[AlwaysByMySide]

Here's the basics -

Two kids, both in car seats (one ff, one rf)
One moving truck
Towing one car
Will be at least one overnight on the way there.

The biggest issue I'm dealing with is can I put two car seats into a moving truck? (Obviously with no airbag/airbag turned off.) No, there is nobody who can drive the car with the kids in it.

My kids are good travelers, thank God. It's just working out the logistics of it all that's the hardest part.

 

[Freefromitall]

It's probably not the super-duper safest mode of transport EVER, but I don't see how it would be much different than say, a pickup with a reg cab and bench seat. I'm not a safety expert though

Maybe ask in the saftey forum?

 

[rubelin]

I'm pretty sure there are 3 seatbelts in those bench seats, but I'd call the rental place to double check. And I'd drive **REALLY** slowly

 

[AlwaysByMySide]

LOL, how do you balance driving really slowly, and just wanting to GET THERE?

I've never driven a moving truck before, and while I'll be getting one of the smaller ones, it's the driving a moving truck AND towing a car at the same time AND doing it by myself (i.e. no room for error) that I'm nervous about.

I posted in the family safety forum as well, but no responses yet.

I'm aiming for under 7 hours of driving per day, with a stop at a hotel overnight. No, I'm not looking forward to it!

 

[hugAmommy]

I just wanted to say that you are one one strong and independent mama. I give you credit doing a move like that alone with 2 kids.

I am moving June 1st to a new apartment in the same town and am already stressing about how to pack and move and clean and set up all on my own.

**** luck and I wish you the best.

 

[RiverSky]

Some moving trucks don't have a radio, let alone a cd or cassette player, so consider bringing along a portable CD player with batteries, and a bunch of music or stories-on-CD that they will enjoy. Of course, bring a bunch of snacks and toys, that you can rotate, so that each time you stop, you can give them something new to keep their attention.

I actually have always preferred driving at night with my LOs (even now, when they aren't so little) because they tend to relax and/or sleep so much, so if you tend to have energy after dark, try to do some of your driving then.

 

[Avani]

I drove in three hour stints if possible. Stopping for lunch then dinner and then gas. The hotel was our downtime and i didn't hurry it. I would drive from 10am until 5 pm and then stop for the night. Some moving trucks have back seats too. THe bigger trucks do at least. You can do it! Good luck!

 

[Lysa]

I don't know about the particular truck you will have, but we've had multiple p/u trucks. Two car seats in the front seat next to you? Squished! (I would imagine.) If there's a bench behind you, I'd put the front facing behind you so I could move up the passenger seat to accomodate the rear-facing.

I did a three day trip with my 7yo, 3yo, and 2yo. My parents encouraged me to get up and out early, so we could get to the hotel destination early enough to enjoy the pool. Me:

My plan was instead to drive the most when they napped the most. So, since mine are most active in the morning, we would leave after an early breakfast, drive for about 2 hrs, and stop for an activity for a few hours. Think of something small, hands-on and free/cheap - we visited a small butterfly house, the John Deer Museum, and something else... We'd grab a small lunch and be off for a long drive, while they napped away the afternoon. I tried to find a good hotel with a restaurant right next door. We'd park the car, go check in the hotel, then walk to the restaurant (need to get the wiggles out before sitting again for food!). We'd then take a longer walk back to the hotel, and try to get more energy out before unwinding in the tub, and snuggling in bed. Never ever did I consider finding time to hop in the pool - I am not an octopus.
We had a WONDERFUL trip. I ordered AAA tour books ahead, and highlighted things on our route, so I could be prepared for a needed stop.
I had ONE bag that we took into the hotel (in addition to the diaper bag). And I had my sling for the little one. I kept snacks in the car for the ride. That bag didn't leave the front seat.
I realized that I had to be flexible. I could either make it an enjoyable adventure, or we could all suffer a horrible trip. Fun music and stories on tape/CD will help too. I did not make hotel reservations ahead, since I wasn't sure where we were going to be able to stop. One night, where I thought we would stop turned out to be a dump. So we got back in the car and drove further. I knew there was a possibility we might need to take an extra day. If we needed to, we would have.

Good luck - and try to enjoy the adventure!

 

[jt'smum]

No idea! But you rock for doing it!! I get overworked when having to balance a baby and 7 yr old for a four hour drive..You can do it!

 

[AlwaysByMySide]

Did I mention I'll have two dogs with me too? Oy! So there'd only be so much stopping that I could do with dogs to handle as well. (I did 3 days across the country by myself with the two dogs and from there on a plane to Hawaii when my DD was 6 months. That really wasn't that bad. Sounds like a piece of cake compared to this scenario.)

I have a portable DVD player that kept them pretty well entertained when we drove to Florida a few months ago. And they really are good road travelers. I'm more worried about the logistics of driving a truck with a car towed behind it than I am about how the kids would handle it. It would be a smaller truck - 14 feet (all of the 10 foot ones only have two seats.)

The only problem with me driving at night while they are asleep is that they would then be awake the next day when I would want to be catching up on sleep! (Although I AM usually wide awake at night, I'd also be worried about checking into a hotel in the wee hours of the morning, by myself with the entourage.)

The whole thing may end up falling through...I'll know in a couple of days. But I'm trying to work out in my head in case it does go through.

 

[hopeandolive]

I just wanted to say good luck.

I actually came on tonight to ask about traveling as a single parent (even though I am married...dh wouldn't be coming along). I'm currently laid off and want to take advantage of my time off and possible visit some friends/family and could possibly take a trip w/ a 24 hour drive. I have a 8 month old and an almost 4yr old.

I've driven a larger style uhaul and towed a vehicle and it wasn't too bad. I couldn't back it up to save my life, so be careful about that one and always put yourself in a position to "pull-through" if you can't back one of those babies up either! LOL It is tricky to say the least!

 

[meemee]

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

 

[Tilia]

I have driven a uhaul with a car being towed. It is not as bad as you think. We just drove 55 or slower on the interstate.

I would google some parks along the way and make frequent stops.

When I read the title, I was going to say "hire movers!" but anything more than a local move can get expensive. I have movers here that charge $75/hour but that is just for local. It is well worth the money!

 

[DogwoodFairy]

Well, I dont have much advice, except to say: I did a cross-country (7 day) road trip with ONE toddler, and I did my best driving from 6pm (when he conked out for the night) until about midnight. I mean, I definitely drove during the day - with lots of breaks for eating, exploring McDonlads Playlands (

, stopping at rest areas to run and whatnot. But most of my good driving was that 5-6 hours of uninterrupted time. And NO way would I have driven through the night. You've got to get some sleep. Although I did drive through one night with some serious caffeine, it was to a destination where I knew I was going to stop for the day and rest (friend's house along the way). So I didnt mind doing the 18 hour driving marathon knowing I would have relief the next day.

Be safe. Oh, and I tried towing a car one time with my old Chevy Van (different road trip), and it SUCKED! I had to drive 45 mph on the highway. No advice for you there, just easy does it, you'll all get there fine

 

[Grace_Foley]

My suggestion is to place an ad with the local college; hire a student to drive the truck to your destination and you drive your car. It will be more expensive but it will be easier on you. Just set up where to met and by when, then drive the way you want, taking breaks as needed.

I drove a smallish U-Haul truck cross country by myself (pre-child) towing a car; it was HARD work. There is a lot of drag on the truck, it's a challenge turning it and parking in a hotel parking lot was a huge hassle! I did side swipe a couple of things luckily nothing was damaged, just embarrassing to my pride.

I hope to be moving across the country this summer depending on getting a new job

: so will be in a similar situation only I have one child and 2 cats. It'll take 4 days, at least, to make it to my destination.

What I thought I'd do is pay for one or two of my nephews to fly here and pay them to help me move; packing the truck and doing the driving of said truck. It will certainly add to the cost but still less than hiring movers.

Or, sell just about everything including the car and drive a small truck. The only things I would keep are clothes, toys, camping equipment and some household things like sentimental items and dishes.

 

[AlwaysByMySide]

Quote:

Or, sell just about everything including the car and drive a small truck.

I was planning on just getting the 10 foot truck, but nobody has a 10 foot truck with a bench seat. And I called outside of my county as well. So the smallest I can do is a 14 foot truck. I'm not bringing much with me. (My entire home from my move from Hawaii - don't know how many of you remember that - from a year ago is STILL in storage. Where it will stay for at least another year, if this cross-country move goes through.) All I'm basically bringing with me are clothes, my WAHM business supplies (which is the need for the truck in the first place - I have rolls and rolls and bolts of fabric...they are going to take up 75% of the space), a pack and play, and a toddler bed, and then just random stuff. Since I'm forced into a 14 footer, I'll probably end up bringing more than I would have with a 10 foot truck.

I even toyed with the idea of getting a trailer and putting a cartop carrier on my car, since the car itself is basically full of children, but it's a 4 cylinder sedan, so that's not going to fly.

I currently live in a small-ish city, and the cost of a flight into Chattanooga just isn't feasible. Plus I'd have to pay for hotel and whatnot along the way, and I don't have the money for that.

I know I CAN do it. Now it's just a matter of making it happen. (Actually, now it's a matter of hurry up and wait, until I see if the entire thing is going to fall through.)