How to Transport Machines in the Rain...?

jim109

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Hi all,

I am going to pick up a machine today and it looks like its going to be raining and unfortunately all I have is the back of my truck. Is wrapping them completely in plastic wrap going to keep out the rain? Will the plastic wrap harm the graphics or anything? Any better suggestions?

Thanks!

Jim
 
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I use one of those elastic cargo nets stretched across the truck bed, then lay a large tarp over it. I load the game, fold the tarp over it, then if there isn't enough overlap lay another tarp over it, and then hook the cargo net to itself wrapping the whole package up nice and tight like a mummy.

Never had a drop on any of the games I've moved that way.
 
You can use stretch wrap, but be sure to get it off of the game the minute you get it home and indoors.

I got about a 4 hour trip to make with it unfortunately. I'm definately worried the plastic wrap won't last that long is the problem.
 
I use one of those elastic cargo nets stretched across the truck bed, then lay a large tarp over it. I load the game, fold the tarp over it, then if there isn't enough overlap lay another tarp over it, and then hook the cargo net to itself wrapping the whole package up nice and tight like a mummy.

Never had a drop on any of the games I've moved that way.

You transport it standing up then I take it .. and not lying down?
 
Get a heavy-duty plastic drop-cloth (or 2) from Ace/HomeDespot/Menards and mummify that bad boy - wrap several times and use plenty of duct tape. Transport it on it's back with the seam(s) on the bottom. You can also put some 2x4s on the truck bed to keep the game up and out of the water in the bed. Then ratchet-strap it down.

Had a friend transport a nice original Ms Pac-Man from La Crosse to Madison in a downpour in an open pickup truck and it arrived safe and completely dry.

Like Phet said, as soon as you arrive, get it in the garage and get the wrapping off.

Should be OK.

RM
 
ive moved 2 games in the rain, wrapped in tarp and layed down. you need to realize they dont really get wet while ur driving, its only when you stop. I had it where the one tarp only ended up covering half a game and it never got wet.
 
That's s a long drive so it might be worth going the extra mile protecting it. Get a lot of stretch wrap and wrap it up like a mummy. After that, blanket wrap it and then cover it with a tarp. The tarp should deflect most of the water and the blanket should soak up what does get through and then will allow it to drip off the sides. Your mummy wrap should be enough to protect it if you've wrapped it VERY tight. Don't go loose on your wrap job or water will leak in. If you can, and this would be a pain, but if you get to a clear spot in the weather, check under the tarp and blanket. If your wrapping is wet and you can see water getting in, unwrap it and wrap it again after wiping it down with some towels.

I'd hate to move games in the rain, but if I had to, I'd go all out to protect them.
 
Ive moved 100's of games in the rain, literally hundreds. Go to rural king, famr and fllet, home depot, or somewhere like that and get a tarp. Lay the tarp down on the gound, then dolly the game to the center of the trap. Fold the tarp up on the sides as high as you can go, then shrink wrap the hell out of the game. being sure to go over the top real good.

You mentioned worrying about the wrap comming off with the drive. To prevent that, take a roll of packing tape, like the 2 inch wide kind. start at the bottom and just walk around the machine so that the tape goes about every 18 inches, this will keep the shinkwrap from being able to be frayed and coming off. If you do the game like this, not a single drop will get on the game.

Like a few others have said, once you get to your destination, remove all the wrapping.

The key part that i mentioned that others have not is by placing the game on the tarp you are covering the bottom. The bottom is actually the worst part that most dont cover. When you are driving, the water from the street actually flies up and back into your vehicle because of the air draft.

Lastly, if your game gets wet, dont sweat it. The game getting wet is not what hurts the game. The game staying wet is what does the damage. always wipe your game down when you get done with the trip to get the moisture from humidity off.

troy
 
Get a very large tarp and lay it on the ground.
Roll the machine onto the middle of the tarp, then bring the corners of the tarp up and over the machine.
Use some duct tape to secure the corners (don't get any on the machine itself).
Now fully wrap the tarped game in stretch wrap... round and round ya go...
then use some more duct tape to secure the stretch wrap.
You can now transport it on its back or standing up.

This treatment should keep it dry through a Category 5 hurricane.
 
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Is this just a big sheet of plastic or is there some cloths with plastic in the middle or something?

Thanks!

Jim

Giant sheets of heavy translucent plastic. It's kind of whitish-partially-see-through-ish.

Thick and tough, all plastic - no backing.

Like this stuff:
http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Prof...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Husky 6 Mil, 10 Ft. x 100 Ft. Clear Polyethylene Sheeting Roll
Model # CFHK0610C Internet/Catalog # 100651788
Store SKU # 748137

This is a giant roll - you would be good with a smaller roll, but you get the idea.

An additional plastic tarp with grommets at the corners and edges, bungied down over the whole thing is not a bad idea, either.

RM
 
Where can I get a huge roll of stretch wrap? I'm thinking the little rolls at grocery stores aint gonna cut it ;)

Thanks for all the great replies so far! I'm starting to think this might be possible ;) I'm goign to hit Home Depot shortly and see if I can find some huge tarps.

Thanks again!

Jim
 
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go the lazy route.. Rent a U-haul box trailer and tow it behind the truck. Less time dealing with wrapping and undwrapping etc.. If you don't already have the wrap supplies (tarps, plastic wraps, bungees etc) than it will be about the same price anyways.
 
I moved my Judge Dredd in the rain... I used a mini van with the middle and rear seats removed. Stayed nice and dry the whole time.
 
Where can I get a huge roll of stretch wrap? I'm thinking the little rolls at grocery stores aint gonna cut it ;)

Thanks for all the great replies so far! I'm starting to think this might be possible ;) I'm goign to hit Home Depot shortly and see if I can find some huge tarps.

Thanks again!

Jim

I forgot my wrap at home so I bought a big roll of stretch wrap at Staples.It was more expensive but it worked..
 
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