Moving Cross Country… should I trust a moving company?

I moved From CA to FL start of 2021, then returned to CA in end of 2023. Both times we used 1-800-Pack Rat. It was smooth both times. I had all three of my guitars, keyboards, and amp(returning), studio monitors, record collection in the container. Limited space in the 4runner with 4 of us driving both ways, so had to pack my stuff in the containers.
 
I’ve done this twice, took a job in San Francisco so went from Atlanta to SF and then back 18 months later. And later I took a job in Louisville so went from Atlanta to Louisville and then back 3.5 years later.

Each time I drove my guitars and amps myself and used a moving company for everything else. It was actually awesome driving cross country, loved it.
 
I drove them since we decided to drive one of the cars across anyway.

The POD idea seems like a good one. I think you could pack it yourself and no one will open it up while it's in transit. A normal moving truck I think can be shared with other moves some times, so they may shift the stuff around which would give me nightmares.
 
First, I would purchase a Heritage instrument policy and tell them about the move in writing as my first line of defense. Then I would hire an insured/bonded mover, and have their insurance company provide me a certificate of insurance as an “also insured” on both their GL and umbrella policies, making you triple protected against loss.
 
Honestly, if it were me, I'd sell about 8 of those amps. Figure out the few that I couldn't live without, then use the cash to fund the move and save whatever's left for future gear. Rent a small trailer and haul the good stuff myself, then use a POD for the rest of the house. Like someone mentioned, trailers can get a little extra attention, but I've criss crossed the country with one on a few occasions and never had any issues. Just be smart about it.
 
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Soundstorm said:
Honestly, if it were me, I'd sell about 8 of those amps. Figure out the few that I couldn't live with, then use the cash to fund the move and whatever's left for future gear. Rent a small trailer and haul the good stuff myself, then use a POD for the rest of the house. Like someone mentioned, trailers can get a little extra attention, but I've criss crossed the country with one on a few accounts and never had any issues. Just be smart about it.
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Man unfortunately I’ve gotten such good deals that I’ll never get most of these again at these prices and I really have no redundancies tonally so they all serve a purpose for recording and what not.
 
If you're gonna have other people handle your gear, picture somebody who doesn't give a shit about your most beloved stuff handling it like they don't give a shit about breaking it. Then pack it accordingly and let them lift those bomb-proof boxes you pack instead.

stratjacket said:
I’ve done this twice, took a job in San Francisco so went from Atlanta to SF and then back 18 months later. And later I took a job in Louisville so went from Atlanta to Louisville and then back 3.5 years later.

Each time I drove my guitars and amps myself and used a moving company for everything else. It was actually awesome driving cross country, loved it.
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I've moved across the country twice. I'd also recommend that drive to anybody, it's really cool. Pack your best stuff in your own vehicle and leave the rest of everything else to movers though.
 
I've used moving companies for my last two moves, one of which was two states away. Amps were fine in road cases on their truck, but I transported the guitars myself. Also updated my personal articles policy on my homeowners specifically for my music gear.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
If you want something done right...
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+1

Pull all of the tubes and bubble wrap them - stick them in the amps. Guitars stay tuned in their cases standing vertically and strapped to the u haul wall.

Amps get tons of bubble wrap under them in their own boxes for bounce control

You buy a jumbo snickers and caffeine every other gas station fill up and you keep the pedal to the floor listening to metal.

That’s how I did it when I moved and it worked fine.
 
I've moved with the military my entire life as a brat, then serving. I wouldn't worry about damage as much as some mover stealing something you can't replace.

At.the same time, if you are going to end up staying at some cheap hotel and thieves steal the trailer, then really a toss up.

If you insure everything and are organized, etc. It won't be a problem. I'd say find a service or company you can trust, etc.
 
I've made about a half dozen cross country moves since 2003. I never let the guitars and guns outta my sight. They rode in the vehicle I drove. I gotta van so that made it easy. Even at the motel I slept very little and made sure my room overlooked where I was parking.
 
glpg80 said:
+1

Pull all of the tubes and bubble wrap them - stick them in the amps. Guitars stay tuned in their cases standing vertically and strapped to the u haul wall.

Amps get tons of bubble wrap under them in their own boxes for bounce control

You buy a jumbo snickers and caffeine every other gas station fill up and you keep the pedal to the floor listening to metal.

That’s how I did it when I moved and it worked fine.
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When we moved from Vegas to Seattle we rented a big moving truck and had like half dozen motorcycles, all of our furniture, guitars, and amps packed in as well as towing one of our cars behind. Was intimidated at first to drive it since it was their biggest I believe like 30+ feet, but was pretty easy and had no issues driving through the mountains and windy roads. Ended up doing the same for my mother from central US to Florida before she passed. Believe that it was the Penske yellow trucks both times, iirc. Just had to plan certain things like right hand turns and backing up to spots against walls and whatnot if we couldn't park in front of our window at hotels. Those things drive themselves. One thing I learned was that the much bigger truck with the diesel got a lot better mileage than the gas powered one that was half the size when I helped move my mother. It was like 13-14mpg vs 8-9mpg.
 
VonBonfire said:
I've made about a half dozen cross country moves since 2003. I never let the guitars and guns outta my sight. They rode in the vehicle I drove. I gotta van so that made it easy. Even at the motel I slept very little and made sure my room overlooked where I was parking.
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That’s so funny, I actually have a picture of the van you used!

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