Packing models for a cross-country move - an idea

[markbt73]

So now that we've decided to move, I need to figure out how to pack up a room full of RC (and static model) stuff that has been in the same room for 12 years, and safely ship it across the country. Yes, the smart move would be to sell a bunch of things before moving, but I just don't want to.

The unfinished/project stuff actually isn't hard; most of it is in plastic tote bins already, and I figure I can just tape those shut and call it good. And the couple of NIB RC models and all the NIB static kits can just get boxed up. No worries there. It's the shelves and shelves of completed cars that worry me; they take up a ton of space, and if I try to cram several of them in a box, I'll end up with flattened tires and broken shock towers. Not ideal.

So here's what I'm thinking: Why not get more tote bins, and just sort of "re-kit" them? Disassemble as much as is necessary to make them fit the bins, put all the wheels and tires together by themselves so they don't get squashed, all the bodies in another to prevent damage to them, and pack up the chassis in small boxes in pieces, or at least components? It would be kind of like having a whole bunch of new cars to assemble after the move, at my leisure.

Crazy? Or genius?

[OnTheTrail]

How long will they be in the totes?   If not more than a few weeks, I'd just remove the wheels/tires, wrap the car on the chassis with newspaper and place in individual totes.   Set the tires on top of the newspaper and put the lid on.  Go see your local mom and pop appliance dealer and get a few free dishwasher boxes and load as many totes that can fit in there.   A DW box isn't much more than 26" wide so they can be manhandled and hand trucked through most doorways.  

 

Most (but not all) Tamiya models should fit into these:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-20-Qt-Clear-Plastic-Storage-Box-with-White-Lid/8282895?athbdg=L1600&from=/search

 

[alvinlwh]

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[Dakratfink]

When I moved I took wheels off, set the wheels on side with chassis on top of them and filled the rest of the box with packing paper.

 

[67CamaroSS]

When I moved a bunch of stuff into storage I bought a bunch of cardboard boxes. I think the measurement was about 20x12x8 or close to that.  Just find the most common size and they are cheap, less than 2 dollars a box.

I collect mostly on-road touring size and if you just remove the tires, you can usually store 2 cars, with the body on, on their side with the bottom of the chassis touching. I wrap the cars in a plastic bag to protect them.  You can add packing material if you want, but it’s not necessary.

Then I just label the boxes and you can stack them nice and neat. I also numbered the boxes and made a spreadsheet so I know where everything is. It’s very easy to locate them when I need them.

[TurnipJF]

When I packed my cars for an international move, I took the wheels off, either removed or folded down the body posts, and wrapped the chassis in bubble wrap. After a couple of turns of bubble wrap around the chassis tub, I added the wheels on top and added a few more turns of bubble wrap. This left me with a nice squishy lump that was of sufficient bulk to occupy the interior of the body shell without giving it space to be crushed by external force. A few more turns of bubble wrap around the body itself and the model was good to be packed with its fellows in a large hardshelled suitcase. This survived the vagaries of international air travel without issue, and the models sustained no damage.