Need Help, How to move a gun safe???

[KBennett]

I think I have found a deal on a used Heritage gun safe. It holds 27 guns so it looks like I have some buying to do The lady bought it for her husband 4 years ago and he has never put a gun in it! She said she paid $1700 for it and is asking $900.



Seems like a good deal but I need to know what it takes to move. I don't have the model number yet but looking on the Heritage site it should be around 1200 lbs. Should I even attempt moving it myself? I won't be going up or down any stairs at my place or hers. Any suggestions?

 

[Glen]

I moved mine with a good hand truck and half a dozen friends, strong friends.

 

[LRoy]

Mine was a lot lighter - somewhere between 600 and 700 lbs. The dealer took care of getting in the back of my pickup. My brother-in-law and I had no problems getting it out of the back and into my walk-in basement.



Once in the basement (and b-i-l left) I cut up an old broom handle into 3 or 4 sections and used them as rollers to move the safe about 30 feet across the basement (bare concrete floor at that time) to it's final spot. Even by myself that wasn't a problem.



Your safe is lot heavier - and I assume you need to get it up and into the truck - not just down and out. Not impossible - but I'd take 2 or 3 strong 2x12's, a come-along and a handful of heavy duty ratchet straps.



No stairs? If you have some friends in good shape I'd probably give it try. Be carefull - 1200lbs could kill someone if it goes the wrong way.

 

[BarryG]

A few good men, an appliance dolly and rent a truck (uhaul, ryder etc) with a lift gate for a few hours. 1200lbs is a lot of weight to try and manhandle.

 

[SRadke]

I made a steel frame with casters to set it on and roll it around but from the truck to the house was a loader tractor and a strap. These things are heavy and awkward. Also works well to roll things of this nature on pipes. When one pipe rolls out the back, put it back under the front.



-Scott

 

[krs]

It'll be a lot easier to use a trailer than try to get it in and out of the bed of the truck.



A cherrypicker could pick it up - look to see if there's a threaded hole in the top of it that would take an eyebolt. Mine has one that I think the first owner put in.



It's not just heavy. It's hard to get a good grip on it. Don't take risks with it because it could squish someone like a bug.



Rollers of either wood or pipe will work good once you get it to it's final room. You just pick up the back one and move it to the front as you cruise along.

 

[tpuig]

My safe is just over 1200 lbs. Although movers did it the last time, intially I accepted and installed it at home.

Used two low flat furniture dollies and a hefty buddy. We only had a small step to overcome, so it wasn't bad. However, I'd suggest renting a truck with a liftgate (if you don't know anybody) and get some very strong straps to secure the load. One emergency stop can ruin your whole day.

The dollies are usually available to rent for a couple bucks, or are available through Grainger, Harbor Freight, etc.

Sounds like you'll be saving enough on the safe to even warrant the cost of a mover, which might only run $100 or so. Make a couple calls, might be cheaper than you think. Good luck and be safe.

TP

 

[RKepler]

I have moved both of my safes a few times.

I wrap them in plastic that's used for wrapping pallets. It keeps the safe from getting scratched when/if it contacts a wall or doorway.

Tell your buddies/helpers to watch their fingers, if it starts to fall get out of the way and don't start drinking until it's where you want it!

 

[KBennett]

Keep the suggestions coming!

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the input and any more ideas are welcome.



RKepler welcome to the TDR!



I am thinking of borrowing my friends car trailer. It is low and can be tilted. I will check with my local rental place for the dollies and hand cart. I am only worried about moving it at her end because I have not seen it up close, only in pictures. It is located an hour away. She said it is just one step out the door.

At my place I am going to put it in the family room right off the garage. I will only have to cross a door threshold.



EDIT: When I said move it by myself what I meant is should I hire somebody or get some of my buddies. I hope I didn't cause any confusion.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I've watched a guy move heavy industral machinery by himself, using pipes and metal bars to roll under the machinery. He even loaded them onto the lowboy trailer himself. All it takes is some patience, smarts and some good, but simple tools to get the job done.





Doc

 

[justinp20012500]

I would use a "low to the ground" trailer to move it. (The same thing I hauled my Cummins home in!!!)

 

[crobertson1]

What about those little saucer thingies that used to be advertised on TV? You know, you put em under the legs of a chest of drawers or couch or whatever you need moved and you just slide it around where you want to go. Or, get 4 Ram Matchbox cars (trucks) and stick them under the safe and take it where you want to go. Just make sure the Rams have little Cummins engines in em. Also, they would be better if they're 2nd gens! Let me know if you need any more ideas. This is meant to be humorous BTW.

Craig

 

[RogerReid]

i used to move up to 9000lb safes and vault doors for securty company with a flatbed (tow truck). they did some amazing jobs. you could try some locall towing company`s ? just watch you toes and fingers using pipe rollers to move heavy loads . it`s easy just do it bare handed no gloves the rollers could grab the end of gloveand pull your fingers and hand under!!! trust me on this one.

 

[The patriot]

I cant add anything to what's been said already except I had the dealer put it in the back of my truck ON CARDBOARD, from there I unloaded it pretty much myself into my garage.

Had my Dad be my eyes for me, and I just got my back up against the front of the PU bed, then pushed it out myself.

I didnt want to crash it, so he was just telling me whan it was about 50%/50% on/off the tailgate. From there I guess you could just about consider it a "controlled crash" :-laf :-laf



My brother and dad helped with this part.

I got two 2X12's to get it out the back of my garage onto the deck, then in the sliding door, down the hallway etc, when on a U-haul pushcart.

At the end of the hallway it was dowel time. As long as youre not on carpet, you should be OK. I have hardwood floors.



Mine weighs 900 lbs.



Measure all your openings first.

Eric

 

[NPloysa]

Kirk,



Let me know if you need any help, if it is on a weekday night. That's when I am in town working. Let me know and I will give you a hand!



Nick

 

[wyosteve]

Two thoughts to add to what has been said. Check to see if the door is removable. On mine, when you swing the door all the way open, it lifts off the hinge pins. If you can remove it, take it off. It weighs a bunch, but will ease the load on the rest of the safe. Second, DO NOT use the tailgate as a pivot or fulcrum to get the safe into the truck if you go that route. The Dodge tailgates are not stout enough to hold up and you may very well end up with a U shaped tailgate or worse a safe dropped onto your bumper or the ground. The voice of experience here (fortunately a friend's truck-not mine).

 

[Mike Ellis]

The guys that delivered mine had a truck similar to those used to deliver furniture, had a hydraulic lift at the back. They had a very heavy duty furniture dolly with 4 wheels on it so it could not tilt back more than about 20 degrees before the back wheels touched the ground. Once it was tilted back, it sat very firmly and they just muscled the dolly along. I imagine this sort of dolly can be rented.



My house has a large step up at the threshold, these guys had a few strips of regular old 1/2" plywood they had cut about 2 foot wide, they laid it across the threshold and rolled the dolly up and over no muss no fuss. I had no idea plywood could suppor that kind of weight.

 

[BRobertson]

Golf balls work great!!

I'm not a golfer so I had to buy a dozen or so!!

Bob

 

[crobertson1]

One more thing: Take the 27 guns out first. That'll lighten it up quite a bit! Hehehe.

 

[smartineau]

When I moved my 1500 pound safe around to put in the new flooring, I used the pipe method. This is also the way that it was delivered. On my safe there is a threaded hole in the top center about 5/8" I have seen safes moved for Sportman shows buy putting in an eye hook and using something similar to an engine hoist. It could be worth looking into. If You do the eye hook make sure you get a cast/welded one that is rated for at least 1,200 pounds.



Hopefully I will find a new house soon, I have a few steps to go down and have already decided to fork out $200 to pay the local safe guys to move it for me. $200 is cheap compared to getting hurt.



steve