A gun safe’s purpose is to secure your firearms, and most people who own firearms often have dedicated gun safes. Now, gun safes are huge and can weigh up to 2000 pounds. These safes, unlike other portable gun safes, are for permanent installation.
Key Takeaways:
- Hiring a professional mover is the best, fastest, and risk-free choice
- Empty your safe before you move it
- Proper equipment, such as dollies, will help in moving a 2000-pound safe
- A truck with a powered loading ramp makes the job much simpler when loading the safe
At some point, you may find it necessary to move your safe. You could be relocating to a different house, or you want to hide the gun safe to another area inside your current home. Now, you may wonder how to move a 2000 pound safe? In this article, let’s look at the safest methods you can use to move a heavy gun safe.
How To Move A 2000 Pound Safe
It's not easy to relocate a gun safe, whether within or outside your home. To begin, you’ll need a solid strategy that you can rely on to get the job done. So, plan the activity out step-by-step before beginning. Now, there are two ways to move and keep a bulky gun safe from tipping and dislodging :
- Hire a pro
- All by yourself
Hire a Pro
Hiring a professional safe mover is the best, fastest, and risk-free choice.
They’re well-versed in the art of transporting heavy safes. Hiring professional movers will help reduce the likelihood of damage to your belongings during transport.
Getting in touch with a seasoned mover is simple. To find local safe moving companies, all you need to do is a quick Google search.
Before you hire professional movers to transport your gun safe, here are some safety tips:
- Have all the bullets in your gun safe removed and put in a temporary gun safe storage
- Consult an expert on insurance and related policies before moving the safe
- Make sure nothing illegal is in the gun safe, and let the professional gun safe mover know how much the safe weighs
If you cannot afford to hire professional safe movers, the following guidelines can help you have a successful safe moving project. If you stick to these guidelines, you’ll reduce potential risks and complete the task.
All by Yourself
Preparation is critical for a work of this nature. Let's divide the process into two stages:
- Preparation
- Moving
1. Preparation
Moving a large safe without help is dangerous, so you'll need to prepare.
Set the Moving Plans
Even if you're only going to be relocating the safe within your apartment, or home, it's still a good idea to plot out the complete route. It would be best if you moved any furniture or other obstacles out of the way.
To avoid costly repairs, it's also a good idea to safeguard the building's walls and floors. There are a variety of materials that you can use for this purpose, such as old rags and thick furniture blankets. Avoid using golf balls or pipes.
When accidents occur, this can help mitigate their effects and keep costs down.
Plan to remove the safe from your home and load it into the vehicle if you move your gun safe to a new location.
Note the hallways' width, the ceilings' height, and the location of any corners or staircases. These things will make moving the safe easier.
Get the Safe Ready
It would help if you emptied your safe before you moved. If you do this, you will reduce the safe's weight and protect your valuables from damage when in transit.
A detachable door is a common feature of most modern, safe models. If such is the case with yours, remove the door to lighten the safe load. However, if the door isn't detachable, ensure you lock it.
Cover the entire safe with a heavy furniture blanket. Wrap it up and tape it down. By taking these precautions, you can keep your safe in pristine condition and prevent any dings or scrapes to the walls or floor. Remember to empty the safe of all the ammunition and guns.
Get the Right Moving Equipment
Moving a heavy safe without the proper equipment is unsafe. So, get a heavy-duty appliance dolly that can carry gun safes. Dollies are available for rent from any local moving company.
Be sure to have the gun safe's dimensions and weight written before making the trip. It will allow them to get you the correct dolly.
It would help if you also bought or hired a rope to keep your heavy safe in place while you roll it out on the dolly.
2. Moving Phase
Now that you're ready to move the gun safe, you should take a few precautions to ensure the safe arrives at its destination in one piece.
Mounting the Safe to the Dolly
Here are the correct procedures for loading the safe onto the dolly.
- Position the dolly alongside the safe’s one side
- Ask your assistants to lean the safe’s back slightly on the other side
- Move the safe to the dolly
- Safely fasten the safe to the dolly using ropes or straps and make sure they are tight.
- Put the dolly on its wheels, lean back, and roll it with steadiness and ease. Ask for assistance from your assistants in transporting the safe on a dolly by having them hold it steady.
Choose the Best Path
As you make your way through tight corners, please exercise extreme caution. It's best to take it easy, especially around narrow corridors. Stairs could be the most challenging part, whether going up or down. Do it slowly and steadily with the help of your pals, so it doesn't topple over.
Loading Onto a Truck
A moving truck with a powered loading ramp makes the job much simpler. If not, these procedures should help:
- Position the dolly such that you can pull it up the ramp
- Do the pulling with the dolly while your helpers push the safe
- Maintain the tempo and keep going. With some effort, you can move the safe up the ramp in a single try.
- Put the safe in the truck and fasten it down, so it doesn't roll about while in transit
FAQs
Can You Move a Safe With a Dolly?
Yes, you can use a dolly to move a safe. Rent a sturdy appliance dolly, harnesses or ropes, and thick moving blankets. You will need to know the safe’s dimensions and weight when hiring moving equipment from a company.
What Is the Safest Way to Move a Heavy Load to One Side?
The safest technique to transfer a heavy load to one side is to maintain the load’s heaviest side near your body. If you can’t get your hands and feet on the dolly underneath, slide it toward you first. Take a firm stance. If the load is on the ground, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your right leg in front of your left.
What Makes a Safe So Heavy?
The heavy steel walls and composite construction of a high-security safe are responsible for its weight. The multiple layers of the walls add weight and significantly increase protection.
Can You Move a Safe by Yourself?
Yes, you can move a safe by yourself, but it is advisable to enlist the help of friends or family members because there is safety in numbers. If you want to move your safe successfully, you’ll need the help of at least three capable people.