So it looks like I'm moving back to good ol' NY NY...(from Miami)
But got a pretty big move and am very short handed...looking for advice from those that have done it...

Here's the deal,
1400+miles
roughly 3beds+typical "other stuff" (L.R., Kitch, garage)
4 friggin cars ('95 Miata, '08 Jetta, '06 Infiniti (suv), '04 Mazda3)

It's really only me and the wife, and a 6month old. All family is in NY, some friends down here that I can probably count on.

So whats the deal?? I'd obviously like to do this cost effectively, but have to factor in that I don't have much help without really pulling big favors...

Got a quote from/for:
-Uhaul Truck = $900+fuel, tolls, etc (approx $600)
-Uhaul car carrier = $287
-POD unit shipped to Ny = $2406
-Auto transport = $2400 for all 4 cars (2nd quote for $3700!)


Obviously I have to come up a compromise of some sorts... I don't think I want to pay for a "hands off" move $2400pod + $2400+ cars +$500 for flights to NY = $5300+total...
And I don't think I can find the manpower for a "hands on" move $1500 truck, $1000 for fuel tolls to drive all cars....plus I'd have to consider airfare for those willing to help me drive...

The obvious choice looks a compromise of the 2...just not sure what I wanna do, or whats best...

Any suggests/advice appreciated

 

Oh so I give you money for a part and now your moving to another state. You must be scamming me.


Seems like it would be smart getting rid of some cars, or store 2 in Miami until its more convenient to get them. Your wife could drive one, and you could drive the truck with a car hauler. I've never been, but do you really need 4 cars in NY?

 

Lol, yea apparently I've been uncovered...

It's a long story with the cars, but I'll try and keep it simple...
Miata---no friggin way I'm selling
Mazda3--sentimental value, and will become a primary vehicle in 12months
Infiniti--lease is up in 12months (see above)
Jetta--leased and keeping

Basically, the Mazda3 was inherited and I don't want to sell. I currently drive the VW, and have fun with Miata. Wife drives the Infiniti. Once Infiniti lease is up (12months), the wife will take the Jetta, I will DD the Mazda3, and still use Miata as fun/project car...

Storing in Miami, is a longshot but possible. It's gonna take me some time to sell my house, so i could leave them in my garage, but really don't want to. Trying to do this all in 1 shot really...and then when the house sells, they can overnight the docs to me in NY so no need to fly...
I really want to just move onto the next phase of my life...

 

With three people:

Load Uhaul with whatever you can fit. You will need a couple of bodies anyway.

Drive Jetta (best milage) (wife drives with child)
Tow Miata with the Infiniti on two wheel dolly (friend)
Tow 3 on car trailer with Uhaul (you)
Ship POD for the balance.

Fly one friend back home.

 

I was actually thinking something along these lines, BUT 1 flaw.
The POD charge is what it is. So whether its 1/2 full, or totally full its the same $2400. If I fill it up, I'd eliminate any need for a Uhaul, which means 1 more car on the road+1 more driver needed...
But I was thinking it...

Funny, I bought an 18wheeler (53' trailer) with a buddy.
I can prob fit all my stuff and 2-3cars in it. But its not realistic for safety, legal, etc reasons....

 

Get two u haul trucks and tow two cars behind each. That is legal in Texas. You might and see if it is legal elsewhere.

I have a friend who just moved via PODs and everything was fine. They call ahead of time and everything. I flew up and drove third car back.
Stephanie

 

I'm sure 2 trucks/towing woul dbe legal, but I think it'd be defeating the purpose as I will still need a driver for the 2nd truck. Might as well just get 1 big truck, and drive the car whick will get 25mpg vs truck = 12mpg (i'm thinking)

I prob just need to recruit some people and see what kind of manpower i have, and crunch the numbers vs effort needed...

If I put the Miata (or any other car ) on a trailer (not 2wheel dolly) do I need to still remove the driveshaft? I would think not, but for some reason Uhaul site says to remove it even though I select the trailer NOT dolly

 

No need to remove DS if car is on a trailer.

 

Heres my cheap idea:

Liquidate the STUFF: you can always get more stuff. Craigslist is your friend. Of course keep al the garage stuff.

Then for moving... Get one large Uhaul truck. Put the Miata INSIDE the truck, and pack stuff around. Put mazda 3 on trailer, or jetta, (whichever is lighter) Even a dolly, with both of those front wheel drive cars.

Then drive the Infinity up.

IF you have too much stuff the POD might have to be a last resort...

You can use the trailer to boost the car up, and ramp the car off a trailer into the box of the truck.

Just my idea. Ive moved 2 cars before just that way... Flatten the tires, and chock the wheels, nothing moves. and drive safely.

Uship.com, might be an idea TOO.

You can laugh or flame, but you asked for ideas

Goodluck

 

No flaming man, all good.

Liquidating is not an option. If I had to buy all my stuff back in NY, it'd cost a hella lot more than it did here in Miami... I don't really have any junk, just actual furniture that is/will be in use... I have a few things I am selling (desk, sofa/loveseat, 1 bedroom set,etc) that I won't be needing to take. I have a 4+bed house, after selling off some stuff I'm calling it a 3bed move.

I dunno about getting the Miata into the truck, I foresee many bad things happening upon attempt. And even if it is doable, running with a 2100lb car IN the truck, as well as a 3600lb car being towed (Jetta) sounds like a lot no??
Would leave me with the Infiniti having to tow the Mazda3 which may also be difficult at 2700lbs.

Would be a def contender for the cheapest ($2700ish), but a hands down winner for most dangerous I think..

Would like to hear more opinions on this....

 

I think Stein's idea is the best except for the POD.

Get the biggest Uhaul truck available and tow the 3 behind it. (You drive this)
Tow the Miata behind the Infiniti (Friend drives this)
Wife in Jetta with baby.

Fly friend back home.
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Yea this seems the best so far...
Only flaw..

Still need another body as baby+carseat+1400+miles = stopping every hour
--A care taker/co driver would be needed

This would prob work well if I can get my parents to fly down and help me drive up.
Uhaul + Mazda3 = me
Infiniti+ Miata = dad
Jetta + baby = wife/mom

Gonna do the numbers but this seems the cheapest as its techincally hands on.
Just gotta have a moving day set, so get some friends to help load the truck...


***Oh yea, 1 more thing, can the Infiniti handle the trailer+ Miata?
I've heard of much lesser vehicles towing a mazda, but i think most were with 2wheel dolly's
I'd prefer a trailer much better

 

You gotta find out what the Infiniti is rated at. I know the Pontiac Torrent I had could tow 3500lbs. Your Infiniti is RWD with a more powerful engine so it might be able to handle more. Google what its rated for.
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Or just your mom so I can get a free vaca.
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Found specs in owners manual for towing on the infiniti...

TRAILER+LOAD = max 3500lb
TOTAL VEHICLE WEIGHT = 8000lb
MAX TONGUE LOAD = 350lb

So looks like this option works. Seeing as the Miata is what 2100lbs approx, I doubt the trailer will be more than 1400lbs right?
Also, I don't know what tongue load is??

I've never towed a vehicle before...says I need to use a trailer with brakes

And I don't have a hitch on the Infiniti now, what do they run for? Something I can install myself?



***Imagine on top of all this I'll also be moving my business to a new location within the next 3wks. Talk about stress and having a lot to do...

 

And actually while discussing with my wife seems she's not looking forward to 1400+ miles with a baby (help or not).

So may fly her up tp NY w/ baby, and have my father and cousin come down.
Having 3 men instead of 2men/2women actually makes me feel better too, lol

 

I would absolutely stuff a miata into the back of a uhaul and tow another car behind it, but that's just me, and I've done stupid things like that. I towed my integra on a 2 wheel dolly, with all worldly possessions including motorcycle in the uhaul through a snowstorm (got sideways at 70 on ice in that rig), and two days later down from flagstaff to phoenix hitting the governor down the mountain.

^remarkably irresponsible, but it sure made the drive more fun!

I've been considering what to do if the wife and I move to San Antonio. She's got a wee-bitty-car that she loves, and I dig the Miata (though I'd probably sell it and pick up a no-rust-Texas-special) and I was thinking that it wouldn't be too tough to toss one in a big uhaul, pack our apartment around it, and then tow the other car.

A loading dock (on both ends of the trip) and some metal ramps should get the car in safely.

 

Tongue load is the downward force that the trailer excerts at the trailer ball.

 

Ooooooooooooh snap!!!!!!!1

 

Hmmmm, what to do what to do....

I can't believe you guys are actually making me consider stuffing the Miata in the truck...