<p>For a variety of reasons, I plan on driving D to her large state uni (about 400 miles away) at the last minute before classes. She’s a sophomore and won’t need orientation, so that’s not the problem. But I just found out today that anyone who gets to campus after the official move-in days will have a) no help from the volunteers and b) no cart available. The part that bothers me is having no cart. D is packing light, but that still means lots of stuff. I can’t change our plans now because I already paid for two nights at the local hotel, and the reservations can’t be changed. Yikes! I can’t picture making 17 trips back and forth to the car. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>We never even used a cart. My son had everything in 2/3 duffel bags on rollers. We also had folding cardboard boxes and tupperware filled. We just stacked that onto a handtruck. We pulled up to the front of the dorm, unloaded, someone stayed with the “stuff”, we parked and then made several trips rolling in most of it. It really was a pretty simple process. Everything was in its proper place within a couple of hours.</p>
<p>How about seeing if there are any equipment rental places near the university and reserving a rolling cart of some kind for the day you’ll be doing the move?</p>
<p>My kids all attended schools without carts for move in. As a matter of fact my daughters school does not have elevators and this year her room is on the 4th floor. I am helping her drive to school, so it will be interesting to see how hard it will be for the two of us to get the heavier stuff up the stairs!</p>
<p>While you said the hotel is non refundable, maybe they would be willing to just switch your days. You are not canceling your reservation, just changing the dates. If you want to go on move in day, give the hotel manager a call.</p>
<p>Four move-in’s and I’ve never seen a cart. I wouldn’t worrry about this. If it looks like you’ll be packing up sixteen flights, feign injury.</p>
<p>UCLA has carts (available anytime) and they’re very handy. UCSD didn’t have carts so I brought along a 2 wheel dolly. It meant a number of trips to the car but it wasn’t that bad. You can easily rent a dolly at u-haul or just buy one for not much. I also have a foldable dolly that’s built strongly and that’s especially nice since it takes up little room in the car. In addition to the dolly make sure you have a couple of heavy duty bungees that can hold the things to the dolly to make it even easier. Pack things with the dolly in mind if you go this route.</p>
<p>bring a hand cart from a friend…I have one, but only use it for a couple of trips. Also, if she has friends offer pizza for help unloading…</p>
<p>No carts. Four flights of stairs and no elevators.</p>
<p>No carts, couldn’t park closer than a city block, and 5 flights of stairs ( no elevators either). It was also hot and humid! We didn’t even think about a dolly - just carried stuff, but a dolly would have been nice. It took a while but everything got moved in. Students who were finished offered to help.</p>
<p>No carts, parked across the street, up two flights. It didn’t take that long.</p>
<p>Get a couple of those foldy grocery cart wheeled things, they aren’t expensive and will be very helpful, if just to pull to the building</p>
<p>Also, I have called, pulling the ole mom card, and gotten things that “weren’t available”- hard to say no to a pleading mom who doesnt want to hurt their back…worth a shot, its never really a NO when they send out notices.</p>
<p>Does she possibly know some strong students that will already be at school who could perhaps lend a hand? You mention that it is a large state Uni–perhaps there are some students that will be on campus already that could assist you. Contact a fraternity on the campus (if they exist) and ask if anyone would be willing to help, then treat them to a nice meal or offer of payment. And, by all means, try to get a small dolly. They are relatively inexpensive and will come in handy!</p>
<p>Another no cart, 4 flights, no elevator mom here. Move in help is only for freshman (and that was pretty weak). I thought I was going to faint last August. This year I plan on standing by the car waving $20 bills and pray some kids need money.</p>
<p>At S2’s school they have sent instructons that we can park very close to the dorm long enough to unload all the stuff on the sidewalk and then move the car to a farther away lot where it can stay til we’re done. Maybe you can do something like that. If it’s a co-ed dorm maybe some guys will offer to help</p>
<p>Never even heard of schools providing carts. When S1 moved in we took a handtruck (borrowed from a neighbor) to get the stuff from H’s truck to the bottom of the stairs. Luckily we didn’t have to haul a refrig. up the stairs and the roommate brought the TV so it wasn’t that bad.</p>
<p>Four narrow flights, no elevators, no hand truck and HOT HOT HOT and humid. Always have some nice homemade brownies and cookies available. I’ve mortified DD by grabbing the nearest strapping young men to carry some of the heavy stuff, but it works!</p>
<p>Bought a collapsible dolly (easily folded and stored under the bed or behind the dresser) at Lowe’s. It is a huge back saver!</p>
<p>When I moved in last fall, we made one trip up the elevator. After that, it was all stairs 7 flights up. Of course we took some of the heaviest stuff up the stairs ;)</p>
<p>Given that your daughter is a returning sophomore, she probably has freshman year friends who might be willing to help her move back into the dorm. Have your daughter contact her college friends (preferably those who will be residing in the same dorm) now; she should explain her move-in situation to them, and ask them for their assistance. (She should ask only those friends she trusts not to rummage through or run off with her stuff while her back is turned!) Several of her friends might be able and willing to help, but even if only one or two agree to do so, the move-in will be easier and faster. Offer to pay a reasonable and fair amount of money to the friends who actually show up to help; if they refuse payment, then compensate them some other way, such as by treating them to a good lunch or a good dinner.</p>
<p>You could also ask one of your close friends or relatives (someone with whom it would not be a problem for you to share your hotel room) to accompany you on the trip, expense-free. Your friend or relative would be able to help you help your daughter move, and would also be able to provide company (and driving assistance) for you on the trip home.</p>
<p>The collapsible dollies suggested by others who have posted here are great. (I own one.) Have several on hand–with straps–for the move, and leave one with your daughter to keep at school.</p>
<p>Carts were provided buy student services, we borrowed them and had to return them within an hour, but the cart was big enough for all my stuff, only made one trip :p. I found them here on a Google search, [move-in</a> carts](<a href=“http://www.nortonsupply.com/Articles.asp?ID=269]move-in”>http://www.nortonsupply.com/Articles.asp?ID=269) they are not exactly the same but they were a lot like these, large and four wheels.</p>
<p>Cart? Only a miracle will get you a cart at most schools.</p>
<p>This summer, I helped my daughter move in and out of a college dorm where she was staying during a summer internship. The parking garage was 4 blocks away from the dorm. It was 100 degrees on move-in day. We would have had to wait hours for a cart. We toughed it out.</p>
<p>If you think that no cart will be available, try using as many wheeled suitcases as possible (borrowed temporarily from friends or family members and returned after move-in). Pulling is easier than carrying. Also, consider dumping the contents of said suitcases in the room and going back to the car and refilling them. Over and over if necessary. And then check those suitcases before you drive away and make sure they’re empty! (We failed to do this, and some things went back home that should not have.)</p>