Budget Travel - Should I go with Uhaul or DIY?

Hi all,
I will be moving from San Antonio to St. Louis in about 4 days. I'm looking for ways to save money, but do this with minimal stress as possible.

I need to move the following items:

bed
flat screen TV
computer and desk
computer chair
clothes
Ford Focus car


I do not yet have a place to live in STL. I will be staying in a hotel for about a week while I look for something. I will seek out an apartment/loft with appliances already included.

Obviously I can't fit all those items in my car, so I'm thinking of getting a Uhaul and towing my car. However, if I ditch the bed and buy one in STL, I may be able to ditch the Uhaul and pack everything else in my car. It seems that the price I pay for the Uhaul+tower will be about the same as the cost of a new bed.

If I did go the Uhaul route, I would get 1 month free storage from them, so I could leave my stuff in storage until I find something. If I went sans-Uhaul and no bed, I could leave everything in my hotel until I find something.

Note: I'm a federal government employee (USAF), so government discounts may also apply here.

I'm leaning towards no Uhaul since I wouldn't have to worry about gas, extra insurance, accident, etc.

Thoughts?

I would ditch the bed, if this was me. Seems the easier route. Especially if driving around looking at places to live.

I'm leaning towards no Uhaul since I wouldn't have to worry about gas, extra insurance, accident, etc.

Thoughts?

Well, number one, have you added the cost of fuel into this :confused:

It is down a bit, but it cost me a pretty penny when I was having to drive from DAL to Galveston Island (doubt too many people know the GLS code).

And SAT-STL is quite a drive - I would think a few hundred dollars.

I'd try to sell the bed, or just give it away.

One more thought: many beds can be disassembled, though if you have a headboard, that might not fit.

Second thought: While the Focus isn't a big car, I would think you could tow a small trailer with it, and put the bed on it. You can buy a trailer or rent one.

I bought a flatbed farm trailer to move from DAL to Connecticut (used the fence we had as a dog run to keep things in), and in fact was able to sell it for same there as it cost to buy new in Texas. Of course if you only have a bed you won't need that.

Oh, and welcome to FlyerTalk.

EmailKid

Unless it is a fancy or new bed/mattress I say ditch it/sell it/give it away. You're going to a new place so you can start fresh and within the week you can go to a store and select the bed you want.

The gas savings over the Uhaul van/small truck will be significant. Being in just your car will allow for easier driving and if you wanted to take a detour to see a place or person along the way.

Yes, I guess it comes down to fuel costs.

I will ditch the Uhaul+bed idea. Thanks!

www.craigslist.com might work for getting rid of that bed quickly.

On the show Shipping Wars* they use a company called U Ship at uship.com

It may be worth listing the stuff there or some of it, and see what bids you get. It's sort of like an auction where people bid to move your stuff against each other filling up the back of their truck or whatever.

If you get lucky and end up with somebody already going that way who has space they may do it for very little money. If you can fit everything but the mattress into the car just have them bid on the bed.

* Please note - My neighbor loves the show, the only time I've seen it is when we are all over for a football game and he plays them instead of the half time performance.

I have used Uship.com a number of times. It is a great value if someone has just a little more room in their truck than they need,

The last time it was for an antique ice box as a gift to my girlfriend.

On the show Shipping Wars* they use a company called U Ship at uship.com

It may be worth listing the stuff there or some of it, and see what bids you get. It's sort of like an auction where people bid to move your stuff against each other filling up the back of their truck or whatever.

If you get lucky and end up with somebody already going that way who has space they may do it for very little money. If you can fit everything but the mattress into the car just have them bid on the bed.

* Please note - My neighbor loves the show, the only time I've seen it is when we are all over for a football game and he plays them instead of the half time performance.

Yes, I guess it comes down to fuel costs.

I will ditch the Uhaul+bed idea. Thanks!

Speaking as someone whose rented U-Haul truck once got 4mpg lightly loaded, you've definitely got the right idea.

Well, number one, have you added the cost of fuel into this :confused:

Yes, I guess it comes down to fuel costs.

I will ditch the Uhaul+bed idea. Thanks!

Speaking as someone whose rented U-Haul truck once got 4mpg lightly loaded, you've definitely got the right idea.

@ doss1

You're welcome ;)

EmailKid

Just as an FYI for the future, it is possible to ship bulky items via rail. I've done that when moving cross country.