Or you could try this…
Your Focus is probably similar to my Matrix. You won’t have a problem towing a 500 lbs piano.
My only concern would be how gentle the ride would be. A piano is pretty fragile. A typical u-haul trailer isn’t usually all that good.
My tailer hitch cost $60 (CAN) with the eletronic install and parts costing another $40. I didn’t get the brake system installed since my (and probably your) all wheel disc brakes should be enough unless your luggage is extensive (Matrix max towing is 1500 lbs).
I’d suggest you go to your local u-haul and check the prices. U-haul installed my hitch so they can either price out a hitch + trailer set up or a truck. You can decide then.
And don’t forget to pick up a half dozen ratchetting 1 tonne straps for securing the piano.
We have a ford Focus.
I spoke to Mr. Know It All, ( Mr. Ujest) and he advised me to tell you that you should rent a UHaul or find a friend with a Pick up/ SUV vehicle you could borrow.
A focus is just not meant to haul anything except a bike rack. And really, when would you use a trailer hitch again. If you lived in Michigan, I would gladly offer the use of my truck/trailer/tie down thingies in exchange for gas ( HA! You’d go broke) but you don’t, so the point is mute.
A piano mover company is an excellent idea. Maybe you and your dad could split the cost, thus making the wear and tear on your car and yourself zero.
I absolutely, 100% suggest that you rent a truck that is built for it. A trailer hitch on a Focus? Come on. This sounds exactly like one of my father-in-law’s plans that he tries to force on me all the time. I just laugh and tell my wife to get him to leave me alone because it is not happening. Plus it may not be truly safe with your family in the car and you owe it to them not to take the risk.
Anyway that made a movie once about this very topic and you must not have seen it. It also took place on a California/Arizona ride. It was called “National Lampoons Piano Moving Vacation” and it did not work out all that well. Be warned.
EFF-ING PAGE FAULTS!!!
:: ahem ::
ok, let me try reposting that little screed again.
if you’re concerned about your fiance driving your car back home (for insurance coverage), the simplest solution is to rent a one-way truck AND a car-towbar FOR the truck. you won’t need to have a whole lot of stuff permanently installed on your car (maybe an electrical pigtail-connection or such, so the truck turn signals and brakelights are mirrored by the car; although the car-tow setup might cover that itself).
that way, everybody rides in the truck, including the piano, and the car gets towed behind.
the biggest drawback is that you’ll need to drive a good deal differently that you probably do now. start slowing for stops a whole lot sooner than usual, go slower around curves and turns, don’t cut turns and curves too sharply. slow and easy is the gameplan (and the piano will probably thank you too).
(ask me about hauling live cargo. nothing like the joy of hauling a horse trailer with occupants who are expressing displeasure with your driving style.) :rolleyes:
You guys have been super helpful! I think I’m gonna push for renting a one-way truck and hitching the car to the back of it. I do have a quote request out to a freight shipper to see if that would be financially possible.
Thank you for all of your suggestions, I really appreciate it!
One more vote for the U haul, but for a different reason.
With a trailer what will you do if it rains? We have already had rain in So Cal this year, and another weather system is arriving now. Water and heirloom pianos do not mix.
No matter how well you wrap it in a tarp, Mr. Murphy will find a way to get water on the piano.
Rent the truck, it is a better idea all around. or hire some pros.
Let us know what you do. I need closure on this piano moving.