palouse, WA to Castle Rock CO, then job took me to Pennsylvania, again, full moving company.
After 9 yrs+ we wanted to move home - it took a lot of money and effort. 2100 Sq Ft house to a larger house, I got rid of a lot, but not near enough. AND, you'll run into issues.

Here is what we did.
*Took items down to the corner for free giveaway, gave boxes to goodwill, gave items to friends, still should have gotten rid of more
***Hired two guys to bring everything from the basement and then put it into the garage (plus cleaned the basement lightly), this allowed me to get rid of some items and then put them in an easy location. $400 for day of work.
*****Rented Pod ($300 a month storage and $3200 to ship from Penn to Washington state) - loaded it myself
*******As we got nearer to moving my wife out, I got the largest Uhaul (cheapest of the three moving companies) and got a car hauler - never get a car dolly unless a short distance. Hired team of 3 or 4 to load the UHaul truck. Drove with wife, and 2 dogs (leaving behind 1 dog in kennel and cats and parrot) - lucky to get over 65mph, usually was doing 55 or so. Cost around $3800 plus about $1200+ (? maybe a bit less, I don't remember, but was getting about 8 miles to the gallon times 2300 miles) in gas and not counting hotel costs.
Family came up (180 miles, but so much closer than I have been!) and they helped me unload into garage, plus many items into house
**Flew back to Philly
****Got 2nd Pod (hired two guys to load Pod ($300) - monthly $300 and shipping to WA $3200
I stayed an extra 40 days or so, maybe should have stayed longer, but wanted to start new life in WA (where I grew up).
******Got largest Uhaul trailer that my Jeep was allowed - which was a 12x6 - loaded it myself - drove almost non-stop because of dog, 3 cats and parrot (It was October, so too cold to leave parrot in jeep) - LONG friggin trip, long - awful gas mileage. $1200 plus about $600+ for gas.
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Unloaded myself once I got here with wife.
I maxed out two credit cards and borrow money from my family..... and the stress was great - expect much more expenses than expected and lots of sore muscles - hire help if you can afford it!
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***********BUT, I would do it again in a heartbeat!************
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