If you’re moving to the West Coast—specifically Oregon, Washington or California, you may be pleased to know that you’re moving to areas where you have first-hand access to some of the tastiest wine in the country. According to Food & Wine Magazine the West Coast is the home to the top vineyards in the U.S. And when you consider that wine grapes need at least 1,400 hours of annual sunlight during the growing season to ripen properly, it makes sense that this portion of the country would be optimal.
This West Coast Wineries infographic, just released in the U-Pack Press Room, depicts some of these locations (and never mind that they’re beautiful too).
If you haven’t had a chance to visit upack.com yet, you may not have noticed that we have a great deal of informative moving videos available that were designed to help with your move. You can find out more about U-Pack, get moving tips, and even see what hilariously funny Ed Sanders from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has to say about moving.
It’s Flashback Friday! Each week we revisit a blog topic that our readers find helpful. Today’s flashback: Moving Across Country Cheap. This post shows how you can move across country on a limited budget—with the convenience of getting to drive your own vehicle. Happy Friday!
Have you gotten a U-Pack moving quote yet? If you're searching for ways to move across the country cheap, it's a great solution.
Here's how it works:
ABF (U-Pack's transportation provider) delivers a moving trailer or moving container right to your door.
You load.
ABF picks it up and drives it to your new home.
You unload.
It's that easy. And the prices are worth bragging about. They compare to truck rental, but ABF does all the driving!
If you select a moving trailer, the cost is based on the amount of linear footage you shipment occupies (rather than weight) — and you pay only for the space you use. We'll provide a secure dividing wall to install after you finish loading that separates your goods from any boxed, packaged or palletized commercial goods on the trailer (there's only one household goods shipment per trailer). Customers love the flexibility of only paying for the space they use!
If you use a ReloCube, your price is based on the number of Cubes you use— regardless of how many you reserve. That means if you think you'll need four, but end up fitting everything into three, you only pay for three. Like with the trailer, ReloCube customers love not being penalized for renting more than they need.
How Does U-Pack Move You Across the Country so Cheap? Good question – we get it a lot. Here's the short answer: ABF offers one of the most efficient linehaul transportation systems in the industry. Through a carefully planned system of terminals throughout the U.S., we're able to transport goods all across the country swiftly and with one of the lowest claim ratios in the industry. Transporting goods this way lowers cost, and in return, we pass on the cost savings to our customers.
If you have questions about moving cross country cheap with U-Pack, let us know! You can call us at 800-413-4799 or simply request an instant moving quote by entering your move information online. Good luck on your move!
Moving cubes, what a great idea! That’s exactly what U-Pack thought when we designed the ReloCube®, a 6’ x 7’ x 8’ portable moving and storage container that sits flat on the ground.
What makes it even more perfect is that you can rent as many as you think you’ll need, and pay only for what you actually use. That’s right. Let’s say you’re moving a one-bedroom apartment and you’ve got a lot of stuff. You’ve completed every space estimator you can find and you really think you need three moving cubes. ABF drops three cubes off at your apartment, you start loading. Half-way through, you decide you don’t want the raggedy old couch and matching chair, or the five boxes of clothes you don’t wear anymore—donate. Now it looks like you can fit everything into TWO cubes! When the ABF driver comes to pick up the cubes, you simply tell the driver you only used two (and he will notate it on the Bill of Lading by writing in the cube numbers). When it’s billed, you’re only charged for two! Customer’s love the flexibility.
So, if you’re moving a larger home, a small apartment or you need to safely ship items like motorcycles, U-Pack has you covered.
The Moving Cube’s Construction The ReloCube is a custom-built, weatherproof container. It’s equipped with logistics tracking for tie rings to secure your items in place. It sits flat on the ground for convenient loading and unloading, and fits easily into a standard-size parking space. Just place your own padlock on the Cube for added security and you’re ready to go. They can be used for moving, storage or both.
Reserving a Moving Cube It’s easy. Once you get a free moving quote, you can reserve online or by phone—800-413-4799. No down payment or deposit is required!
Since 1790 the U.S. census has been tracking the mean center of the U.S. population. According to this infographic, titled How Moving Companies are Changing the U.S. Landscape, at first count it was 23 miles east of Baltimore, but over the years it has moved steadily west, and more recently south. I’m certain I would have never guessed the current population center (as of the 2010 census). Plato, Missouri — an incorporated village in Texas County, Missouri with a population of only around 2,000.
The infographic also depicts the “30 Best Cities for Starting Over,” the “Top 10 cities in the U.S. by Population,” and “The Most Common State-to-State Moves.” It’s definitely worth checking out.
If you’re on Twitter and you’re U.S. military family, there are some fantastic resources at your fingertips. Because U-Pack is involved in so many PCS moves, we try to stay on top of the leading military resources. Check out our list of the 15 Military Tweeters You Should Be Following—I think you’ll find some of the best. @ABFUPackMoving follows all of them, and we think you should too!
@Militarymommy01 I’m not sure where she finds all of these great deals, but there’s no doubt the folks following her love them!
@MilAve_Leanne If you’re passionate about supporting the military, you’ll enjoy these tweets.
@MilitaryAvenue Great support for the American military family – information on relocation, travel and lifestyle.
@Armywives101 She shares awesome deals and provides great support for military wives.
@Mildutystations These tweets offer a wealth of information. From recipes to relocation to travel—you’ll love it!
@MyMission2Save If you’re a bargain shopper (and who isn’t these days), you definitely want to follow these tweets. Great place to find deals at the military px and bx, commissary deals and more!
@troopswap This is where you’ll find a ton of awesome exclusively military deals.
@ArmyWifeNetwork If you’re looking for a great resource for connecting with other military spouses or getting support through blogs, podcasts and columns, you’ll find it here.
@FrugalNavyWife The Frugal Navy Wife knows how to save. You’ll get several tweets a day with some great, too-good-to-pass-up deals.
@spouseBUZZ They are very active tweeters at @spouseBUZZ. You’ll love all of the great info they share. Definitely worth following.
@marriedtoarmy There’s absolutely a reason they made our top 15 list—you’ll find very active tweeters who are fantastic at interacting with their followers. If you need questions answered about a new duty station—follow @marriedtoarmy.
@OpWeAreHere They are all about supporting the military family at @OpWeAreHere. You’ll find more helpful resources than you can imagine—and lots of opportunities for free stuff.
@FrugalArmyWife Another fabulous place to find tons of deals. It seems like the tweets some kind of deal literally every two hours. Love that!
@ChristianMWs This is a Bible-based organization that is designed to provide support to military wives and their families. If you’re looking for support, you’ll positively find it here.
@MilitaryChild If you’re a military family with children, www.militarychild.org is a great resource. It’s designed to support the children of men and women serving in the armed forces.
Any other Tweets you think we should be following? We would love for you to share!
If you reserve a moving trailer, this is what will be delivered right to your door:
A nice, clean, empty ABF tractor and trailer.
Moving Trailer Delivery
The ABF driver will detach the tractor from the moving trailer and leave just the trailer behind. Simply advise him where you would like it parked. The trailer is 28' long, 8.5' wide and 13' tall (from the ground), so you'll want to verify there is a space that's at least 42' long, 10' wide and 14' high for delivery and pick-up. It needs a space that's approximately the length of two full-size SUV's end-to-end for parking.
You have up to three business days to load (so if we deliver on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, the weekend gives you two extra days!). If you need it picked up sooner, just let us know. We recommend checking with your local parking authority, HOA, storage unit, or apartment management to determine how long the moving trailer can be left at your location. There are some locations were parking restrictions won't allow overnight parking. When this is the case, we can normally accommodate a same day drop-off and pick-up or a live-load/unload-please speak with your U-Pack representative for details.
Inside the Moving Trailer
The space inside a U-Pack trailer is actually equivalent in size to a 26' rental truck plus a 10' rental truck. Its capacity is 825 lbs. per linear foot (which is a total of 24,000 lbs.). An empty ABF trailer is estimated to weigh between 7,400-8,000 lbs. Considering this, we recommend parking it only on pavement or packed gravel.
Loading the Moving Trailer
All ABF moving trailers are rear-loading. Some are equipped with swing doors and some with roll-up doors. In most trailers you'll find the footage pre-marked in two-foot increments. I still like to recommend that customers use a measuring tape to mark off the footage in one-foot increments (chalk or tape works perfectly for this). Then you'll know your exact price as you're loading; a benefit our customers love!
Feel free to use blocks and braces while you're loading; they're helpful in preventing shifting in transit. You can nail them to the floor of the trailer. If the trailer doesn't have tie points where you need them, you can use screw hooks and eyes to assist in securing your shipment. Some moving trailers are equipped with logistical points (slots up and down the walls), some have tie rings high on the trailer wall, and some only the wooden floor which allows for the use of blocks and braces. You're welcome to request the type of trailer you prefer-the local ABF terminal will do their best to accommodate your needs.
The Ramp
Your moving trailer comes equipped with a ramp for loading and a ramp for unloading. I say it this way because the ramp doesn't travel with the trailer-it stays with the local terminal. That means instead of packing it in with your belongings, you'll simply place it in front of the bulkhead when you finish loading, and we'll remove it before the trailer begins to travel. Then we'll provide one at the destination for unloading. In most circumstances, if you need use of the entire trailer and there's no room for the ramp, it's no problem. Just notify the local ABF terminal and we'll send another truck to retrieve it. Though it is extremely rare, there are occasional exceptions to ramp availability (in areas not serviced direct by ABF)-your U-Pack representative will notify you of any issues. Click here to view the ramp set up instructions.
The Secure Shipment Divider
Every U-Pack moving trailer comes equipped with a Secure Shipment Divider. You will install it after all of your belongings are loaded. It consists of two identical 4' x 8' plywood panels. The purpose of this secure shipment divider is to separate your belongings from other goods on the moving trailer. Keep in mind that your belongings will never be co-mingled with other household goods (another benefit U-Pack customers love). If your shipment doesn't occupy the entire moving trailer, the remaining space is loaded with boxed, palletized or crated commercial goods. Click here for more information about the Secure Shipment Divider.
Wow! This is a lot of information. But hopefully you'll find it very helpful if you're considering a trailer move. If you have any questions about moving in an ABF trailer, or to get a free moving quote, let us know! We'll be happy to help!
Since Flashback Friday was so successful in 2011, we’re bringing it with us into 2012! Today’s post: Military Moving. If you’ve ever had questions about doing a Personally Procured Move, keep reading—we’ve got answers! Happy Friday!
If you have Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and have determined that a PPM Move (formally DITY Move) is your best money-saving solution, there are a few things you'll need to know:
First, we recommend taking full advantage of the Relocation Readiness Program at the base you're relocating to. You'll find this a huge help in acclimating you and your family to your new home. Through the Relocation Readiness Program, you'll find ways to make military relocation easier, like newcomer orientation, welcome packets, and general information about the area.
Second, if you're planning a military move in the form of a Personally Procured Move, it's important to follow the proper guidelines to ensure government reimbursement (the military offers monetary incentive to eligible service members for completing a “do it yourself” move; if the cost to move is less than your allowance, you get to pocket the rest).
Here are tips for making sure your military move goes smoothly:
Get prior approval. It’s a requirement, so make an appointment with the Transportation Office ahead of time. Without prior approval, you risk not being reimbursed.
Supply the Transportation Office with proper paperwork. You will need four copies of your PCS orders, and complete DD Form 2278 (application for DITY Move).
Begin getting moving quotes. Get moving quotes from companies that specialize in military moving—verify that they can guarantee full and empty weight tickets, and make sure to ask about a military moving discount.
Reserve your military move. Double check your Bill of Lading or contract to make certain full and empty weight tickets are included.
Visit the dispersing office. Pick up your advance operating allowance.
Submit a settlement claim. Once you take delivery of your shipment at destination, your claim should be submitted to the inbound Transportation Office within 45 days of your move. Necessary documents include: Copy of PCS orders
Original DD Form 2278
All receipts for moving expenses (attach to DITY move certification)
Statement of expenses actually incurred
Voucher for advance operating allowance
U-Pack Bill of Lading
Certified empty & loaded weight tickets
Original DD Form 1351-D (travel voucher) with address, dates and service member's signature
Receive Reimbursement. Your military moving payment should typically be received within 30-90 days of submitting paperwork to the TMO. Incentive is equal to 95% of what it would have cost the government to move the property, and final reimbursement is based on the actual weight moved (which is why weight tickets are a requirement).
Keep everything. Make sure to keep all receipts and copies of all documents for tax purposes.
If you have questions about specific military moving requirements and reimbursement procedures, the best resource is the Transportation Office at your outbound base. For questions about U-Pack's military moving services, please call 800-413-4799. Make sure to mention that it's a military move and we'll add weight tickets along with your military moving discount.
You’re moving, right? Does it sometimes feel like there’s no end to your “to do” list? I hate to add to your already hectic day, but if you’re considering a rental truck for your move, there’s one more thing you’ll need to think about (if you haven’t already)—INSURANCE. Ugh. Not really what you want to deal with on top of everything else, but it’s definitely necessary. If you haven’t talked to your agent in a while, now’s the time.
But before you pick up the phone, keep in mind that you don’t have to worry about insurance when you move with U-Pack—ABF does all the driving—alleviating any worries of having an accident in a rental truck. And it definitely helps that the cost of moving long-distance with U-Pack compares to the cost of moving in a rental truck. If you haven’t gotten a free moving quote yet, I highly recommend it!
Let’s break down how rental truck insurance works:
To help make your decision, it’s important to understand how rental truck insurance works, and what you can expect to pay for it.
First, never assume you’re insured without checking first. Ask your auto insurance provider this question: “Does my personal auto insurance coverage extend to rental trucks with a gross vehicle weight that exceeds 9,000 lbs.?” Likely it will not.
If it doesn’t, it’s wise to add it through the rental truck company. If the unexpected happens (and we all know it occasionally does), the cost to repair or replace a rental truck can be significant. In fact, U-Haul says it would cost around $38,000 to replace a 26’ rental truck! OUCH!
According to U-Haul’s website, they offer two levels of coverage for rental truck customers: Safemove® and Super Safemove®. Both of these provide protection if the rental truck is damaged while in your possession. Including this coverage adds from $75 to $135 to your rental truck price.
According to Budget’s website, they offer four plans: Plan 1 - Damage Waivers; Plan 2 - Supplemental Liability Insurance; Plan 3 – Personal; Plan 4 - Cargo and Auto Tow Protection. The rates for these service plans vary state to state, so only the local agent can tell you how much your price will increase by adding this coverage—something else to add to your “to do” list.
U-Pack liability coverage:
Like I mentioned before, since ABF drives the moving truck, you don’t have to worry about insuring the equipment. You simply load your belongings into the truck, secure them tightly for safe transit and install a secure divider wall. U-Pack will drive it to your new home. Each U-Pack move includes standard liability coverage for the contents of the trailer. You can read more about U-Pack’s liability coverage here: http://www.upack.com/about/liability.asp. And if you have questions about it, make sure to ask a helpful U-Pack moving coordinator at 800-413-4799. They’ll be happy to explain it to you!
If you’re a Culinary Entrepreneur, hoping to open a restaurant, here are some cities you may want to look into: Top 5 Cities to Open a Restaurant.
This infographic looks at the country’s top spots to open a restaurant calculated by business-friendliness and the strength of the local restaurant scene—and there are a few surprises!
If you’re from one of these areas (or a frequent visitor), our readers would love to know your recommendations!
