Outdoor items rarely make it onto the moving inventory until the crew is standing in the backyard. Grills, patio sets, trampolines, hot tubs and motorcycles each need their own preparation — propane disconnected, cushions bagged, frames taken down, fluids handled — and some need specialist equipment. This guide covers each, with the Los Angeles details that matter.
A grill is greasy, sometimes connected to propane, and awkward to move — and the propane part is a genuine safety issue. Here's how to move one cleanly and safely.
For a gas grill, shut off and disconnect the propane tank — and don't put the tank on the moving truck, because pressurized propane is a fire hazard movers can't transport. Transport the tank upright in your own vehicle with the windows cracked, or exchange/dispose of it and get a fresh one after the move.
Grills are full of grease that leaks and smells in transit. Clean the grates, empty the grease tray, and remove ash from a charcoal grill. A clean grill packs cleaner and won't ruin nearby boxes.
Remove the grates, flavorizer bars and any detachable shelves or side tables; wrap them and bag the hardware. Secure the lid closed with tape or a strap so it can't flap. Pad the body in a moving blanket. Smaller grills can be boxed; larger ones move as furniture.
Move the grill upright and secure it in the truck so it can't tip. After the move, reconnect the propane outdoors, check for leaks with soapy water before lighting, and you're back in business. Note that propane and other hazards can't ride with the movers — see what movers won't move and our garage packing guide.
Patio furniture is bulky, often dirty, and a mix of materials that each need different handling. Clean it, break it down, and it packs surprisingly compact.
Outdoor furniture collects dirt, cobwebs, leaves and sometimes pests — clean and dry everything before it goes in the truck so you're not transporting grime (or bugs) into the new place. This matters even more if it's going into storage.
Take apart what comes apart: remove table legs and glass tops, fold or stack chairs, collapse umbrellas (and remove heavy bases — transport those separately), and break down sectionals. Bag the cushions to keep them clean and dry, and bag all hardware.
Glass tabletops come off and travel on edge, wrapped. Wrought iron and metal get padded so they don't scratch or rust-mark other items. Wicker and rattan are surprisingly fragile — blanket-wrap them. Teak and wood get blankets, not plastic, so they can breathe.
Clean the grill and remove the propane (it can't go on the truck). Stack and nest what you can to save truck space, and load the heavy bases low. Our crews move and protect outdoor furniture as part of the move — see our what movers won't move, glass guide, and furniture protection guide.
A trampoline looks unmovable, but it comes apart into manageable pieces with the right approach (and a spring tool). The question is whether it's worth moving — for a newer one, usually yes.
Take it apart in reverse of assembly: remove the safety net and poles first, then use a spring tool to detach the springs (pulling them by hand is how people get hurt), then lift off the mat, and finally unbolt the frame and legs into sections. Keep all springs, bolts and hardware in labeled bags.
Bundle and tie the frame poles together, fold the mat and net, and box the springs and hardware (they're heavy — use a small sturdy box). Pad anything that could scratch or poke. The disassembled trampoline is bulky but flat-packs reasonably in a truck.
Take photos as you disassemble and keep the parts together — a trampoline with missing hardware is frustrating to rebuild. If you've lost the original instructions, the photos are your reassembly guide.
For a newer or higher-end trampoline, moving it is worth the effort. For an older, rusted or basic one, the labor and truck space may cost more than a replacement — and many people leave or donate it. If you do move it, our crews can transport the disassembled pieces as part of the move. See garage packing and what movers won't move.
Hot tubs are among the most challenging items to move — heavy, bulky, fragile, and requiring careful access planning. Here's what to know about moving a hot tub in Los Angeles.
Moving a hot tub within LA typically costs $300–$700, depending on size/weight (400–900 lbs empty is typical), distance, access difficulty, and equipment needed. Crane lifts (over a fence, to a second-story deck) add $400–$800.
Step 1: Drain completely. A full hot tub weighs 3,000–5,000 lbs. Drain it 24 hours before moving day.
Step 2: Disconnect utilities. Have a licensed electrician disconnect and cap the 240V wiring — budget $100–$200.
Step 3: Remove cover and steps. Transport these separately to prevent damage.
Step 4: Assess the exit path. The path must be at least 36" wide (most hot tubs are 84" x 84"). Gates and narrow paths are common obstacles.
Step 5: Load and transport. The tub goes on its side using appliance dollies — never on the acrylic shell.
Hillside properties: Many LA backyards are on hillsides with no vehicle access. Getting the tub out may require a crane or manual carry — always quote this specifically.
Tight gates: Most residential gates in LA are 36"–48" wide vs. a standard 84" x 84" hot tub. The tub usually needs to be tilted vertically, which is complex.
Reconnection: Budget $150–$300 for an electrician to reconnect at the new location.
Call (213) 679-6844 to discuss your hot tub move — access and crane needs are assessed case by case.
A motorcycle is valuable, heavy and easy to drop or scratch if it's not secured properly. Whether you're going across town or across the country, here's how to move it safely.
For a local LA move, the simplest option is to ride the bike to the new place yourself. If that's not practical, load it on a trailer or in a truck using a proper loading ramp — two people, walking it up steadily. Never try to muscle a heavy bike up a ramp alone.
Tie-downs are everything. Use at least four ratchet straps (or wheel chocks plus straps), compress the front forks slightly so the suspension holds tension, and strap from stable frame points — not handlebars alone, which can bend. The bike should not be able to shift or lean. Check the straps again after a few miles.
For transport, lower the fuel level, disconnect or secure the battery for a long haul, fold in the mirrors, and pad anything that could rub. Photograph the bike from all angles before it moves so you can document any new marks.
For a cross-country move, a dedicated motorcycle shipping/auto-transport service (open or enclosed) is usually the safest, simplest option — enclosed for a high-value or classic bike. Note that most household movers don't transport motorcycles, so plan it separately. See our what movers won't move guide, and we'll handle the rest of your household move.
No — pressurized propane is a fire hazard and can't go on the moving truck. Disconnect the tank and transport it upright in your own vehicle, or exchange it after the move.
Disconnect the propane, clean the grates and grease tray (remove ash from charcoal grills), disassemble removable parts, secure the lid, and pad the body in a blanket.
Clean and dry it first, disassemble what comes apart (legs, glass tops, umbrellas, sectionals), bag the cushions and hardware, protect by material, and stack/nest to save space. Remove propane from any grill.
Yes — it collects dirt, cobwebs and sometimes pests. Clean and dry everything so you're not transporting grime or bugs into the new place, especially if it's going into storage.
Disassemble it in reverse of assembly: remove the net and poles, use a spring tool to detach the springs, lift off the mat, and unbolt the frame into sections. Bag all hardware and bundle the poles.
Strongly recommended — a spring tool detaches the springs safely. Pulling them by hand is awkward and a common way to pinch fingers or strain.
Not as part of a standard household job. A hot tub is a rigid, awkward, several-hundred-pound object that usually has to come through a gate or over a wall, and it needs a crew briefed for it, the right dollies and often a crane for a rooftop or hillside property. Tell us it exists when you call and we at Best Movers LA quote it as its own line rather than discovering it on the day.
Completely, and not on the morning of the move. Drain it, blow out the lines, and let it sit — residual water adds a lot of weight and any left in the plumbing can freeze or slosh in transit. Most failures on hot tub moves trace back to a tub drained an hour before the truck arrived.
Use at least four ratchet straps (or wheel chocks plus straps), compress the front forks slightly so the suspension holds tension, and strap from stable frame points — never handlebars alone. The bike shouldn't be able to shift or lean.
Most don't — motorcycles are usually handled by a dedicated motorcycle shipping or auto-transport service. Plan it separately from your household move.
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