Okay... I'm moving from Maryland to Ohio at the end of the month. I have hired a moving company to move all my furniture. I rented a 15' Penske truck to move my animals - I have 5 birds in very large cages, two dogs and a cat. I also rented a car carrier for my 73 mustang. I'm gonna load up the stang and pull it with this 15' truck.

Any advice for driving, especially through the mountains of Pennsylvania? I tend to believe that I'm a very good driver. I learned how to drive in Massachusetts (enough said). I don't plan on backing it up anywhere. I guess my biggest concern is hills. I guess I'm just nervous driving a big truck and towing at the same time.

And don't ya'll start complaining about "women drivers that don't know how to drive." I drove home from Ohio a couple weekends ago through a blizzard in the mountains. Talk about *****tin yourself. I didn't lose traction, not even once. I had my truck in 4hi and kept a constant speed.

Any advice will help.

I also am trying to figure out how I'm gonna load the car, drop the trailer so I can get my birds in the back, then load the trailer back on. (oh my achin head)

Thanks a bunch... Jenn in MD (soon to be OH!)

 

as far as the driving it sounds like you already know what you're doing just need to be sure of yourself. although don't forget the trailer is there going around any corners especially in town.

as far as loading, it shouldn't take long to load the mustang so start by disconnecting the trailer, then load animals, then hook up trailer then load mustang. you don't want to mess around trying to move a loaded trailer, this would be even worse if the weight happens to be too far rearward.(don't ask how i know ) the extra time the animals would be in the truck is nothing compared to the time trying to rehook up a loaded trailer, besides they're going to be in there for awhile anyways.

hope this helps a little.

 

Drive the Mustang!
Put the two dogs in the back seat.
Put the cat in the front seat.
Show all of the birds a map of Ohio and open up the cages.

 

Thanks Raoul... how did I know you'd come up with the perfect answer!!

Jenn

 

Seems you know a lot already about driving...my only advice when pulling a trailer.is remember to make wide turns....turn later than you normally would, to ensure the trailer doesn't go off the road or run anything over.

Best of luck to you

 

Watch your mirrors, they are going to stick out a lot further than you're use to.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm not moving until March 8th, but I'm already starting to stress out about it.

Ahhh... stress...

Jenn

 

Don't stress to much. What is the worse that could happen? The worst is the trailer could come unhitched while driving down the road, the back of the truck opens up so the birds take flight and the cats and dogs just kind of sit there and watch everything happen like a good movie.

The one thing I would recommend is to buy a lock for the trailer hitch. There should be some holes in the hitch were you put the lock through after it is hitched to the truck. This will prevent anyone from taking the trailer off as well as help to prevent the trailer from coming on hitched during travel. Nothing worse then to see your own car connected to a trailer passing you going up hill...

 

Ahhh, The joys of moving...

I consider myself a bit of an authority on moving, having done so 6 times in the last 9 years. I have got to find a different way to make money besides writing bad checks, selling crack, and distributing kiddie ****.

Anyhooo..When traveling through the mountains I would advise you to keep your speed down, and drop the transmission into a lower gear while decending any grade. Avoid using your brakes as much as possible to avoid having them overheat. Make sure you traverse the mountains during daylight hours, and in as good of weather as possible; even if it means stopping for the night when you don't want to. Slow and steady wins the race.

As for moving in general, despite your best efforts to pack neatly you will still have a last minute rush which will result in boxes that contain a sock, 3 hangers, a Ted Nugent LP, and your college Economic text. Accept it and move on. Have a garage sale, whatever doesn't sell, give to Goodwill or Waste Management. Take as little as possible.

If I learned only 1 thing from all my moves this is it:

Fill one medium size box with a coffee maker, filters, coffee, cups, sugar, powdered cream, a box of Hostess doughnuts, spoons, a roll of paper towels, a roll of toilet paper, a bar of soap, a bath towel, a gallon of water, and a set of clean clothes. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET THIS BOX OUT OF YOUR SIGHT, MARK IT WITH PINK X'S AND CARRY IT IN THE CAB WITH YOU.

When you get to where you're going you'll thank me.

BTW: Are you going to change your name to Jenny-O?

 

Jenn-

I think the fastest way across would be I-68. AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE! Use the PA turnpike and jump off on 70. I used to make that run every three day weekend from Clinton, MD to Ashtabula, OH. It may cost a little more but it will be a lot easier on the nerves.

 

Silent Bob -

I've driven it once. I take 70 to 68, back on 70, to 270 to 71 to 275. I'd rather not pay tolls.

I just talked to my husband about towing the stang and he said that it would be okay if we hired a company to transport it if I wasn't comfortable towing it myself. We'll see.

Thanks for all your advice!!!

Jenn in MD.... not OH yet

 

Jenn,
Sounds like you're coming to the Cincinnati area. What town are you moving to? I moved here from the Chicago area two years ago. Love it here!

 

MrOldV8 - We bought a house in Loveland (Clermont County). It's a really nice contemporary on 2 acres of woods. You can't even see your neighbors!!

What's there to do in Cincy?

Jenn

 

I'm from the west side of the 'Nati; bought my first house in Bridgetown about a year ago.
Lots to do : Newport on the Levi, Ominmax, Cincy Zoo, Tri-County Mall, Kenwood Mall, and other things I can't think of right now. Newport on the Levi is the newest thing. It's the first exit off 471 South into KY- it's awesome.
Keep in touch...- I know the Loveland area... absolutely beautiful. I grew up on many acres, I do miss it.

flafonman knows what he is talking about. I traveled for a few years and keeping the 'sanities' in the box next to you is important.

Be careful moving. Hope you like your new home!

john

 

Jenn
Loveland is nice. Seek out a small restaurant/bar called "Paxton's". They have good bar-b-que and gumbo.
When International Paper transfered us here from Chicago, I worked at their research center in Loveland. After nine months they cancelled our projects, and let everybody go. I wanted to stay here, so my wife and I opened a custom picture framing shop in Milford. It's very near loveland, off 275 exit 59, across from the Target.

We live outside of Bethel...about a half hour south of you. in the country, almost three heavily wooded acres, that now houses my 'dream garage'. We are about five minutes south of East Fork State Park, where there's a great lake for fishing and power- boating. It's beautiful.
Sounds like you have a nice house. I bet you'll like it here as much as we do. This area is a well-kept secret.

Keep in touch.