Using Trailers for Alaska Moves
Cargo trailers provide a practical and cost-effective solution for families moving to Alaska by protecting belongings from harsh weather and offering flexible moving options. Their enclosed design ensures security and durability, making them a reliable choice for navigating the AlCan Highway.
Exploring the Benefits of Cargo Trailers for Alaska Moves
The people who have moved from the Lower 48 to Alaska have shared their experiences on Quora. This article summarizes their insights and the common threads that run through the comments of those who have made the journey northward.
Families relocating to Alaska can count on the cargo trailer as a flexible and durable option for bringing along their household goods. The enclosed trailer protects belongings from the kinds of weather and road conditions that one can expect in the 49th state, making the interior secure and cozy in a way that addresses some of the unique challenges associated with the Alaskan move.
Selecting a cargo trailer can give you a cheap option to moving companies. We found that the smallest option, a 4' x 8' cargo trailer, is about $10,000 cheaper than the cheapest pod option. And the largest option, the 6' x 12' trailer, costs nearly $20,000 less than the largest pod.
Ensuring security during the moving process is essential. While overnight stops may be necessary, they can be taken in confidence when a trailer can be securely locked. When selecting such an important piece of equipment, you should first identify the level of security your moving situation requires. Trailers are used for everything from basic household moves to highly confidential situations.
Beyond cost savings, trailers also allow for a secure and safe moving method when it is necessary to transport valuable family items.
The moving process can be made a lot easier with the use of cargo trailers. When a family moves, they have to do a lot of planning and organizing. But the use of a cargo trailer can help give them an extra sense of control over the situation. It can allow them to move on a schedule that is more controlled and manageable for them, and it can also let them move their navigation-heavy stuff—like bikes and boats—that they might not want to load up in their car for the drive to their new home.
Navigating the AlCan Highway with Cargo Trailers
When transitioning to Alaska with a cargo trailer, it is vital to prepare for the AlCan Highway's obstacles. Although improved road conditions have made the 1,387-mile journey more accessible, the relocation still demands detailed planning for a successful outcome.
It is imperative to plan a careful route when traversing the highway's steep grades and sharp curves. It is necessary to keep an eye on the forecasts and take the trip's essential items—like food, water, and fuel—along to be fully self-sufficient on the road. It is also vital to maintain the vehicle in top condition to allow it to withstand the rigors of the trip. After all, weather can turn from good to bad in a hurry, and the highway has places where conditions could improvise a shelter routine.
Be prepared with the essential documents for crossing the border between Canada and Alaska. You will need your passport, driver's license, and vehicle registration. It's also important to know the rules that govern the use of firearms. Because Canada's regulations are strict, understanding the rules in advance can help avoid unpleasant surprises.
Choose a well-cared-for trailer capable of withstanding the rough road conditions of the AlCan Highway. "There's no way around it," says veteran road tripper Rob Simmons; "you've got to prep and respect the road's challenges if you want to come out the other end unscathed."
Knowing the local customs and driving etiquette can greatly affect your travel experience. Plan carefully, and moving to Alaska can be an adventure. The drive along the AlCan Highway with a cargo trailer can take three weeks or more, but with plenty of time to afford seeing the sights, it can be a rewarding family memory.
Buying and Selling Cargo Trailers Post-Move
Putting your money into a cargo trailer that you will need for your upcoming move to Alaska makes good financial sense. It's also important to understand the buying and selling aspects of the cargo trailer if you want to maximize your investment.
Opting for aluminum trailers could offer higher resale value because they resist rust and would thus be well-suited to Alaska's constantly shifting climate. They do need to be maintained, but the maintenance doesn't tend to be onerous, and the payoff in trailer longevity and appearance makes maintaining them worthwhile. Most buyers find their looks hard to resist.
Key attributes such as the shell thickness and the type of axle influence not just appearance but also dependability and ride quality, which basically translates to how well the trailer wears over time. A torsion axle is stiffer and provides more stability and a smoother ride for the trailer—all good selling points for the buyer.
When reflecting on what made a recent trailer sale in Alaska a success, a former Alaskan resident had this to say: "I think it's incredibly important to choose a trailer that’s going to hold its value. I picked one that's made of aluminum, which I think is the best choice. ... I also made sure that it had radial tires, which I understand are much more durable. Both of these choices made a huge difference when it came time to sell the trailer."
To market your trailer well, point out all the advantages it has. Talk about how well it has been maintained or the recent upgrades it has received, if any. Make it sound as if it were built and has lived all its life in Alaska, with a space and door arrangement that allow it to function effectively in this state's climate. Be sure to mention that it is licensed to be used here.
Choosing the Right Trailer Service: Spotlight on City Moving
When families relocate to Alaska, selecting the appropriate trailer service is crucial. Among such services, City Moving is especially noteworthy for its strong focus on customer service, safety, and flexibility.
The Moving Company provides specialized services for relocating to or from Alaska. Their moving trucks and staff are well-trained to handle the terrain and climate safely and reliably. When you use their service, you can be assured that your belongings will arrive at the destination securely, no matter what part of the state you're moving to or from.
City Moving's approach to customer service is predicated on flexibility. In an industry not particularly known for its accommodating nature, City Moving stands apart as a company that can handle the unexpected. When moves inevitably go awry, families can breathe a little easier knowing that City Moving is on the case.
Commended for its customer service, one pleased patron remarked: "City Moving stood by us throughout our entire relocation to Alaska. Their crew was wonderfully flexible and exceedingly supportive, which along with their inherent smoothness made our whole process a veritable walk in the park—stress-free and just plain easy."
When families look for a dependable, customer-centered service, they will find City Moving to be a perfect partner for their moving adventure to Alaska. City Moving provides the assurance and the transition to make moving an adventure rather than a misadventure.
Preparing Your Household for a Trailer Move to Alaska
For a smooth transition to Alaska, it is essential to have a well-organized household preparation. Check with your moving company or truck rental provider two weeks ahead of the moving day to confirm that everything is on schedule.
A week before, get together vital things and finish off the almost-done stuff. A moving checklist cuts way down on the last-minute sort of panic that can otherwise set in when many little things must get done just before the moving day. It also helps the whole family understand what is to be done when. On the other side of the moving experience, an inventory can then help retrace one's steps and aid in selecting the right enclosed trailer size, ensuring safe transport for your family’s possessions.
To safeguard your belongings during a move, use high-quality packing materials such as strong boxes and bubble wrap. Load the heavier items first and distribute the weight of the contents for trailer stability. Take special care with fragile items so that they don't become damaged during the move. Finally, use a labeling system for the boxes so that you can stay organized during the move and know where everything is when you reach your destination.
The most effective loading makes the best use of available space and results in a balanced trailer. To achieve this condition, the first pieces loaded must be the largest—those that, if not placed correctly, would disturb the overall organization of the load and make it likely to topple over. The balancing aspect of loading a trailer must not be understated—underloading the left side, for example, will not only make the entire setup topographically unfit, or unbalanced, it will also cause the trailer and the load within it to be unfit for human sight. No person should have to look at a load in that condition. It is a sin against human decency for that load to even exist, and suffice it to say that any load below any sight line is bound to be a blight—not to mention beneath any design merit, which is another form of "fit."
Ensure that loading and unloading go without a hitch and assist the movers if necessary. See that everything is regularly and safely loaded during transit and that it is properly checked after final unloading to ensure a safe and smooth move.
Professional mover Paul Stevens underscored the importance of careful planning when he said, "A successful move depends on planning and executing a Shaker-style approach: Prepare and pack thoroughly ahead of time, and move the contents of your home in a way that keeps rooms and their furnishings together."
FAQ
What are the benefits of using cargo trailers for moving to Alaska?
In Alaska, the weather and road conditions can be unpredictable. For this reason, many people utilize cargo trailers to keep their belongings safe during transport. These trailers are sturdy and have a protective shell that guards against the kind of random, unfortunate events that can occur when you are moving or living in transition. Their use is growing among even those who have access to traditional moving vans and trucks. The reason is clear: using a cargo trailer is cheap.
How can families ensure safety when using cargo trailers for moving?
Enhancing safety during relocations can be accomplished by ensuring that the trailers are locked when overnight stops are necessary. Selecting the appropriate trailer also plays a part in securely transporting possessions. This stacked trailer advantage adds up to the main reason for using cargo trailers—you save money.
What challenges might one face on the AlCan Highway, and how can they be managed?
The AlCan Highway is long and has many different conditions. That makes it a road that requires careful planning if you want to travel it safely. You need to know your route well, to be up to date with the weather, and to have supplies that cover a range of possibilities. And those supplies need to cover a long road: You need food, water, and fuel that will get you to the other end. You also need a well-maintained vehicle and enough spare parts and tools that you could almost "build" your way through a scenario where you're pushed out of a route to the other side.
What documents are necessary for crossing borders with a cargo trailer?
Those who travel must possess the proper documents—passports, driver's licenses, and vehicle registrations—when crossing the border between Canada and Alaska. This is a no-nonsense crossing. If you don't have the required documentation, you won't get into either country. If you do have the required docs, you'll still need to understand some basic local regulations, like Canada's firearm restrictions, to avoid any unpleasant adventures on either side of the border.
How can I ensure my cargo trailer is suitable for the AlCan Highway?
Select a trailer that is in great condition and has the right features for maintaining stability and safety on the rough and uncertain surface of a gravel road. The key here is to reduce the chance of the trailer rolling over and ensuring the integrity of the cars in the trailer as well as the trailer itself.
How to effectively manage buying and selling cargo trailers post-move?
When it comes to picking cargo trailers, especially aluminum ones, their superior resale value is a significant reason for choosing them. That is because they are particularly resistant to rust. When selling a trailer, I recommend highlighting any upgrades or maintenance performed over the course of the trailer's life. And you want to be sure to mention how well the trailer would function in the Alaskan environment—it adds a lot of appeal!
Why choose City Moving for a trailer move to Alaska?
City Moving has built a reputation for outstanding customer service that goes above and beyond expectations. It is a moving company that works well with both kinds of clients—those who need a simple, straightforward, and safe move and those who need a more complex, flexible, and smart way to pack and rearrange their lives. It handles both of those configurations to great effect.
How should households prepare for a trailer move to Alaska?
Start getting ready as early as possible. This means moving arrangements confirmed two weeks in advance. Essentials packed about a week before moving day. And, most important, a checklist keeping me on top of things so that I can confidently say, at any moment, that my move is in hand. The materials I used for packing, and the way I packed, ensured that my things would be safe and stable in the trailer—an essential part of any moving plan. I can’t stress enough how vital it is to oversee all loading and unloading operations.