Moving, question on moving tools and box.

[NC-Shaun]

I am about to move and prepping my garage. I have a 2 piece 26 inch tool box loaded to the gills.

I have a 6x12 utility trailer to haul my shop and household items 750 miles one way. Due to weight limits of my truck and trailer i will be making 2 trips, one for my household items, and most of the garage stuff and a second for misc leftovers and my harley and dual sport bike.

The question is, would you remove the tools from the toolbox and box them up seperately, and haul the box empty, or would you roll the lower box in strap it against wall loaded with tools (i have e track system installed) and sit the top box on floor and strap it down to wall or floor also loaded with tools?

Thank You, this is a first for me, the last move I barely had any tools. This time that isnt the case. I just dont wanna damage my box haulin it loaded to max weight. i just dont know if that is even an issue or not.

 

[joeyd01]

Every time I moved when I was in the coast guard I always did a dity move meaning I moved it all and was paid weight and miles. I would always put my tools in close to last just in case I had a breakdown and needed them.

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[AceofSpad3s]

I would unload them, I would bet a nut that the boxes are going to get roughed up if you keep them loaded. Plus, I bet it would sound like hell when you are driving if you keep it loaded.

 

[619DioFan]

I work in the moving and storage industry ( allied vanlines ) I have moved 1oo's of tool boxes of all sizes. I have never unloaded any of them ( including my own ) I shrink wrap them then pad wrapped them and load 'em. you can get full size rolls of shrink wrap at HF. never had any customer claims filed regarding toolbox damages hauling them loaded.

With your move being 750 miles one way you may want to consider renting a 24 foot truck and making one trip ( have someone else drive your truck with trailer/bikes ) any moving questions please feel free to ask.

 

[Robby321]

When I cross country moved 21 years ago, had a LOT of tool boxes, many more "bench tools", many plastic drawer boxes with all kinds "stuff". I just locked the boxes, Saran Wrapped and packing tape the stowage drawer stuff, pack it all in the UHaul, shove in the 2 Harleys, and then the house stuff last. 24 foot and it was heavy, but did just fine.

 

[Robbie UK]

I used foam and/or inflated some vacuum storage bags in the drawers just to stop everything rattling around. No dramas and no fuss.

 

[ZRX61]

If the box is imported I'd be tempted to empty it so the weight doesn't cause the drawers to collapse as it all bounces about. I've moved a few by taking the drawers out of the carcass.

 

[Can I try?]

Another vote here for leaving the box loaded.

When moving you need to maximize your use of time and space. Unloading the box achieves neither. The box can handle it.

If you've got it packed to the gills then the contents shouldn't rattle around too much. I would just lock the drawers and ratchet strap the top box to the bottom box. Just use one strap and wrap it around both boxes vertically. I've done it this way before. Then just secure it to the trailer as needed, so that it won't tip. If it's an extra-special-protect-the-finish-at-all-costs type of box then I would also add some shrink wrap or moving blankets into the mix as needed.

Good luck.

 

[ssdave]

I just did what you are; moved 1050 miles. I took my tools out of my two boxes (masterforce 40 inch and Performax 26"). I also took a lot of the machinist tools out of my Kennedy roll-aways, which are lighter duty than the mechanic tool boxes. Took 26 milk crates to hold them all, and most of those crates were well over 100 pounds. I left some of the lighter stuff in the drawers. I know I was up to the top of the weight limit of the tool boxes, and many drawers at the top limit. I doubted that the roller glides would all arrive intact if the drawers were fully loaded, and the bumping/bouncing in the truck might have bent the box frames if fully loaded also. It worked for me, don't know if it would have with the boxes loaded. Plus, would have been a real ordeal to get them rolled up the ramp into the truck. Was hard enough with the partially filled boxes weighing 800 pounds.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I work in the moving and storage industry ( allied vanlines ) I have moved 1oo's of tool boxes of all sizes. I have never unloaded any of them ( including my own ) I shrink wrap them then pad wrapped them and load 'em. you can get full size rolls of shrink wrap at HF. never had any customer claims filed regarding toolbox damages hauling them loaded.

With your move being 750 miles one way you may want to consider renting a 24 foot truck and making one trip ( have someone else drive your truck with trailer/bikes ) any moving questions please feel free to ask.

I already got the shrink wrap, and I am gonna wrap the box in shrink wrap then moving blankets, then shrink wrap again.

Logistics work out for making 2 trips, I dont have anywhere to put my bikes when I get to destination anyway. I ahve to do a quick freshen up on the wood shop to set it up for bike shop before I bring bikes anyway. plus I am stuck in a lease paying rent until 10/30 at this location and that includes my 2 garages. No way i am lettin anyone haul my custom built bikes or driving my truck!!! Thank you for your input

 

[NC-Shaun]

Lots of great info here guys! Thanks so much for your time to reply, this move has been long overdue. Big changes happening, and I am really excited!

 

[dodge610]

Another vote on moving it loaded. I moved my triple bay matco box loaded. Padded the heck out of it and strapped it down. Very few tools moved. And a heck of a lot esier to move loaded saved me a lot of time.

 

[killer cougar]

Moved my 26" Craftsman from NC to TX and then from TX back to NC in two years fully loaded. The key to it is you have full control of the move and its not someone else moving your box.

 

[bobemmerich]

I moved a little over a year ago. I left mine loaded (3 tier Kennedy, 2 tier Husky and a couple misc small boxes) but broke them down for "safer" moving. it took 2 of us to take them apart, but it was worth it. I didn't have to worry about them moving around or falling over.

 

[owenst7]

I was in an extreme hurry a few years ago and flew up to Alaska to collect my trailer and some of my tools and drive them down the kassiar highway to Reno. I had a craftsman 27" quiet glide stack that was severely overloaded and I was pretty sure the wheels would break or crush in to the frame doing 3200 miles on crappy roads. I just laid it on its side with the drawers locked. Of course it jumbled everything up inside, but it survived the trip without getting banged up. I would have done something more ideal, but I got off the plane and had 36 hours to procure parts, rebuild the hubs, load the trailer, and build an enclosure to keep everything out of the weather Lol.

Next time I move I'm probably going to build a little 2x4 frame to take some of the weight off the caster and remove any of the really heavy drawers. If you think about the bending moment that is on a drawer slide when it is fully extended, you really shouldn't have to worry about the stress when the drawers are shut.

 

[340wedge]

I asked this question here a few years ago and got a great answer, I kept the boxes loaded and shrink wrapped them. From NY to SC and not a scratch! ( I did remove some heavy items like hammers, but kept most tools in the boxes)

 

[AaronArf]

This very question has me debating on whether to buy the HF 44" box I've been eyeing or just wait it out until after I move from VA to MD. I really hate moving!

 

[NC-Shaun]

Your knowledge and input is very much appreciated, Thank You all. I will remove some of the heavier items in the drawers, wrap it in shrink wrap, then moving blankets, then shrink wrap again. Then I will strap it to the front of my trailer using the e track setup i just installed. I think the trailer will provide the smoothest ride up front, by the vehicle so that should make it smoother. From there i will start loading the rear section of the trailer to offset the tongue weight and let the trailer balance out.

I may take the top chest off the lower roller just to reduce load on the casters and strap it to the floor. I still have some E Track singles I can mount as needed to give me more versatility in securing cargo.

I will take some pics of the inside of the trailer I just setup with E Track. Part of the reason I am choosing to avoid a moving truck rental is so I can spend the money on things that will benefit me in the future. Tryin to be think of the bigger picture rather than whats easiest.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I've always moved with tools in the box. Never had an issue.

 

[M6erfan]

I've moved my 26" stack several times and always unloaded it. I figured it would put less stress on the box

 

[camd64]

My last move was about 1,700 miles and my box is probably loaded way more than it should be so I pulled out some of the loose stuff I knew would rattle around. I ended up with a couple heavy duty totes and all the stuff inside wrapped up with towels. The boxes I covered with moving blankets and just ratchet strapped them to the moving trucks walls. Arrived just fine.

 

[NC-Shaun]

So far i have wrapped all of my chisels, drive extensions, flare wrenches,stubbys,offsets and box ends. i had the boxes to all of my cased impact sockets so I just stuck them back in the boxes. I also had the boxes for my 3/8,1/2 impact guns, and 3/8 air ratchet. I just have to remove the air fitting from them to make em go back in their original boxes.

I was able to clear out about 1 tote of outdated and worn out camping gear, which is nice to do. For the most part though I am a minimalist so not much fat to trim short of leftovers of oils, cleaners, etc... I feel like I have accomplished alot over the last few weeks, but still feel overwhelmed since i am a one man show. Downside to living in a tourist town is you gotta be careful who you are friends with.

 

[atomicpunk]

The only time I removed the drawers from my boxes while moving them is when I couldn't use a truck with a lift gate. There was no way 2 people could lift them into a pickup bed loaded. Every other time the drawers were in them loaded with tools.

 

[garthg]

I asked this question here a few years ago and got a great answer, I kept the boxes loaded and shrink wrapped them. From NY to SC and not a scratch! ( I did remove some heavy items like hammers, but kept most tools in the boxes)

When we moved the movers did the same thing. Our stuff went into storage for three months. My tool boxes came out without anything missing or broken. However, the plastic interacted with the finish on my Craftsman/Waterloo tool boxes and put a wrinkled finish on the paint.

Next time, I would wrap brown paper around the boxes, then shrink wrap everything; especially if it were going into storage for any period of time.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I have removed and wrapped all of my Harley specialty tools (mostly heavy stuff) and boxed them with all 3 of my impacts. I may also partially unload my impact socket drawer as well. The rest of the stuff is lightweight smalls, and will just be wrapped to prevent marring the inside of the drawers.

I am on day 3 of prepping for the move, I think i have made a big dent in the list of tasks.

 

[jn503084]

We just bought a house in May, the movers moved my 44'' HF box with 2 side cabs loaded with all the drawers installed. They shrink-wrapped it and covered it in moving blankets. It was intact, dent free and only some wrenches fell off the racks. My pliers drawer looked exactly the same(greasy mess)..

 

[PugetDude]

No way i am lettin anyone haul my custom built bikes or driving my truck!!!

This speaks volumes.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Takin a break from boxing garage stuff, I am kinda gettin burnt out. It has been crappy weather in the Southeast with non stop blowing rain and humidity that makes being in the garages really ****. My bike chocks are supposed to be here today, so I will need to mount them in the trailer. They are the quick detatch kind so I can mount em up, then remove them from the docking hardware left in the floor.

So the list looks like this

1. Mount wheel chocks and test fit bikes before I wrap up packing my tools.

2. Get the passenger front tire balanced on my truck cuz it slung a weight and is shaking.

3. Wrap box in movers blanket, then shrink wrap it.

4. Load trailer.

5. I forgot the best part! leavin this dump, the crappy property manager, humidity, rain, traffic, high rent, no privacy, and headin to the mountains!