What to buy to move games?

animesuperj

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
2,132
Reaction score
104
Location
Mukwonago, Wisconsin
I've currently got 8 games, and plan on getting more. Currently, to move any of the games, I have to borrow in the in-laws Durango and trailer (if needed), or a friends cargo van. I've been going back and forth on getting a truck of my own as a second vehicle, so I don't have to keep borrowing other peoples to move anything (not only arcades).

I'd ideally like to find something used, that's only going to cost a couple thousand (maybe 3k max?), has good reliability (don't have to drop a ton more into it just to keep it running, but basic maintenance is expected), handles well in snow (since it's Wisconsin, and I'd end up using it if it got bad out), and has enough space to haul a couple games. I've been coming back to getting a pickup, but am not sure which one; or if this is even the best option.

So what do other people use to move games, or would recommend getting in this situation?
 
Is there not a UHaul or truck/van rental place near you? 3K won't get you a very reliable truck IMO, and it's a lot cheaper to rent it as needed rather than spending that 3K all at once.
 
Borrow from Mr. Budget or Mr. Avis as needed. You can rent pickup trucks with unlimited mileage cheap. UHauls want $$$ per mile, so they are now my last resort. At $75 per day or less I can rent 40 times for your $3K. At once every 2 months (6x a year) that would last almost 7 years. Your beater truck probably won't last that long without service (even more $$$).

ken
 
There are uhaul's and other truck rentals places. My issue with them is I'd rather just buy a truck, since I'd use it for other stuff than just moving arcades. I've already had a lot of instances this year where I could have used something other than my Mitsubishi Lancer (I seriously can't fit anything in there, back seats don't even fold down...uhhhh....), and I don't want to rent a truck once or twice a month. I also live a bit outside Milwaukee, so driving into the city to pick something up, or by the arcade that has my DDR (it's about a 25 mile drive) will add up quickly when you have to pay for rental/miles/refill on gas.

Also, most of the time I have to move or buy things on sort notice, so adding in time to get a rental isn't ideal, since certain times of the week/month will be cheaper than others. I'd rather just have something at hand to jump in and take care of business.
 
Check out some old S-10's. I'm on my 2nd one since 1995 - I drive them as my daily car, and I never paid more than 4k for one.

I paid 4K from a dealership for the '99 I have now - and I've only had to replace the U-joints and some spark plug wires on them; apart from normal driving maintenance like tires, oil changes, etc. They are great little trucks.

I've fit 2 pins at a time, 3 vids at a time (all 3 classics), and something the size of a MK II fits just perfectly in the bed laying down.
 
I have a 97 Ranger I bought 6 or 7 years ago, (knocking on wood) I have never had an issue with it and I drive it daily. It has a long bed on it and I can easily get three games standing up in it. I think I paid just over 4k for mine when I bought it and I believe it had around 58k miles on it.
 
The way I see it, you'll be lucky to find a truck for 3K that's not a complete beater. You also have to figure in insurance, registration, etc. which you don't have to worry about if you rent.

Personally I would say get something that's going to be as simple as possible and as common as possible so you don't have a problem finding spare parts. Ford trucks have historically sold well so there's plenty of spare parts. Ford Ranger or F150 are pretty likely suspects IMO. But, 3K isn't much to work with.
 
I've currently got 8 games, and plan on getting more. Currently, to move any of the games, I have to borrow in the in-laws Durango and trailer (if needed), or a friends cargo van. I've been going back and forth on getting a truck of my own as a second vehicle, so I don't have to keep borrowing other peoples to move anything (not only arcades).

I'd ideally like to find something used, that's only going to cost a couple thousand (maybe 3k max?), has good reliability (don't have to drop a ton more into it just to keep it running, but basic maintenance is expected), handles well in snow (since it's Wisconsin, and I'd end up using it if it got bad out), and has enough space to haul a couple games. I've been coming back to getting a pickup, but am not sure which one; or if this is even the best option.

So what do other people use to move games, or would recommend getting in this situation?

As others have said: occasional rentals from somewhere that doesn't charge by the mile is probably your best bet. That's what I do right now, and I have previously used Enterprise.

I've just realized that there's an Avis & a Budget quite close to me as well, so I'll have to check them out next time I rent a vehicle for this kind of thing.

You might also want to look at a trailer hitch for the vehicle you have. A normal car can usually pull 1000-1500 lbs, depending, so you could either buy a small trailer, or rent one from UHaul as needed.
 
mhkohne said:
You might also want to look at a trailer hitch for the vehicle you have. A normal car can usually pull 1000-1500 lbs, depending, so you could either buy a small trailer, or rent one from UHaul as needed.
I've been thinking about this as well, and it might not be a bad idea. I don't have to pay more insurance, the in-laws have the trailer I could borrow (or eventually just get my own / rent for now), and looks like the initial cost would be ~$250 for the hitch and lights. Might look into this a bit more.

Thanks everyone for the responses so far!
 
I've been thinking about this as well, and it might not be a bad idea. I don't have to pay more insurance, the in-laws have the trailer I could borrow (or eventually just get my own / rent for now), and looks like the initial cost would be ~$250 for the hitch and lights. Might look into this a bit more.

Thanks everyone for the responses so far!

I got a hitch for my xB from HitchSource.com - they had a good package with the hitch, ball, light adapter, etc for one price, around $250. For the xB it was a no-drill install of the hitch, just bolt it up to existing holes in the frame. I actually haven't towed with it yet because I haven't had time to install the light adapter (apparently for this car you can't just tap in and wire the trailer lights in parallel - you need a little relay box, and I need to run a line up to the battery for that gizmo).
 
well, if you want to spend 3k max, i would get an old chevy/gmc k truck. 4wd, and a good solid runner. if you prefer cover and extra space, get a k5 blazer or a suburban. any of those you should be able to get in decent running condition for under 3k, and all will handle games. and be beefy enough to tow a trailer if needed. and be cheap to insure.
 
Just break the bank and roll this........ It has plenty of room. - barry
 

Attachments

  • smtruckpic.jpg
    smtruckpic.jpg
    11.6 KB · Views: 8
A friend of mine bought an 89 Chevy full sized Cheyenne truck with a liftgate for $1500 from a local soda pop vending company. He put $600 into hoses, belts, tuneup and an alternator and it's been a very reliable truck for over five years now that he's had it. Last month he had me rip out the stock radio and install a decent Pioneer radio and all new speakers. Now we got good sound for those long trips to the out-of-the-way locations.
 
I have a really nice Dodge pick up. I wouldn't trade it for anything, but, its the only new vehicle i've ever owned. Unless your mechanically inclined, i'd shy away from buying a cheap used truck. If you just haul stuff occasionally, a hitch and cheapie HF trailer would be a great option.
For around 400 bucks you can get a 4x8 trailer from Harbor freight. You'll have to put it together, and buy a piece of plywood to floor it with. But, it sounds like to me it would be all you need. And your out around 650 bucks total. Most likely, you can get a hitch, and light kit and install it yourself for less than 250, but, again, being mechanically inclined helps.
Still, 700 vs 3 grand is quite a savings. Heck, you could buy 8 or 10 games with the money you saved.
 
I would go with the 2 cars if you move a lot of stuff. I have 2 vehicles a Black 2000 VW Jetta and a 98 Ford Ranger Extended cab - which works great for moving a game or two. I bought it for 1200 with 144k - and drive it EVERYWHERE. It's a great vehicle and they are easy to work on. I used to have a 91 S10 that would drive everywhere for cheap and easy to maintain as well, but I killed it semi-intentionally.

If you don't mind mileage you can get them at a pretty good price- I finagled my ranger down to $1200 and took the savings from original asking price and put it directly into a decent tune up including a new water pump (just because I have bad luck with WP's and i can get most parts at cost), hoses, plugs, every filter imaginable, thermostat, etc. I still have well under $1500 into it. It has a clean title - purs like it should, no leaks of any kind - solid 3.0 in it.

A lot of parts on it are like 1/2 the price of my MKIV Jetta parts. Do you ever work on vehicles?

IMAG0380.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom