Might be moving x-country (again), what would be the best vehicle to haul?

[hipster.]

So I might be moving to California and my GF and i would be making the x-country drive to move our stuff.

Lets hear some suggestions for what type of car/truck would make for an interesting hauler.

No matter what is picked, it will probably be towing a small u-haul trailer and maybe roof storage. And it would also need to be something we could drive around for awhile until we find a suitable car to cruise around LA in.

So far I was thinking about...

Mini Bus


It's quirky, but I figure with the seats removed we'd have plenty of space to pack stuff into. And it'd be nice to have something we could stand up in when the thing is parked.

Suburban


They're frickin' huge. But I'd think the MPG are probably crap.

Vanagon


Seems pretty logical and multi purpose enough for what we'd need for the move and the x-country drive. But I highly doubt I'd find one that runs well enough to make the journey and not empty the coffers.

Fuso


So it's a box truck, it'd probably make the trip find. However I don't know if the cab would be comfortable enough for the 2 of us and our dog. And I don't know if I'd want to cruise around LA in on for an longer than I'd need to.

So suggestions? Insight?

[feels_road]

Whatever you pick, make sure it satisfies CA emissions. Otherwise you will be up to a rude awakening.

I vote either some reliable SUV (Pilot, 4Runner) or a Diesel SUV or wagon.

[hipster.]

Whatever you pick, make sure it satisfies CA emissions. Otherwise you will be up to a rude awakening.

I vote either some reliable SUV (Pilot, 4Runner) or a Diesel SUV or wagon.

Not planning on keeping it when I get to California longer than it would take to find something new.

As for SUV's or Wagons. Probably wont be enough space inside.

[MN6845]

I would rent U haul if you have much furniture to move and a trailer to pull you car. Its not going to be cheap, in May I rented their smallest box van with an auto transport trailer. The trip was only 400 miles (rented for two days) and it cost $400 plus $153 for gas. I only got 9.8 MPG pulling a trailer at 60 to 65 MPH. The smallest cargo van can haul the contents of a small apartment.

If you do not have to move your furniture then a cargo trailer could be an option. Are you driving a turbo brick?

http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/

[hipster.]

I would rent U haul if you have much furniture to move and a trailer to pull you car. Its not going to be cheap, in May I rented their smallest box van with an auto transport trailer. The trip was only 400 miles (rented for two days) and it cost $400 plus $153 for gas. I only got 9.8 MPG pulling a trailer at 60 to 65 MPH. The smallest cargo van can haul the contents of a small apartment.

If you do not have to move your furniture then a cargo trailer could be an option. Are you driving a turbo brick?

http://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/

Nope, NA and it doesn't really do well at higher altitudes. Found that out driving it home from Rochester up state. It struggled quite a bit on inclines.

[MN6845]

Loaded U haul trucks pulling a 4,500 lb. car are pretty lethargic. Going up some of the mountains in Tennessee and Kentucky, I thought I was going to blow the engine. Nothing like driving at redline for five minutes and never getting above 60 MPH. Without the car trailer, the U haul would easily hit 80 MPH. Next time I have to use a U haul over any distance I'll bring some hearing protection.

[BigSkyGLI]

When I was much younger, I always wanted to get a bread truck and covert it into a space I could live in on a long road trip. They are plentiful and I believe pretty reliable. I think most have an aluminum body so they are lighter.



that dream was sadly never realized for me, but that is my suggestion.

Side note - if you type in breadvan to Google Images, the entire first page is one of these.



Not THAT would be a x country hauler.

[CO Boy]

[XM_Rocks]

Me 2 weeks ago...

24' truck with car carrier.

10 mpg calculated.. Pretty good considering I had an old XJ jeep that got 12 mpg around town.

[ATL_Av8r]

Vanagon

A Vanagon? Towing and hauling 2 people's worth of belongings x-country through 2 mountain ranges? You might as well start looking for a replacement vehicle 1/3rd of the way through the journey right now

[1985Jetta]

4.3 mini bus? Maybe a 91-95?

[feels_road]

Not planning on keeping it when I get to California longer than it would take to find something new.

As for SUV's or Wagons. Probably wont be enough space inside.

But how or where are you going to sell it?

And SUVs don't have enough space inside - for what? What are your plans? Some cars/trucks can tow so much more than others that their interior space hardly matters.

[hipster.]

But how or where are you going to sell it?

And SUVs don't have enough space inside - for what? What are your plans? Some cars/trucks can tow so much more than others that their interior space hardly matters.

Well considering I'm packing up my entire apt. I would like to put as much as possible inside of said vehicle and put large furniture in a small uhaul trailer.

[Cousin Eddie]

It just suits you, and it's all fashion-oriented for this time of year with the autumn decor.

[hipster.]

It just suits you, and it's all fashion-oriented for this time of year with the autumn decor.

If I can get it with some sweet pegs for my gf to hop on, sold!

[adrew]

Loaded U haul trucks pulling a 4,500 lb. car are pretty lethargic. Going up some of the mountains in Tennessee and Kentucky, I thought I was going to blow the engine. Nothing like driving at redline for five minutes and never getting above 60 MPH. Without the car trailer, the U haul would easily hit 80 MPH. Next time I have to use a U haul over any distance I'll bring some hearing protection.

I rented a midsize GMC/Penske van with the 6-liter V8 when I moved from Georgia to Texas several years ago. I got the car carrier and put my Civic on it which worked out to almost 5000 lbs of car/trailer.

It wasn't the fastest thing in the world but had no trouble merging, maintaining speed up long grades or cruising at 75 MPH. I averaged 10 MPG in it driving without care for MPG, not bad when averaged out over two vehicles.

[WakusPakus]

should be able to fit this SOB in williamsburg - just hog the bike lanes if you need extra room.

[PoorHouse]

Whatever you pick, make sure it satisfies CA emissions. Otherwise you will be up to a rude awakening.

Not planning on keeping it when I get to California longer than it would take to find something new.

As for SUV's or Wagons. Probably wont be enough space inside.

You won't be able to sell it if it's not CA smog compliant.

I've moved X-country more times than I want to count, always used a rental truck.

They have gotten expensive though. You'll be in over $1200 if you rent a small truck and a
dolly to tow you current car.

I've considered buying something large enough to haul everything then sell it on the other side.

Try to find something cheap in your area that is hard to find in CA.

Diesel Sprinter? Didn't the brit find one for $4k recently?
Isuzu NPR diesel - I see these cheap sometimes.

Do some research on the markets in both places and confirm whatever you bring in can be
sold in CA.

[ValveCoverGasket]

They have gotten expensive though. You'll be in over $1200 if you rent a small truck and a
dolly to tow you current car.

which is probably still less than itll cost when your $500 craigslist special breaks down in salina kansas and you get to sit around for a week waiting for parts.

[roadtripper]

i have a barn full of vanagons and a spare rebuilt engine if you are serious - i wouldn't tow too much weight on a long trip, but it makes up for that in space, and you could keep it in cali when you get there.

i also have access to an aluminum bodied chevy bread truck, as pictured above. good runner with a 350 - reliable and parts available everywhere. you could sell smoothies and crap out of it when you get there.

[BostonB6]

Just have Roy ship it for you.

[BigSkyGLI]

you could sell smoothies and crap out of it when you get there.

Kind veggie burritos man...get your kind veggie burritos...

Have you considered...

[Numbersix]

Rent a real moving truck and tow the Volvo.

That way your stuff is secure inside something that doesn't have windows and locks, and you can take your car with you.

[PoorHouse]

which is probably still less than itll cost when your $500 craigslist special breaks down in salina kansas and you get to sit around for a week waiting for parts.

True, if you rent something everything is on them if there is a problem.

[mikegilbert]

Congrats on your girl's new career. I knew you'd put your video talents to good use.



Also, you might find this 'bus' useful.

[drhavoc]

I did it in this


with a U-haul I managed somewhere close to 14 MPG for from Toronto to Calgary going through the U.S. total trip was 3361 kilometers or 2088 Miles cost me close to $600.00 in gas.

[VegasJetta]

You idiot! I just sold two (yes, TWO) ambulances.



They the HELL are you moving back to California? You didn't learn your lesson the first time?

[BigSkyGLI]

They the HELL are you moving back to California? You didn't learn your lesson the first time?

Thars gold in them thar hills!!!

[PoorHouse]

You idiot! I just sold two (yes, TWO) ambulances.

Not many people can say that...

[hipster.]

You idiot! I just sold two (yes, TWO) ambulances.

Why the HELL are you moving back to California? You didn't learn your lesson the first time?

Haha, Brooklyn is so last year.

And seriously I would only buy and Ambulance to drive x-country if Dom Delouise was part of the deal.

[hipster.]

i also have access to an aluminum bodied chevy bread truck, as pictured above. good runner with a 350 - reliable and parts available everywhere. you could sell smoothies and crap out of it when you get there.

Hmmm this sounds promising.

[BostonB6]

[ValveCoverGasket]

You idiot! I just sold two (yes, TWO) ambulances.

how did you end up with more than one ambulance?? do you buy these to flip them... or?

[hipster.]

how did you end up with more than one ambulance?? do you buy these to flip them... or?

He's a swarthy Armenian. It's better not to ask...because the answer is he's a hoarder.

[Haubbs]

I did it in this
[IMG]XTerra with U-Haul Trailer[/IMG]

with a U-haul I managed somewhere close to 14 MPG for from Toronto to Calgary going through the U.S. total trip was 3361 kilometers or 2088 Miles cost me close to $600.00 in gas.

Used my pickup with a U-Haul and got about 20 MPGs from Cleveland to Los Angeles. It behaved like a champ the entire trip with a trailer loaded up to the ceiling.