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[Editing again: Let's stick the parameters of these options. I'm not hiring movers for this. I'm not doing a POD. Between these two choices, and perhaps a 3rd choice of renting a giant Uhaul truck which I might consider, please provide feedback.]
Okay, so many of you contributed greatly to the moving and truck buying plan. Much appreciation and it made me consider many options. THANK YOU!
With my anticipated weights, and my inexperience with owning a truck and hauling long-distance, it has made me really re-analyze my skillset and the practical nature of it. Also, I have a competent Toyota 4 Runner able to tow smaller loads. My truck-purchase plan would require me to leave that behind, and retrieve it, making a separate trip back here a necessity. I've done a bit more thinking.
I have towed small trailers full of stuff locally and my longest haul was a few hours with a load of lumber in a medium sized trailer with no issues whatsoever.
I probably have 14k lbs to move, plus or minus 10%. It's about a 9 hour drive to my destination, Boise, from Tacoma.
My 4Runner is at 200,000 miles and is competent with no known issues. Has a V8 and the following specs. The advantage is that I know the vehicle since day 1 and it's been well maintained and not abused and done very little (5 times) towing. It has a V8 with tow package and is 4WD.
Base engine size 4.7 Liters
Base engine type V-8
Horsepower 235 Hp
Horsepower rpm 4,800
Torque 320 Lb-Ft.
Torque rpm 3,400
Payload 1,215 Lbs.
Maximum towing capacity 7,000 Lbs.
Drive type Four-Wheel
Turning radius 18.3 ''
A friend suggested having the 4Runner transmission and vehicle professionally serviced, which is a good idea anyway. I just put new tires on it. Get the brakes serviced professionally, and get a trailer brake system installed.
A truck would require probably:
1st loaded trip (~7k lbs) to ID and unloaded trip return
2nd loaded trip with remainder to ID and drop off trailer.
3rd trip back (not sure how) to retrieve vehicle.
* Disadvantage is that this all has to occur in a short exhausing timeframe right after closing and I have only 5 days, requiring buying truck and trailer, and loading and moving in a short window.
* Another disadvantage is I have two dogs, and I'm not sure how I'm going to factor that in to this plan. My dog watching plan ends at that time.
Current 4Runner plan:
3 loaded trips (~4k lbs) to ID and unloaded back.
4th trip loaded (with remainder) to ID and remain.
*Advantage is I can spread this out over the next month, and double it up with necessary trips to see the area, look at houses, etc.
* Advantage is I don't have to rush to get a truck and trailer at closing, pay taxes on them, etc. and save probably $15K-$20K I don't need to spend right now.
* Advantage is that I don't have to return to retrieve a vehicle.
* I currently have a good plan for the dogs until closing so that would alleviate some stress.
* Efficiency advantage: I probably need to make 1 or 2 trips to ID before I close anyway, to scout housing. It would be a good idea I think. So I could factor 1 trip loaded to increase efficiency.
* It's only 1 more trip, and the loads are smaller and presumably easier.
Trailer:
Of course some have suggested renting a trailer. I could buy one instead. That comes with pros and cons.
Owning Pro: Ownership, no rush, no extra trips to Uhaul, and sell and recoup all $ when I'm done. Also, since everything probably going into storage I'll need to repeat all of this locally again... so ownership makes more sense in that regard.
Renting Pro: I have to bring unloaded trailer back to WA one/three times. I could just rent a trailer for one-way trips each leg of the move. Also, I don't have to buy and can just rent when needed.
The other consideration is simply renting a place to deposit stuff for a few weeks which I might do... that's a different problem to solve.
Feedback?
Okay, so many of you contributed greatly to the moving and truck buying plan. Much appreciation and it made me consider many options. THANK YOU!
With my anticipated weights, and my inexperience with owning a truck and hauling long-distance, it has made me really re-analyze my skillset and the practical nature of it. Also, I have a competent Toyota 4 Runner able to tow smaller loads. My truck-purchase plan would require me to leave that behind, and retrieve it, making a separate trip back here a necessity. I've done a bit more thinking.
I have towed small trailers full of stuff locally and my longest haul was a few hours with a load of lumber in a medium sized trailer with no issues whatsoever.
I probably have 14k lbs to move, plus or minus 10%. It's about a 9 hour drive to my destination, Boise, from Tacoma.
My 4Runner is at 200,000 miles and is competent with no known issues. Has a V8 and the following specs. The advantage is that I know the vehicle since day 1 and it's been well maintained and not abused and done very little (5 times) towing. It has a V8 with tow package and is 4WD.
Base engine size 4.7 Liters
Base engine type V-8
Horsepower 235 Hp
Horsepower rpm 4,800
Torque 320 Lb-Ft.
Torque rpm 3,400
Payload 1,215 Lbs.
Maximum towing capacity 7,000 Lbs.
Drive type Four-Wheel
Turning radius 18.3 ''
A friend suggested having the 4Runner transmission and vehicle professionally serviced, which is a good idea anyway. I just put new tires on it. Get the brakes serviced professionally, and get a trailer brake system installed.
A truck would require probably:
1st loaded trip (~7k lbs) to ID and unloaded trip return
2nd loaded trip with remainder to ID and drop off trailer.
3rd trip back (not sure how) to retrieve vehicle.
* Disadvantage is that this all has to occur in a short exhausing timeframe right after closing and I have only 5 days, requiring buying truck and trailer, and loading and moving in a short window.
* Another disadvantage is I have two dogs, and I'm not sure how I'm going to factor that in to this plan. My dog watching plan ends at that time.
Current 4Runner plan:
3 loaded trips (~4k lbs) to ID and unloaded back.
4th trip loaded (with remainder) to ID and remain.
*Advantage is I can spread this out over the next month, and double it up with necessary trips to see the area, look at houses, etc.
* Advantage is I don't have to rush to get a truck and trailer at closing, pay taxes on them, etc. and save probably $15K-$20K I don't need to spend right now.
* Advantage is that I don't have to return to retrieve a vehicle.
* I currently have a good plan for the dogs until closing so that would alleviate some stress.
* Efficiency advantage: I probably need to make 1 or 2 trips to ID before I close anyway, to scout housing. It would be a good idea I think. So I could factor 1 trip loaded to increase efficiency.
* It's only 1 more trip, and the loads are smaller and presumably easier.
Trailer:
Of course some have suggested renting a trailer. I could buy one instead. That comes with pros and cons.
Owning Pro: Ownership, no rush, no extra trips to Uhaul, and sell and recoup all $ when I'm done. Also, since everything probably going into storage I'll need to repeat all of this locally again... so ownership makes more sense in that regard.
Renting Pro: I have to bring unloaded trailer back to WA one/three times. I could just rent a trailer for one-way trips each leg of the move. Also, I don't have to buy and can just rent when needed.
The other consideration is simply renting a place to deposit stuff for a few weeks which I might do... that's a different problem to solve.
Feedback?
Last Edited: