Packing Tools for a Cross Country Move

[Plombob]

The Plombobs have had enough of the hassles of California and are moving to Tennessee. I'm wondering how I should pack the tools in my roll aways. Anyone have advice for a long move? I'll probably drive the load in a Uhaul.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'm planning a move in a while.

Been picking up Greenlee/jobox/knack boxes I use for outside storage now. But when the move comes I will place them on trailer and load them up with sockets, wrenches, etc.

That way the weight doesn't beat my listas/vidmars to **** on the highway.

I get the boxes for 100 or less at yard sales or CL.

 

[Agentwho]

I would say load to the tools themselves into several smaller boxes then lock/ strap the drawers shut on the box and load everything up. There are two reasons for doing it this way instead of just moving the box with stuff in it. One. It will cut the weight down into easier to manage bits, a box fully loaded is heavy. Two. I've seen to many times when someone new shows up with their box and the drawers are jammed closed because something inside has shifted and is mucking up the works.

I'll add a third. get all the people you can to help with the move! Many hands make lite work yeah Good luck with the move.

 

[lotsoftools]

I just did this. I rolled the 42" box up to the back of the U-Haul. We lifted the top box off and slid it in. Then we rolled the bottom box up the ramp. Full of tools, heavy as ****, no problems. I just strapped the boxes in so they wouldn't slide/roll around.
Other tools went into various boxes for the move.

 

[zktk01]

I can store them at my house for ya, just another service I provide.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd probably use a combination of sorts. Put some in boxes, some in 5 gallon buckets, leave the bigger stuff in the drawers. I could see a drawer full of small stuff flying around jamming up the drawers. Cali to Tennessee though. Why Tennessee? Thats a big change.

 

[crewchief888]

i moved all my tools and boxes 1200 miles by myself in a 17ft uhaul.
top/mid boxes got slid off the roller cabs onto the deck, some of the rollers were forklifted on full of tools. others rolled up the ramp unloaded.

i did move some of the heavy stuff out of the drawers and into milk crates and 5 gal buckets.
ratchet strapped and wedged heavy stuff against the boxes to keep them from moving around. nothing moved around or got damage in the move.

unloading wasnt fun, (i was by myself), i removed all the drawers, roller cabs went down the ramp, slid the top and mid boxes back onto the rollers, and reinstalled all the drawers.

i had a total of 4 roller cabs, 2 mid boxes, 2 top boxes, 5 side boxes,
welder, air compressor.

 

[kd3pc]

having done this twice...I learned from the first move - that while all the tools stayed in the box, many shifted around and small stuff bounced out of the drawers and fell to the bottom. I had to remove at least a bottom drawer if not two, to retrieve the little things.

SO, on the second move, I laid towels on top of things in the drawer, and I put 4x4s under the box (the roll around casters, even when locked, moved too much) and those two things solved the problems in the first move.

Best of luck, and of course strap them down, tight!!

 

[geartow]

i moved mine loaded but used shrink wrapp around the box to keep the drawers shut

 

[Empty Pockets]

Last time I moved, I unloaded the tools from the big boxes, each drawer into it's own plastic shoe box or sweater box (Sterlite Plastics) from WalMart. The drawers were locked in place (empty). Individual plastic boxes were then loaded into the truck.

On arrival at the new house, the big boxes were all fine, with no messed up slides, tools were sorted and put back in their rightful homes.

Good luck on the move to you Polmbob, and to the rest of the Plombob family

 

[jakemac]

When I moved 8yrs ago, I didn't have a tool chest at the time. But I did have some heavy shipping crates that I kept many tools in. Loose tools were packed in totes, organized by storage location.

When I rented the truck from Ryder, I paid extra for one with a lift gate. It made loading and unloading heavy items much easier. No worries about wobbly ramps.

Pack the toolboxes in the truck with the drawers against the wall so they can't open. Put a packing blanket between to protect from scratches.

 

[kd3pc]

BTW, welcome to TN,

Starting our 6th year on the Cumberland Plateau

 

[md21722]

A lift gate would be nice. In the past we used some ramps and a sheet of plywood & that was in a light duty Home Depot bottom & top box. We ended up taking the drawers out, then loading them back in, and doing the same when we got where we were going. A much heavier tool box would be even harder. Use moving blankets to wrap things and then strap it down good.

Depending on your climate in CA, TN is going to be more humid. Probably not such a big deal in a pro shop environment, but if these are in an outbuilding, be on the look out for condensate on your tools and deal with it before it rusts them.

 

[vettex2]

I rolled my boxes into the truck as is and all was well when I arrived.

My boxes are full though.

YMMV

 

[ttpete]

I'd tie the boxes down in the front of the cargo area where they'll get the least shock. The worst place would be over the rear axle.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I moved from Arizona a dry climate obviously to North Carolina so I know about humidity and I have posted previously some of the problems associated with my tools.

First thing though I would start off by getting a Penske truck as opposed to UHaul. You will appreciate diesel and the better adequate capacity.

Hard to find a lift gate to go cross-country especially with Penske But it would sure make it nice. I agree with other posters suggesting moving a large amount of the tools to smaller more manageable boxes which will cut the wear and tear on your toolbox drawers.

Good luck with removed and be safe.

 

[Ray-CA]

We moved two roller sets from Central Calif to the San Diego area. I locked the drawers, put ratcheting straps around them (both directions) and then wrapped the whole thing with the plastic wrap film that palatalized loads are secured with. Everything stayed in place.

Ray

 

[Plombob]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll put the tools in tubs and buckets so that the cabs don't get ruined. I may look into buying a hi cube truck rather than renting one. A lift gate is a great suggestion!

I'd probably use a combination of sorts. Put some in boxes, some in 5 gallon buckets, leave the bigger stuff in the drawers. I could see a drawer full of small stuff flying around jamming up the drawers. Cali to Tennessee though. Why Tennessee? Thats a big change.

If I listed all of the reasons why we are done with CA, this thread would get locked. I hate the traffic, the people are rude, taxes and other costs too high. We have friends in TN and every time I visit it feels more like home. I am ready for a slower pace. I'll also get a large home and garage with some property after the sale of our small home here.

I've had to deal with the bureaucrats in both states. IF you can get them on the phone in CA, they are rude and unhelpful. In TN, they answer the phone and are a delight to work with. When I thanked one for being so kind, she said "Call back anytime. We are here to hep you!"

 

[KM223]

I would highly suggest a lift gate!

 

[Plombob]

BTW, welcome to TN,

Starting our 6th year on the Cumberland Plateau

Thanks! I'm not there yet. We anticipate a move in the fall.