Moving Companies and Firearms

[giggitygiggity]

My experience with moving companies has been largely negative. They try to do things cheaply and often employ convicted criminals (because they lack to skills and trust to obtain employment elsewhere, but can lift heavy stuff for minimum wage) to pack and move stuff. Hence why I usually find items broken and lost/stolen upon arrival. The moving companies are reluctant to take responsibility for any damage and loss/theft that occurred under their watch. And if you file a lawsuit, it will likely cost you more that the item(s) in question.

Of course, this is a generalization and based on my experience. However, if you doubt me, please ask anyone who has been in the military and moved multiple times between duty stations and I’m sure their experiences will be similar to mine.

That said, moving companies often allow customers to annotate any high value items, with which they will take additional precautions.

My recommendation is to use the movers to transport firearms as a last resort.

 

[GEM]

You are probably correct about the staffing. However, if you are moving a large household across country, your options are limited. You can ship firearms FFL to FFL depending on local laws. We did not have a problem with the guns, nor with claims in our moves. Use, might be more costly, the big reputable firms.

 

[tazbigdog]

I should have mentioned earlier that when I moved I had two RSCs - a Liberty Lincoln and an AMSEC. It was easier, and cheaper, to just leave them in the old house. They were both in the refrigerator or less weight class, so I could have had the movers do it but I didn’t think it was worth the hassle for the weak protection they offered.

At the new house I bought a TL30x6. I had that moved once within the house, and it was safe and relatively cheap ($500) to have it moved by a pro. If we move from this place I’ll empty the safe and have it moved by pros as it’s 3400 lbs empty.

That’s what I plan on doing when we move. Sell it here and get a bigger one after the move.

 

[tuckerdog1]

They can move the furniture, dishes & that sort of crap. Guns, artwork & irreplaceable family stuff will go in a U-Haul with me.

 

[Hikingman]

Heavy fiber drum - what is that? It sounds like an orange marked drum used in road construction as a marker.

 

[Nuclear]

If you have to stop overnight and sleep, unless you sleep in the Uhaul or move ALL the valuables into the hotel, how is your stuff safer than in the moving truck?

 

[Kawamax]

If you have to stop overnight and sleep, unless you sleep in the Uhaul or move ALL the valuables into the hotel, how is your stuff safer than in the moving truck?

Let’s see:
- No risk of employees stealing your stuff.
- People don’t realize that many times your stuff is moved into a different truck for the long haul, and/or stored for awhile in a warehouse. Anytime your stuff transfers or sits there is an increased risk of theft or damage.
- You can use much better locks on your rental than the moving companies do.
- You choose where you park and where you stay. So you can do like I did and park in front of your room - about 10’ from my door in a good area in a well lit lot.
- You can pack as you want. My expensive stuff was in the front of the truck where it’d take you 20 minutes just to get to it.
- For me, I took my pistols in a box into my room every night.
- You can also use a portable alarm on your contents, add air tags, etc.

 

[GEM]

If you are moving a major household, sofas, beds, cabinets, refrigerators, washer, dryers, all your clothes, chairs, desks, computer tables, desk top computers, pots, pans - etc. AND have to unload it and put it around the house - you will appreciate a moving company. Are there going to be some problems, yeah but I'm too old to lift a dining room table of solid oak.

 

[Kawamax]

If you are moving a major household, sofas, beds, cabinets, refrigerators, washer, dryers, all your clothes, chairs, desks, computer tables, desk top computers, pots, pans - etc. AND have to unload it and put it around the house - you will appreciate a moving company. Are there going to be some problems, yeah but I'm too old to lift a dining room table of solid oak.

I don’t think that anyone is arguing to not use a moving company. When we moved, we had two semis full of household stuff. The question is how to best move firearms, ammo, and expensive and/or delicate stuff. For me, that kind of stuff went in a smaller rented truck that I drove.

Edited to add: We packed our own boxes. The movers loaded/unloaded the boxes and furniture. The movers wrapped the furniture and loaded/unloaded the trailers. The unload guys were great, the loading guys messed up a lot of stuff as they used light cord to secure large heavy stuff rather than straps.

 

[mrbro]

I was in a pretty similar situation last year, needing to move from Arizona to Montana and worried about my collection of firearms.

 

[tazbigdog]

Moved to PA from VA, PA to Texas, Texas to AZ….all in vehicle. All with insurance, and arrived safe and sound. Not letting a moving company move these.

 

[Reloadron]

About 12 years ago when my sister lost her husband she moved from W. VA. to Ohio. The moving company had no issue with the guns and gun safe. That all moved fine no loss. However, they would not take any ammunition. I was happy to make the drive from Cleveland, Ohio to Clarksburg W. VA. and grab a mountain of ammo and ammo cans. Loaded the Suburban up and away I went. I guess most moving companies will not move loaded ammunition.

Ron

 

[CapnMac]

knowing the company has insurance to cover losses.

The question being, as it is with all generalized insurance, is it a sufficient amount? A "wardrobe box"

(which is an excellent way to move items like framed portraits, mirrors, and all manner of unique items)
could easily have ten grand of firearms in it, just the one box. And the general goods insurance the movers have perhaps only being 15 or 20 grand at max, can leave rather a large gap.

(I ought dig out my 'gun' policy from Eastern and see if it covers losses by common carrier shipping.)

Maybe use a PODS container? I think you lock it with your lock and they transport it.

I have done this--if very early in PODS history. Their current policy forbids all manner of things being put in their containers, particularly flammables and ammunition, (and components). They, of course cannot police what you place inside, nor remove later. But, if there is an issue, they can void any insurance on your goods for the presence of such things. You are not supposed to put safes in them, but a number of military folk do--you just need to strap them in very securely as the pod may get tipped as much as 10-15° on loading on the local truck.

Maximum size is 8x10x16 feet, but, you can load and unload at your own pace (limited only by the monthly rental fee, which is much cheaper than the daily charge on a rental truck. So, some planning ahead is wanted.

 

[CraigC]

I've moved three times in 17yrs. First and second time we did everything. The last time, we hired a moving company. However, I would never use them to move my guns and related junk. Luckily, the last time was only about 15mins across town. So a few trips with a 16ft enclosed trailer and it was done. I bought a bunch of pistol rugs and moved them in plastic tubs. The long guns I wrapped in blankets or put in cases. The biggest hassle was moving about 14 tons of bullets.

 

[DustyGmt]

When we moved cross country I rented a Penske truck to carry my tools, firearms, ammo, and delicate/expensive stuff like stereos, TVs, etc. It worked well with no issues.

Rifles were packed in nondescript packages and loaded in first, so to get to them a thief would have had to unload the truck and open up everything. Pistols were in a rolling toolbox that I could take into the hotel each night. (It took us four days of travel.). I used a good lock on the truck door and parked the truck next to our motel door each night.

I wouldn't have any qualms or worried about doing it this way. A good quality lock in close proximity where you can keep an ear out, a $25 door alarm on the moving truck is a lil extra peace of mind and we'll worth it to avoid the hassle and expense of shipping and FFL fees and all that. I think shipping is more of a loss liability than transporting it yourself provided you can park the truck close by the motel.

 

[wayneinFL]

(I ought dig out my 'gun' policy from Eastern and see if it covers losses by common carrier shipping.)

Let me know what you find out. I recently switched to Eastern, and if I remember correctly, it's an inland marine policy.

 

[Miami_JBT]

If you have to stop overnight and sleep, unless you sleep in the Uhaul or move ALL the valuables into the hotel, how is your stuff safer than in the moving truck?

I've moved and done Uhaul every time. Stayed overnight in a hotel. Park the Uhaul under a lighted spot next the my room and secured the back with a heavy-duty padlock like the one below.



Never had an issue. Moved safes, guns, ammo, etc. that way without issue.

 

[danez71]

For roll up doors, roll the door up about 6"... stick your hand up in there and mark the track.

Drill a small hole thru the side of the track for a padlock that will stop the lowest wheel on the door from traveling up the track


Door can't open higher than ~8" and the lock isn't even visible to know its there.... and cant reach it with bolt cutters anyways


Test reachability with the key before actually locking the 1st time and make sure you don't lose the key

 

[mrbro]

I decided to go with Three Movers after a lot of research and discussions about my concerns, especially regarding the secure transport of my guns in their safe and the insurance aspect for each piece. They were incredibly accommodating, ensuring that my safe was not accessible during the move and agreeing on the specific values for insurance. I paid around $3,000 for their service, which, considering the peace of mind and the professionalism they showed, was worth it. They handled everything so efficiently that my wife and I could explore our new town without stressing over the move.