Anybody ever move through Canada?

ronjhall · Nov 9, 2011

slowzuki said:
My experience with the 407 and out of province plates is that I never get a bill. We always drive on it. The 401 isn't bad at night, I was just though a week ago. Its only the hour in the middle during the day thats really bad. We've towed trailers though all the time without incident. Just don't try in the morning or evening!

407ETR has a agreement with MI. They do bill MI residents for use of their road.

forgeblast · Nov 9, 2011

When we were doing a move over 500 miles, I used abf u-pack. It was cheaper then renting a truck and doing the move myself. Then dropped off a trailer you fill it they put in a bulkhead and fill the rest with other stuff and then drop off the trailer and you get your stuff off. over all it was the easiest part of the move.

300UGUY · Nov 9, 2011

nybirdman said:
**** it wasn't that long ago we used to run across the border by car or boat to get Chinese take-out or real Canadian beer.Things sure have changed since 911.I worked in Michigan(late 1970's) and would run the 401 from northern NY every two weeks;absolultely no problems at the borders..now I never go to Canada even tho I can see it from my front door.

I used to go over to Windsor a lot. Really liked the beer, and sometimes we went to the Windsor Ballet with my buds. We used to go to Grand Bend camping in the summer. I even have some shirtail relations in Canada. But since 911, only been there once.

QRTRHRS · Nov 9, 2011

forgeblast said:
When we were doing a move over 500 miles, I used abf u-pack. It was cheaper then renting a truck and doing the move myself. Then dropped off a trailer you fill it they put in a bulkhead and fill the rest with other stuff and then drop off the trailer and you get your stuff off. over all it was the easiest part of the move.

ABF U-Pack does not necessarily go to any address. You may have to have your goods dropped at one of their terminals and make other arrangments to get them to your final destination. Other than that, very good service and rates.

logdog · Nov 9, 2011

If we go do it we would be going from Port Huron, MI to the Maine/Quebec border. I think I may just have to make a trip to the customs office and see what they have to say.

logdog · Nov 9, 2011

Of course, as was pointed out I should figure out how much the gas is going to cost. The truck and trailer only get about 12 MPG

Barry 1 · Nov 10, 2011

Why don't you just sell the furnature and buy some new? Is this stuff worth the trip?

forgeblast · Nov 10, 2011

With abf they came to our apartment in raleigh, and then dropped the trailer off in Pa at our house when we moved. We didnt have to go to a terminal. That was a few years ago, so things might have changed.

IndyIan · Nov 10, 2011

I drove a U-haul trailer full of my sisters junk from Peterborough, Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba going through the U.S., and them back the same way loaded with some of my Grandparents furniture in 2004. No problems at any of the crossings although I think we asked for seal on the trailer when we entered the US. I can't remember now... Maybe we just talked about it:laughing:

QRTRHRS · Nov 10, 2011

forgeblast said:
With abf they came to our apartment in raleigh, and then dropped the trailer off in Pa at our house when we moved. We didnt have to go to a terminal. That was a few years ago, so things might have changed.

The way it worked three plus years ago, they dropped the trailer(s) at point A for three days then at point B for three adys. At that time they would store the trailer(s) in one of their yards as needed on a monthly basis. I think it was 395/month which is not bad.

The situation was that I had to close on the house we were selling then buy the next one so I had already planned on a month's storage fee. We were down to the wire and I was dickering back and forth on a couple of properties. The place we settled on is a bit off the "beaten path" so to speak. It happened to be outside of ABF's service area.

This situation never occurred to me and I found out about it at the last minute. Anyway, I dealt with it. I went ahead and used ABF then rented a Penske truck and shuttled my "stuff" from the terminal to my house.

Oh', I had three pup trailers so it took me like seven trips plus one wasted trip. With most LTL's like ABF, only the largest terminals are manned 24/7. The smaller ones lock up but the line haul drivers have keys.

I had made arrangements for a trailer to be left outside of the gate on a Saturday which it was. Then, a line haul driver rolled in, saw the trailer, figured someone had screwed up and put it inside the fence. So, I show up, no one around, don't know when the next line hauler will roll in so I bagged it and went home empty.

This is not a diss on ABF. They provide a very reasonable alternative for the DIY person. Quite a bit less than say PODS.