Moving a Gold Crown IV in a min van

A

aussieblake

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Somewhere I have read that a disassembled GC can fit in a minivan. I am buying a GC that is about 200 miles away and my vehicle options are a minivan (the wife's) or my extended cab full size pick up. I would have it moved by a table mechanic but the room it will reside in is not ready yet and it will be a few months before it is ready.

If it will fit in a minivan, how should the slates be positioned? Vertical is best but that may be difficult, is horizontal an option?

The concern about using the pick up is the finish on the skirts, they are like new now and do not want to damage them.

Any help or ideas is greatly appreciated.:smile:


aussieblake
 
Rent a one day Uhaul pickup to go get it.
Never mind I was thinking you were worried about your truck not the table.
Take the truck that is what you bought it for.
Minivans are for moving people.
 
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aussieblake said:
Somewhere I have read that a disassembled GC can fit in a minivan. I am buying a GC that is about 200 miles away and my vehicle options are a minivan (the wife's) or my extended cab full size pick up. I would have it moved by a table mechanic but the room it will reside in is not ready yet and it will be a few months before it is ready.

If it will fit in a minivan, how should the slates be positioned? Vertical is best but that may be difficult, is horizontal an option?

The concern about using the pick up is the finish on the skirts, they are like new now and do not want to damage them.

Any help or ideas is greatly appreciated.:smile:


aussieblake
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I would use the PU. more room. Laying the slate flat on cardboard or blankets is best. You just don't want to scratch them. you can put the frame on top of the slate after covering them and removing the legs and center support. I wrap the skirts,rails, center support and legs in blankets too. I'd put the frame in right side up so the leveling bolts arn't exposed. Good luck
 
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I just moved a used GC-IV home recently and stored it in our garage (until, like you, our room was ready).

Moved it in four parts. The frame, the skirts & pockets (left assembled), the 4 feet and arch (left assembled), and the 3 separate slates.

The frame went on our (open flat) trailer first and was lashed down with cam straps. Next the skirts and pockets and pocket castings (still assembled in one piece) went on top of the frame (with rugs/blankets/camping ground insulite for padding in between).

The 3 slates (on top of each other), the assembled feet and arch, and all other stuff went in the back of a regular 8' bed pickup truck (note the 3 slates are too large - 107"x57" - to all fit flat in one layer in the back of an 8' truck). So, you'll have to stack the slates unless you rent a truck and strap them to the walls (and I don't know if that's a good idea since I would think that the bottom edge of the slate would get beat up).

I suggest you take your truck and rent a trailer ($20/day). Or, rent an enclosed truck ($20/day + $.90/mile + insurance).

P.S.: Make sure you either remove the slate levelers from the frame or screw them in tight and tape over them (so they don't vibrate loose and get lost).

P.P.S.: Before sliding one slate on top of another, make sure that the slate your sliding on top has all of the staples (used to hold the cloth on) removed from the bottom of the wood.
 
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Take some moving blankets to protect the rails and aprons. Take some tools if you have to take the mini van to take the frame apart in case it
is together and will not fit. Like every one said, slates on first,stacked. then pack from there.
 
Yes, sadly I moved a gold crown in a mini van. Not a fun experience. You have to break EVERYTHING down and think it out properly just to get it to fit. Then, driving with all that weight is rough. A mini van isnt meant to handle loads like that.

The mini van was my last resort. I wouldn't recommend it, but worst case, it works.
 
Use the truck if you can, take multiple trip if necessary. As other have said, use the mini van as a last resort. Picking up that slate and moving it out of the van is not going to be fun, IMHO. I did the same thing, moves a GC3 in pieces via a truck before the room was ready. Stored the pieces and then prepped the room. You could use a mechanic to do that and tell him to just move it now with an intended assembly later. All you're doing it just paying him in two separate services: 1) Moving, 2) Assembly.
 
I have an 18 ft trailer, it is not enclosed. My biggest concern with using the pick up is the aprons. The table has been in a home its whole live so it is pristine, i would like to keep it that way. The seller it going to talk to his table mechanic to see about delivery with out set up, hopefully it is reasonable. Of course the older I get the more valuable my time is to me.

aussieblake
 
Truck, trailer, lots of moving blankets

aussieblake said:
I have an 18 ft trailer, it is not enclosed. My biggest concern with using the pick up is the aprons. The table has been in a home its whole live so it is pristine, i would like to keep it that way. The seller it going to talk to his table mechanic to see about delivery with out set up, hopefully it is reasonable. Of course the older I get the more valuable my time is to me.

aussieblake
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Typically you can rent the blankets even if you don't rent anything else. If the mechanic won't move it at a price you can afford I would take the truck, trailer, and lots of moving blankets. I'd score a sheet or two of the foam board insulation too to go under and between slates if it is readily available to you. If you can score some carpet padding instead of the foam reasonably that will work too. Do use the foam, plywood, or something to insure no pressure points underneath the slates. Pack everything like it is going across the country and take your time with the drive like you have a load of raw eggs behind you. Better safe than sorry.

Speaking of better safe than sorry, that is one consideration. You may take better care of the table than the mechanic would. Ask Terry Ardeno about a kitchen sink delivery, at least they said it was a kitchen sink! :grin: :grin: :grin:

Hu
 
My GV IV was delivered in a mini van Friday. It was just across town, but it fit.
 
What a bunch of BS from some (not all) of the posts. Have to wonder if anyone actually tries to be helpful. I have moved my GC III several times in a mini van. Twice it has traveled over 600 miles in six cylinder Dodge Caravan. I also have an 18 foot lowboy and a 3/4 ton Chevy 350 diesel truck -- but that is overkill and not covered. The van is just the trick for a pool table.

A mini-van is a ½ ton truck and rated to carry 1,000 lbs with the seats in it. it can easily carry a pool table when all of the back seats are removed. In fact I have had it half full of 4 X 8 sheets of wall board (probably a ton of weight) and had the springs sitting pretty low but no trouble hauling. The kids drive around in 1/4 ton truck that looks spiffy but can't haul worth a darn compared to a 1/2 ton van.

Use mover’s blankets and wrap each piece of slate. Lay the slates flat, on top of each other.

Disassemble the other parts as needed to fit in the van. It disassembles the same way it comes from the factory. I used additional blankets to keep the finish from being marked up.

Move as needed.

With two or three people it takes less than two hours to disassemble and store the table in the van if the table was in a basement with easy access. It takes less than an hour to get it out of the van and about four hours to re-assemble. Give your self all day Saturday, two or three guys and you should get if done in time to play a few games and have a few beers.

The first time I installed the cloth, based on the directions in a manual it took me about three hours. (If you have to cover the rails it takes another couple of hours but you should not need to do that) None of this is rocket science. It only requires common sense and a few tools. Brunswick very nicely marks all of the parts for you with letters and roman numerals so it is not difficult to id parts. You will need a 1/2 socket set with about about a one foot extension for a few bolts. If it has gully pockets you will need an allen wrench. a good stapler is needed to reinstall the cloth. Other than that your usual tools will do.

I used a few levels to check for level. A sheet of glass with pool ball rolled on the glass told me if it was true along with all of the other ways I could think of. No matter what you do you are going to have to re-level it in a week or so as it will settle over time. I use a ten ton hydraulic jack (over kill) on 3/4" boards on either side of a cinder block (holes up) to jack the table and spin the feet on the legs as needed. It takes about 30 minutes to level a table the first time.

If you can install a swing set in the back yard for your kids you should be able to install a pool table.

It takes two 180 pound men to move each piece of slate as they weigh about 250 lbs each and are best carried (up stairs etc) in a vertical manner.

When placing in the van it is easier if a third person is in the van and guides the slate in without having to drag it.

Put the blanket in the van first. Place the slate on it. Wrap the remainer of the blanket on top of the slate. Place another blanket on the first piece of slate and then the next piece of slate, etc. I stack them evenly and towards the center of the van to distribute the weight evenly.

When placing the rest of the parts in the van start with the biggest most awkard pieces first and wrap with blankets to protect the finish. I did not find it necessary to tie anything down as most parts fit "tight enough" if stacked with care. A few cardboard boxes with extra parts and tools were used as wedges as needed.

When I was working at my profession I made about $150.00 per hour and nobody was going to move my pool table but me. Somethings are too important to leave to other people.
 
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different vehicles and damage

JoeW said:
What a bunch of BS. . . .
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Joe,

"minivan" is a pretty generic term. Some have decent power and carrying capacity and even tow capacity. My first thought was to tow the trailer with the minivan. However some minivans barely have the power to pull themselves, empty! Too many unknowns to recommend the minivan but the real reason is in the next paragraph.

I have extensive experience hauling a wide variety of items in everything from the old mini pick-ups, minivans, pick-ups, vans, one tons, two tons, ten tons, on up to 40 foot flat trailers and 52 foot moving vans. The OP seems very concerned about damaging a nice table. The one thing consistent from a small car to a 52' moving van is that the easiest thing to safely load and unload something from is a flat bed truck or trailer. Next is an open pick-up, and each thing as you go down in maneuvering room makes it more difficult to load and unload items without damaging the cargo or yourself. Easy to clip a finger off with those slates, a local table mechanic did it recently. It is almost impossible to move the table components in and out of the minivan while protecting the components and using proper body mechanics too.

The first goal is to move the table with maximum safety to it and the people doing the moving. Fitting it snuggly into the minivan isn't the best way to do that in my opinion even if the van is technically adequate to move it. Had he said that it was a ratty old table that someone had given him I would have possibly said to be careful that nobody was hurt and give the minivan a try if the pro wouldn't move it at a price he could afford. If he wants the table to look just like it does now when he has it set up at his house the best advice is to baby it all the way. I'll stand by my "BS".

Hu
 
I thought yours was one of the more useful posts Hu. Not all of them were BS. I tried to be careful and specify a Dodge Caravan (or similar). I agree you can get hurt but I am assuming a normal male who has done a few things in life if he is contemplating moving a pool table. But you are right -- you never know. Perhaps your caution is warrented. No offense intended.
 
I'm thinking about buying a GC III that's about 90 miles from me.
I would try to use my buddies Ford Explorer. To me there actually seems to be a lot of room when all the back seats are folded down.
Would this be big enough to transport a table? Or, since it is only 90 miles, would I be better off paying someone?
 
I once move an original gold crown in the back of a station wagon. It was some trip the headlights were shining in the trees on the way home:)

I would take the truck and the minivan that way you can put stuff where you think it will ride best. Take lots of blankets and take your time.

Good luck.

Stan
 
sly_shooter said:
I'm thinking about buying a GC III that's about 90 miles from me.
I would try to use my buddies Ford Explorer. To me there actually seems to be a lot of room when all the back seats are folded down.
Would this be big enough to transport a table? Or, since it is only 90 miles, would I be better off paying someone?
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Rent a One Way trailer (about $25-35) and hook it to the back of the Explorer. A 5x10 Open trailer should be fine. You CANNOT fit the frame in the Explorer! Unless you tear it down and there still isn't room inside for the entire table. It's just to small a space. A Ford Expedition might just be large enough for a load like this. Barely! Be VERY careful towing a trailer, especially on a highway. Maintain speeds of 55 or under. You will be towing about 3,000 pounds (trailer plus table). One last thing, DO NOT attempt to load the frame on top of the Explorer. That's being penny wise and pound foolish.

I must have moved well over 200 tables in my life. For a one table move, I prefer a full size pick up truck with a long bed. I put the slate in first, all the way up against the cab. Lay a blanket or pad down first. Then I put all the other pieces in, with the frame going last. It usually must lay at an angle, with one side over the side rail of the truck. If you can close the tail gate of the truck, great. If not you must tie the frame in place WELL! Use heavy rope for this or large tie down straps will work also. I've even used the large rubber bungee cords that truck drivers carry for loads. You can buy them at Pep Boys.

I don't like vans, just because they are enclosed and not as user friendly to get things in and out of. In case of bad weather, I postpone the move. "Minivan" suggests to me a small van. I don't like this vehicle for moving a full size pool table. More power to you if you can do it. I won't!
 
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jay helfert said:
Rent a One Way trailer (about $25-35) and hook it to the back of the Explorer. A 5x10 Open trailer should be fine. You CANNOT fit the frame in the Explorer! Unless you tear it down and there still isn't room inside for the entire table. It's just to small a space. A Ford Expedition might just be large enough for a load like this. Barely! Be VERY careful towing a trailer, especially on a highway. Maintain speeds of 55 or under. You will be towing about 3,000 pounds (trailer plus table). One last thing, DO NOT attempt to load the frame on top of the Explorer. That's being penny wise and pound foolish.

I must have moved well over 200 tables in my life. For a one table move, I prefer a full size pick up truck with a long bed. I put the slate in first, all the way up against the cab. Lay a blanket or pad down first. Then I put all the other pieces in, with the frame going last. It usually must lay at an angle, with one side over the side rail of the truck. If you can close the tail gate of the truck, great. If not you must tie the frame in place WELL! Use heavy rope for this or large tie down straps will work also. I've even used the large rubber bungee cords that truck drivers carry for loads. You can buy them at Pep Boys.

I don't like vans, just because they are enclosed and not as user friendly to get things in and out of. In case of bad weather, I postpone the move. "Minivan" suggests to me a small van. I don't like this vehicle for moving a full size pool table. More power to you if you can do it. I won't!
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My personal vehicle that I have used successfully to move a couple of dozen tables (one or two at a time) is a 1970 GMC three quarter ton PU. It is fully reconditioned with a high performance 350 motor (no smog, exhaust headers, solid lifters, hi-rise manifold, Carter four barrel carb, the works!). It has a beefed up suspension, with large meaty wheels and tires. I have carried single tables with ease, and attached a trailer and carried two tables at a time from Nevada to California. Never a problem, except it gets 10 mpg on high octane fuel. 30 gallons from Vegas to L.A.!
 
I can carry several 10' X 2 X 12s in a Dodge Caravan with no trouble. They have to lay between the two front seats on the floor. So two long pool table rails easily fit in the enclosed van if two guys carry them in.

I agree with Jay that an open floor would be easier to move around in. For me the van is sitting ouside and everything lies flat as needed. With a couple of guys it is no big deal to bend and shuffle as needed. Over long distances here on the hilly east coast where we live, we never know when it is going to rain and I like the comfort of the van. I live in Ohio about 20 minutes from West by God Virginia. That says soemthing all by itself. My buddy was fixing his car on the side of the road with some baling wire and his son said, "You can't do that Dad." My buddy says, "Son, we live close enough to West Virginia that we can do just about any damn thing we need to do." Course I only live 30 miles from Pittsburgh where they don't do that!

The low boy has springs on it but they were designed to support my skid steer and I did not trust the ride, thought one good bounce might crack the slate. I suppose I could have cushioned the slate with a couple of sets of blankets but I saw no real need with a readily available van. I haul around about 10 ton with the low boy and skid steer attached so I would think that I could haul four or five tables in my truck, which is similar to Jay's. Might have a space problem but a 350 diesel can (and does) haul a heck of a lot of weight up and down these hills. BTW, I had my truck set up for hauling a fifth wheel over long distances and it too gets about 20 MPG. Might want to check into that Jay.

And 21 mpg is an advantage when I am hauling in the van down to Maryland for the kids.

I guess it all comes down to what is available and what you feel comfortable using.

As to carrying it in a car, I guess you would have to break down the long rails and that is really no big deal because there are only a few bolts that keep them together. You would still have a couple of long boards but they would not be as fragile. I think it might be difficult to get the slate in the car depending upon what you use. It is kinda like picking up and moving a refridgerator by hand. Heavy and you have to be careful. I don't think I would want to try it if a van were avaialble. If the slates are not centered that front end is sure gonna hunt and you will get to see all of the bird's nests in the area.
 
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