A truck that parks at the curb has the shortest possible walk. When it cannot, because of a steep driveway, a locked gate or a building with a distant loading door, every item gets a longer trip and the tariff may add a charge.
What counts as long
Tariffs set a distance, usually measured in feet from the truck to the entrance, past which the long carry charge applies. The distance differs between movers and between tariffs, so the number on your estimate is the one that matters.
A long carry is not about the stairs themselves. It is the walking distance, so a townhouse with a parking lot across a courtyard can trigger it with no steps at all.
Places where it shows up
Reno, Sparks and the Truckee Meadows have all of these, and so do the Tahoe shores.
- Apartment complexes with parking far from the unit
- Hillside homes with a steep or narrow drive
- Condominiums where the elevator is at the other end of a hall
- Lake Tahoe and mountain properties with winter parking limits
- Gated communities that restrict truck access
How to keep the walk short
Ask about truck parking at both addresses before the estimate. A reserved space, a permit for a truck on the street or a loading zone can shorten the carry. In multi-unit buildings, request the elevator or loading dock in advance.
If a full-size truck cannot reach the door, a shuttle is the next option, which is a separate service.
Long carries on an O'Brien's estimate
The estimator checks the approach to the door during the in-home visit and writes any long carry on the itemized estimate so the charge is known before the bill of lading. This follows 49 CFR 375.401(f), which asks the mover to determine these charges first.
Tell the estimator about gates, narrow lanes and distant parking. A visit costs nothing. Call 775-359-6683.