shipping boxes for heavy electronics

I have received an Esoteric I-03 and a Mark Levinson No 585 in the past couple of months that weighed 98 and 92 pounds respectively. They both arrived triple boxed in the manufaturer’s packing.

Emily:  Ummmm, whatttt???

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Here is one for you . . .

I recently had a Jeff Rowland Model 5 shipped to me in the original wood crate using the original high-density fitted foam packaging. Just like you are suppose to do. The entire package wighed in a 148lb.

When I went to the Brown truck to receive package, I noticed that the crate was resting on its side. Since the package was so heavy, the driver just pushed the crate over and let it drop on the floor of the truck prior to putting it on his dolly, like he was delivering crate full of cast-iron cylinder heads.

I also notice that the shipping company put a label on both the top and bottom of the crate so that it could be handled and transported upside down, right-side-up, or on its side. Nice . . .

Anyway, I inspected the amp before the driver left and there was no visible exterior damage; however, once I removed the amp from the wood crate, I heard a clink, clank, inside the amp. Apparently this heavy crate was knocked around so much in transit, and since the later version of the Jeff Rowland Model 5 has two rather heavy plug-in circuit modules, the jarring caused both modules to get knocked out of their respective sockets and of course, most of the connector pins protruding for the bottom of these circuit modules were all bent up. Lucky for me, there was no other internal damage, and I was able to carefully straighten all the bent pins without breaking any. After that the modules could be reinserted on to the circuit boards.

What I learned for this experience is that even thous you paid this comapany $158 to carefully move your package 1000 miles, not even a wood crate can fully protect your heavy electronics from damage, and that a heavy wood crate probably gets knocked around in transit more than a lighter cardboard box. Also, wood crates do not absorb energy as well as cardboard boxes, and for that reason, they transmit impact energy quite well to the item you are trying to protect.

... or maybe I learned, damned if you do damned if you don't. I’ll tell you, no matter how well I pack it, I cringe every time I ship or have something shipped to me like a heavy power amp.

BTW, even after all of this, the amp sounds great.

I had a very good experience using the UPS Store. I brought my 86lb Classe CA300 amp in and they double boxed it with lots of foam. It was better than the original box and foam. And the cost was quite reasonable.

I am a contractor for FedEx ground and would offer these suggestions. Look for the pound rating of the cardboard boxes. Pack it in one with the heaviest rating you can find. Often times moving companies will have them available or local suppliers. After you pack the crap out of it, PUT IT IN A SECOND BOX LARGER THAN THE FIRST. Than bubble wrap the first box into the second box.

If any of you ever saw how these packages move thru the system you would never do less than the above. You have to make sure that the equipment in the first box, and the first box in the second box don't move at all!!!

Stuff falls off of the belt lines, boxes fall off of shelves in the trucks etc. One last suggestion: NEVER ship UPS. They will almost never pay a claim on damaged contents. FedEx is VERY good about paying claims. I am speaking from personal experience of stuff that UPS destroyed that was sent to me before working for FedEx. That included a trophy musky that UPS broke every fin of the mounted fish.

"When using a pallet, ask the shipper (or do it yourself) to attach cardboard pyramids to the top of the box(es). this is a very common technique (trick) used to prevent carriers from stacking other stuff on top of your shipment ;~)"

Sounds like something that might piss those gorillas off and purposely drop it. You know, like putting "Fragile Do Not Drop" on the box.

When using a pallet, ask the shipper (or do it yourself) to attach cardboard pyramids to the top of the box(es). this is a very common technique (trick) used to prevent carriers from stacking other stuff on top of your shipment ;~)

ULINE has double wall maybe even triple wall boxes, gatta buy them bundled though.

Thank you everybody for replying. I ended up buying a box from UPS store that is able to withstand 80+ lbs. And of course the UPS store guy said why don't you just let us pack it for you.

I told the UPS store guy that I have had bad experiences with them before, and proceeded to take the box to FedEx and have them pack up for me. heavy bubble wraps all around. No heavy foam however. This will be a lesson learned. And I hope it will get to Parasound safe and sound. I have had ok experiences so far with FedEx and hope they will be careful. The package has fragile stickers around all sides and package exceeding 70+ lbs sticker as well. on the receipt itself it was marked fragile also. I am worried now though hearing about the insurance nightmare issues. keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again for everybody's feedback. they are very valuable. Time to load up on some foams!

Elizabeth is right. However, for best result you need padding between both boxes. Logic does wonders. I've done many. Logic didn't always work with other issues, though.

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Buy the box from Parasound. Whatever they charge will be worth it.

Liz's instructions are spot-on. Follow her instructions and you'll have a bomb-proof box. I've done it the same way dozens of times and I've never had an issue or a damaged item.

Professional packers are good, but very expensive compared to doing it Liz's way yourself.
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As noted above, you should see if you can buy a box from Parasound.

Another option is to contact a packing company like the Box Stop. You should ask the Box Stop (or other similar company in your area) for their opinion on the best way to pack and ship your unit. This will ensure your amplifier gets packed correctly. For example, see http://boxstop.biz/

I have used them several times and they are very good. Most likely, they will use a double box, include bubble wrap and/or foam, as needed, to protect your amplifier. The use of a professional packing company will help ensure your amplifier get delivered safely. The cost for this professional packing is reasonable and is recommended because of units weight.

Elizazbeth is correct. Multiple boxes, plenty of thick foam. I just shipped out my old Carys with the original packing, which included very thick foam, and 3 (yes 3!) strong thick cardboard boxes. However, I have heard that FedEX an UPS can refuse to pay claims if the original packing is not used, or if you don't let them do the packing. So Maplegroves suggestion about using a wood crate or pallet is also a very good suggestion.

A wood crate is the way to go .With the styrofoam insulation at home depot .sold in 4x8 sheets.Most delivery services are not going to try and lift something that heavy . They would use dollys or something to aid in lifting heavy weights .

Uhaul has moving boxes that are sturdy 2 ply corrugated, and if you double box, with sturdy styrofoam sheets (you can get at home depot) you may be able to fabricate a package. I would NOT ship a 90 lb amp this way unless I could find 2 double ply boxes that could nest inside each oter with a minimum of 2" hi density styrofoam around it, and use a lot of sturdy packing tape to seal it all up. I may also be inclined to insert some 1/4" plywood sheets on at least 2 opposing sides to give the corners more stiffness.

uline.com look up double ply corrugated boxes in the size required.

Rethinking my last post, that packing method will address the box with an 80 pound weight limit but you are better off strapping it to a pallet and using freight instead of ground. Your amp will survive ground unless it gets in the wrong hands and is dropped. Less of a chance dropping with freight.

At some point you need to use wood/plywood on a pallet to insure safe transit. The big 3, usps, ups, fedex have a poor record shipping our expensive and cherished audio components. Good luck collecting for damages also. I have had a couple of nightmares via UPS, they delivered a set of speakers to Florida and left them out in the open to soak up the afternoon thunderstorm. The gorgeous finish on the monitors was trashed, cones soaked- a total loss. They tried to blame me saying they were poorly packed. I got $400- for $2k speakers.
If you want it to get there safely, go freight.

Elizabeth nailed it to the T. I have a lot of packing experience and will say that if you follow her advice you should be fine. The only thing I would add id to put the same dense foam in BOTH boxes.
Buying a Parasound box works too but I find that manufacturers charge hefty for their boxes.I had to fork out $90.00 for an Audio Research box! They are double boxes I know but $90.00 for carboard!

Perhaps you could buy a box from Parasound. If you contacted their service department, maybe they have boxes that they sell to people who want to ship their amps in for service.