Moving a toolbox to a new state

[xlowxyotax88x]

So my wife and I have decided to move from VA to new Orleans, we visited a few monthes back really liked it and decided to go for it. I'm an auto tech and it not sure how things will play out as far as will I have to go down before the house is sold ect but either way I will have to take my tools. I have a triple Bay matco 6s with hutch and a cart misc other tools. The cart and other items aren't really an issue but I'm trying to figure out how I will move the box. The box was ordered as a set so full length edge trim riveted in place I could separate them would be a little extra work but no issue but even then it's still only a fraction of the weight. I'll most likely have to take a u haul and rent a trailer as well to take one car with me I'm not sure the way to go with this as I don't have a truck and I've seen horrible videos of loading a box in a uhaul. And then there's the strapping it down. Don't want to empty it as that would be a lot of unpacking and repacking. Any ideas guys? Thought of palleting it up wrapping the piss out of it and freight but not sure on cost or time to get there.

 

[Torque&Recoil]

Wrap it heavily with shrink wrap to keep the drawers from opening. Use a truck with a lift gate to get the box into the truck. Throw a moving blanket over the box. Strap it to the wall of the truck with ratchet straps that engage the E-track on the wall of the truck. Drive to New Orleans.

 

[Snapped-off]

I just moved a couple months ago from Connecticut to California. 56" and 36" boxes were in the trailer, full of tools. the 36 was strapped to the e-track on the wall and floor, the 56 was strapped to the floor with 3 2" ratchet straps and some blocks.

I used my own trailer, but next time I'll probably use a rental truck. I'd definitely try to get one with a lift gate, which I think would rule out U-haul. I've also seen a couple vids of nice boxes tipping over going up the ramp.

I would be fine with ratchet straps as long as they are appropriately sized and strapped.

 

[Max]

I haven’t moved a Matco box, but I did move two craftsman 26” stacks that were absolutely full of tools from CA to GA. I used a Penske truck with a ramp.

I agree that a liftgate is the way to go. But if you can’t get one, take the drawers out of the box before you go up the ramp. This makes it easy to get the box into the truck, and then once it’s there you load the drawers back in. Make sure that you wrap a thick blanket around the box as otherwise the straps or junk near the box will rub against it and mess up your paint. Also use straps and not rope as the straps are more secure and spread the force out better.

Max

 

[cvairwerks]

You're in the 2-4K lb range on weight when loaded with tools. Spend the easy bucks and have a rollback load it in the truck and one unload it at the other end. Most rental trucks do not have lift gates that will stay completely level. They tend to have the ramp end droop several inches as they travel up and down. That's enough change to dump the box off the back, especially if it's loaded. Seen it happen with top heavy loads even on pallets.

 

[Mr_B]

I never do long haul with a box heavy loaded, take out some of the weight as drawers and frame will thank you for little extra effort ...
They are a big pisser mover fully loaded too ...

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

Didn't honestly think of lift gate truck being a one way rental but then again my box barely fit on my snap on guys lift gate and his liftgate is bigger than most delivery trucks I've seen. I did think about the rollback to truck idea as a easy way to get it in an out just didn't know if there were some smarter ideas out there. If it was a smaller box is have no issues but 72 long and 72 tall is a big box to wrangle empty let alone loaded. I'll definitely have it wrapped up and cared for and will have no issues strapping down just the loading part I was going back and forth with

 

[seber]

The easy way is to rent a pod. Have it set on the ground for loading and let the rental company do the move. It may not cost any more than renting a one way truck. You will still need to winch the boxes up the ramp, but it will be a shallow slope.

 

[cvairwerks]

The easy way is to rent a pod. Have it set on the ground for loading and let the rental company do the move. It may not cost any more than renting a one way truck. You will still need to winch the boxes up the ramp, but it will be a shallow slope.

Unless they've changed them recently, there's nothing to secure a tool box to the walls other than a 1x4 board. The sides are simply a heavy opaque plastic sheet.

 

[joe_padavano]

take the drawers out of the box before you go up the ramp.

This is how I've moved my boxes every time, using only my pickup and a Uhaul trailer. Not a big deal.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I never do long haul with a box heavy loaded, take out some of the weight as drawers and frame will thank you for little extra effort ...
They are a big pisser mover fully loaded too ...

+1 on this. The drawer capacity is only 232 lbs. You generate a lot of accelleration bouncing a tool box on a tightly sprung trailer. So if you have heavy tools in your drawers, you risk brinelling the bearings of the drawer slides or worse. If in doubt, call Matco and get their recommendation.

 

[manwithtools]

The easy way is to rent a pod. Have it set on the ground for loading and let the rental company do the move. It may not cost any more than renting a one way truck. You will still need to winch the boxes up the ramp, but it will be a shallow slope.

The PODS have weight limitations that might preclude a box that big and heavy. I'd check the specs very closely before trying that route.

 

[BajaScout]

I just moved a couple months ago from Connecticut to California. 56" and 36" boxes were in the trailer, full of tools. the 36 was strapped to the e-track on the wall and floor, the 56 was strapped to the floor with 3 2" ratchet straps and some blocks.

I used my own trailer, but next time I'll probably use a rental truck. I'd definitely try to get one with a lift gate, which I think would rule out U-haul. I've also seen a couple vids of nice boxes tipping over going up the ramp.

I would be fine with ratchet straps as long as they are appropriately sized and strapped.

People moving TO California? It was just starting to get quiet here

Watch out for the cancer causing labels.

 

[manwithtools]

People moving TO California? It was just starting to get quiet here

Watch out for the cancer causing labels.

Just moved to CA a few months ago myself. We still need to get together at some point Baja. I'm here and settled now, PM me and we'll setup a time that works for both of us.

I've gotten quite the laugh from some of the labels, see the following on a rental car from a few months ago:

 

[ItsNemo]

Just empty the damn box...it's not a lot of work, even on big boxes, and you're pretty well assured no damage that way.

 

[BajaScout]

Just moved to CA a few months ago myself. We still need to get together at some point Baja. I'm here and settled now, PM me and we'll setup a time that works for both of us.



I've gotten quite the laugh from some of the labels, see the following on a rental car from a few months ago:

Sounds like you are all settled in. Hope the move worked out fine. My sister lives in Ranchita (other side of Julian) so I drive through Ramona periodically or meet her there. I retire October 31 so my schedule will be wide open.

I will PM you when I know I will be in the area.

 

[vavet]

Even if you can find a truck with a lift gates you’re going to pay more for it. You still have a lot of risk with that approach. Spend the money and hire a rollback. There’s a time to try to save money. Moving your $6000 toolbox is not it.

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

I'm thinking th rollback to truck is gonna be the winner

 

[iWrench]

I live in New Orleans, well actually just outside the city across the river in Jefferson Parish. Where about in the area are you looking to move? I'm also an auto tech. What kind of shop do you work in now?

 

[xlowxyotax88x]

I live in New Orleans, well actually just outside the city across the river in Jefferson Parish. Where about in the area are you looking to move? I'm also an auto tech. What kind of shop do you work in now?

Not sure really we've been looking at houses and I personally like having some yard and room my wife likes the close neighborhoods it seems like. When we visited we stayed very close to the French quarter and liked the area, but we went to city park i believe it was called and took the kids to story book land and I really liked that area, I'm more worried about floods and the unknowns/unexpected honestly. I've always been independent shops did body work/restoration work for 10 years and the last 5 I've been in the other side which I enjoy MUCH better lol. I prefer Asian cars Toyota Honda and Subaru are my favorite but i work on all. Not a master tech but much more than a parts slinger. I'd be interested to talk to you

 

[iWrench]

Ah cool. I own a subie myself, picked up a 16 sti last year. There's tons of indy shops and dealerships around here, not actually in the city itself but in the New Orleans Metro area in the parish (county) where I live. I don't wanna type a novel here haha so I'll send you a PM.

 

[Snapped-off]

People moving TO California? It was just starting to get quiet here

Watch out for the cancer causing labels.

2nd time being stationed here. I would never live here, but it's a great place to be stationed in my opinion.

 

[BajaScout]

2nd time being stationed here. I would never live here, but it's a great place to be stationed in my opinion.

San Diego in my opinion is one of the better places in California. Been here most of my life except when I was stationed overseas. Traffic is about my only complaint. Fortunately I have owned a house here for 30+ years. Real estate is too expensive for sure.