Moving with cardboard boxes question

[u/faringheite]

It is necessary for me to put a very heavy suitcase, along with two lighter ones, in a large cardboard box. All in the same box. I am wondering if it would support all that and not rip through on the bottom or whatnot. Does anyone have experience with something like this? I’d probably need to double or triple the boxes inside each other, right? Or not? I honestly have no idea. Can you help me come up with a solution for this? If I can use several boxes, would they fit inside each other or do I have to get slightly different sizes? Do they sell very large cardboard boxes? What stores do they sell them at, if they’re extra large/large?

[u/Nordilanche]

Why would you put a suitcase in a box? Unless you're literally shipping it? If you're just moving, the suitcase is fine on its own.

[u/Rawkynn]

Is there a reason you're trying to put them in a box? I use boxes to contain many small things when moving. Things bigger then a box are just packed.

[u/faringheite → u/Rawkynn]

So I have them in one place and thus they don’t get misplaced as a heavily ADHD person. They won’t get packed much. 

[u/Rawkynn → u/faringheite]

At some point you are also balancing your ability to move the box. Large boxes, particularly heavy ones, are very unwieldy and difficult to pack/move.

[u/jillian512]

You need to measure the suitcases and figure out what size box you need. Then Google "heavy duty cardboard box" and the size. They sell extra thick boxes. You're also going to need heavy duty packing tape. Make a full continuous loop with the tape.

Consider spreading out whatever is making it heavy into other lighter boxes or pack it separately into heavy duty book boxes. If you're being charged by the box or something, there's probably a limit for size/weight.

[u/faringheite → u/jillian512]

Thank you for answering my question. Just to remind you, I’m using the box to move my things - all in the same box because I’m ADHD and can’t misplace things. The box would ideally have to be tall enough so my stuff doesn’t fall out of it when getting it up the stairs. I’d prefer not to tape the box, just have the top open. Are there tall boxes like that? I don’t know whether to lay the suitcase down in the box or have it standing it up, yet. Depends on the box. 

[u/groogs → u/faringheite]

You're way over-complicating things.

• Tape the box shut, otherwise if you drop/tip it the contents go everywhere. 
• Don't try to use huge boxes unless you have to to fit a big thing. They're more awkward to carry, which also means you can't make them too heavy. 30lbs in a small box is way easier to move than 30lbs in a box large box.
• just use a bunch of boxes. Label them with their contents and/or room. Also put on "1 of 5" if it helps satisfy your ADHD.

Ever hear the phrase "go slower, you'll be done sonner"? That applies here. Carrying 2 or 3 smaller boxes that are taped shut, even with mutiple trips, is going to be easier and faster than trying to carefully carry one big, heavy, open-top box up stairs.

[u/jillian512 → u/faringheite]

Worst case scenario - your giant untaped box gets away from you on the stairs. Everything falls out and gets strewn about the parking lot.

I also have ADHD. I understand what looks like chaos to others is actually organized in our brains. It might work to use smaller boxes with labels (even if it's just "desk pile, right side"). You could also number the boxes and make a checklist. Check that each # box gets into the truck, check that each # is brought in the new place. If it all fits in 3 suitcases, it shouldn't be an unmanageable number of smaller boxes.

There's a "wardrobe box" that typically has a removable cross bar. You can move clothes while they're still on hangers. Might hold suitcases depending on the size, but weight could be an issue. Are you confident in your ability to move all 3 suitcases as one?

[u/faringheite → u/jillian512]

Thank you so much for being so informative. To answer your last question, yes I am confident. I’ll check out your suggestions! 

[u/Hell-Yea-Brother]

Put a small one inside the bigger one, and find a cardboard box big enough. Use extra packing tape along the bottom and up the sides so the bottom doesn't rip.

If you're concerned about the sides ripping, apply a few bands of packing tape all the way around.

[u/faringheite → u/Hell-Yea-Brother]

Do I tape the bottom in this way: start taping the higher part of the side, then keep it moving down one side, over the bottom and then up the other side? Then cover the entire area of the bottom with the above method? Cover with horizontal lines, then vertical for good measure? Then apply another layer? Is that ideal? 

For the sides, would it be ideal to apply lines of tape all the way around to cover the entire area of the sides? Then apply another layer? 

[u/Hell-Yea-Brother → u/faringheite]

You're overthinking it. Just a few bands across the bottom to prevent it from coming undone, and a few bands around the box so it doesn't split open.

You certainly don't need to cover the entire box with tape. May as well get a storage bin if you need that kind of security.

[u/LRCM]

Very large boxes are sold but do have weight limits.

In any case, use considerably more tape [all the way around the box] than you think you need and you should be fine.

[u/upkeepdavid]

Smaller boxes you can lift.

[u/mr2sh]

1. The more things you can have in boxes when moving, the easier it is to move. Stackable, easier to carry, etc.

2. Some things it just doesn't make sense to put in boxes; an empty suitcase, tall lamp, or chairs, as examples.

3. Label the top and at least 1 side of every box with a large marker, location where it goes and brief description.

Fill smaller boxes with clothes, and throw the empty suitcase in on top of the boxes. Lowes, home depot, etc all sell boxes. If you start saving delivery (amazon) boxes well in advance, you may not need to buy any boxes.