Options for traveling with multiple animals, stuff, etc.? (mover, rentals, truck)

[NekkidFish]

During our past moves, the company shipped our cars, and we rented an RV to drive with our dogs, the cat, and all of my valuable machinery and computers ... And we camped across the states from KY to CA.

The first time, we had to fly to Naperville, IL to get the RV, and then drive it back to KY to begin our trek across country. One-way RV rentals with Cruise America is all based on availability, and you are stuck with whatever they have available. It can be a very iffy situation, and one where you are not locked into a reservation, until the last moment, based on what they can find for you.

Last move went a little smoother, and I only had to drive about 50 miles to get the RV.

Now there is a slim chance that we will be moving back cross country, and I am trying to think of what our other options might be.

I was thinking maybe renting a cargo van, fitting in what we can, and stopping at hotels, instead of the RV/camping route. But, it looks like there are not any companies that rent cargo vans one way .... unless I am not looking at the right companies?

We have 1 medium sized dog, two tiny dogs, one cat .... As well as all of our personal belongings and computers and some expensive sewing and embroidery machines.

Can anybody think of any other alternatives?

We can fly with the little dogs and the cat, but I will not fly my bigger dog in cargo, so that is not an option.

Thanks for any and all ideas!!

HUGz! Jules

[sll3454]

Drive one car and one rental truck, and stop at hotels.

[NekkidFish]

I don't know if either of us could handle driving 2000 miles by ourselves, with the dogs. We're not spring chickens! LOL

[reed303]

Would a full-size SUV, like a Chev Suburban or Ford Expedition, be large enough for the animals, then pull a trailer for the "machinery" ??

[NekkidFish]

Originally Posted by reed303

Would a full-size SUV, like a Chev Suburban or Ford Expedition, be large enough for the animals, then pull a trailer for the "machinery" ??

We talked about that. My mid size dog (40 pounds) makes this option just a tad tricky. For whatever reason, when she is in an RV, where she can walk around, she is fine. However, when we put her in a car, she tends to puke.

But, I do wonder how she would do in a van or SUV where there is more room. We both have mid size cars, so I don't know how she would do.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by NekkidFish

I don't know if either of us could handle driving 2000 miles by ourselves, with the dogs.
We're not spring chickens! LOL

You should have said that before.

Hire a mover to move the furniture and boxes.
Drive a car with the pets (or the RV again). Stop often

[NekkidFish]

Originally Posted by MrRational

You should have said that before.

Hire a mover to move the furniture and boxes.
Drive a car with the pets (or the RV again). Stop often

We will have a mover moving all of our furnishing, and a transport company taking the cars.

The issue is four animals and my machines.

[willow wind]

Try Enterprise rent a car. They may do a one way cargo van rental for an extra fee.

[vermonter16]

I'm still trying to figure out how to move with 10 cats and we are only going 650 miles....

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by vermonter16

I'm still trying to figure out how to move with 10 cats and we are only going 650 miles....

Make two trips?