Moving Advice Needed - U-haul trailer or moving company?

Here's some more info I found on U-haul's website:



Here's my question:

If the U-haul center is unable to remove/install the drive shaft as part of the rental or for an additional fee, how do you go about having this done elsewhere and still be able to drive to the u-haul center to have the dolly loaded and hooked up? Do you have to have a mechanic do a house call at the u-haul center to do this or pay to have your car towed from the mechanics shop to the u-haul center?

You will need a handy friend with some preparation, not a full-on mechanic.

I can pull that shaft in 5 minutes.

No. Once the drive shaft is removed, you don't drive it anywhere. Save on the house call, though. Get the car on the dolly and drive it to the mechanic. Since you're paying rental on the truck and dolly, have the mechanic lined up before you drag the car in. Find a mechanic that will do it for a flat rate, rather than by the our. Some shops have a one hour minimum charge.

Your U-Haul piece mentions wiring or tying the drive shaft up. Have it removed instead. It's not going to cost any more, and it isn't something you want to worry about coming unwired over a thousand miles of rough road.

Question on these car dollies in general.

How vigilant am I going to need to be anytime I've parked somewhere for food or overnight? Is it likely that someone can and will easily unhitch the dolly and steal my car?

Not if you keep the driveshaft in the hauler like the rat suggested...

Okay, the deed is done. I have reserved a 10 ft mini mover van with the tow dolly for 6 days and 1400 miles for a total of $939 plus another $1300 in insurance on both the van and the dolly. I've also arranged for the manager of the Midas Brake shop across the street from the Uhaul center to remove the drive shaft for me. He said he'd do it for free, but I'll give him $20 anyway.

I'll be picking the truck and dolly up on the 27th and will load it in the afternoon of the 27th and do a final clean up of my apartment on the 28th and turn in the keys.

I'm glad I did my homework with you guys before going to the Uhaul center. Thanks for all the advice given. The general manager there tried to upsale a whole bunch of other things to me, saying the towing trailer was safer than the dolly and that I couldn't use the tow dolly because my car was a rear wheel driven car. I showed him the printout from their website of the advisory about removing the drive shaft and insisted I wanted the tow dolly.

I'm going to do the driving myself. It may take me a while getting there because I'll be driving slowly until I build some confidence with the tow. Depending on the time of day that I do the final vacate of my apartment, I'll either start driving on the 28th or spend the night in the parking lot in the truck and start off driving in the morning on March 1st. I will be taking the longer hwy 10 route to avoid driving in icy winter weather on mountain roads.


So now all that is left is hiring two people to load the van for me and finding some people to haul away all the stuff from my apartment that I am not taking with me. I'm trying to catch some of the dumpster divers in the area and ask them if they'd be interested in the stuff. I'll give it to them for free if they'll haul it away. That way they can sell it and make some money off it for themselves and it won't cost me anything to have it hauled away.

Now the hard packing work begins. I wish I could just wiggle my nose and have everything automatically packed and ready to go.

I'd say "good girl" but I won't. Good woman! instead. Or, Good going!

Carry on...

You still doing CB?

Do you happen to have a camera? Not that that'd be a main preoccupation. Just I was glad I took a few shots, mostly at rest stops.

I'll have my digital camera but probably won't stop much to take photos. I've seen most of the scenery through to southern California more times than I can count. The drive east through Phoenix and New Mexico will be interesting, but unless there is something highly unusual, I probably won't take the chance of trying to stop for a photo of it.

Haven't thought about the cb/cell phone thing yet. Have to see how much everything else is going to cost. Just renting the van and dolly and the estimated cost for gas is eating up over half my budget. I still have to hire some people to help do the loading and pay for motel and meals along the way. If it looks like there's some extra money, I'll probably get one of those disposable cell phones to use in emergency. I'll check out the price value and radio range of a low cost CB radio but the cell phone will be the first item to get. I also need to get my eyeglass prescription filled so I'll have an easier time driving at night. I have $200 in reserve for that.

Okay, just hired two moving helpers for 2 hours and a 2-person cleaning crew for 2 hours for a total of $225 on the 27th. The moving helpers are also willing to carry any leftover items down to the dumpster for me so that helps too. This will save me a lot of time on the 28th and allow me to get a much earlier head start on the drive.

that's $130 insurance not $1300 insurance!

Phew! I was thinking you got ripped off.

But wait, the cell phone is down for much of the trip -- which I learned rather late since I didn't need it. Trust me, down.

Others can speak to this.

Me, I'd have been a lamb at road side with no clue since my phone wouldn't have worked.

I've been lucky in my life on the road, and I figure you would be, but it is a consideration.

Was that because there is no cell phone coverage in general in the areas or because the particular cell phone service you were using didn't have bars in those areas while others do?

Amazon has this one for $75. I can have it overnighted once I decide if that's the way to go. What concerns me is that it only has a range of 4 miles and when out in the boonies, that isn't much of a distance.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-Compact-Handheld-Radio/dp/B000069DOV



Technical Details
NOAA All Weather Emergency Radio
Mobile Mag Mount Antenna Included
SoundTracker System
10 Channel Weather Reception
4 Watts Power Output
› See more technical details

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product Details
Product Dimensions: 1.8 x 2 x 6.8 inches ; 3.6 pounds
Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
ASIN: B000069DOV
Item model number: HH Road Trip
Batteries: 9 AA batteries required.
Average Customer Review:

33 Reviews
5 star: (13)
4 star: (9)
3 star: (2)
2 star: (4)
1 star: (5)

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Cobra's aptly named HH Road Trip 40-channel handheld CB radio is ready to travel anywhere you do, bringing access to 10 NOAA weather channels and a four-mile range from its 4 watts of power. The onboard SoundTracker system reduces audible noise and interference by up to 90 percent over non-SoundTracker devices. Whether you're using it for emergency backup or convenient conversation between vehicles or camps, the HH Road Trip brings you quality CB communication.
High/low power switch reduces power consumption, extending battery life during spells when high power is not required. The unit operates on nine AA batteries (alkaline or Ni-Cd; batteries not included), or runs off your vehicle battery through the supplied DC cord with cigarette-lighter plug. An included magnet-mount antenna ensures maximum range.

The Citizens Band lies between the shortwave broadcast and 10-meter Amateur radio bands and was established by law in 1949. The Class D two-way communications service was opened in 1959. FCC regulations permit only "transmissions" (one party to another) rather than "broadcasts" (to a wide audience); advertising is not allowed on CB Channels because it is considered "broadcasting." Citizens Band (CB) Radio operators are not required to obtain an FCC license to operate their CB equipment or provide station identification. Nevertheless, an operator of a CB radio station is still required to comply with the communications act and with the rules of CB Radio Operation.

What's in the Box
Handheld radio receiver, DC cord with cigarette lighter plug, magnet-mount antenna, user's manual.

Product Description
Whatever your outdoor activity, Cobra's compact handheld CB radios are a great way to stay in touch with friends. Complete access to 10 National Weather Channels (7 NOAA and 3 International) for the latest weather information. And there are no license or service fees! Cobra's HH ROADTRIP incorporates SoundTracker, a patent-pending technology that dramatically improves the sound quality of the transmission and reception of CB radio signals.

http://www.cellreception.com/deadspots/

4 miles is plenty if you are on the highway.

All you have to do is get a trucker or two calling for you.

I have an old cobra mini under dash unit I don't use much that I can send you for nada if you want it. All you would need is a magnet mount antenna...

skipping over possibly many posts... because there is not cellphone coverage.

Well, I dunno, maybe my old pacbell might have had an oomph for coverage, but mostly not. There are areas on your trip sans coverage. That is just how it is. I didn't find this out until I tried to call D and D from somewhere on 25 in NM, which was just as well, for my sense of well being.

Thanks ehBeth. I'll get out my route map and see what's up.

So, are all recent posters saying there is cell coverage throughout NM? That would be great, but I don't believe it.