Transporting a used pellet stove

sportbikerider78 · Oct 28, 2015

We are talking about an assembly with steel, motors and other metal fabrications, right? If it is that fragile, I wouldn't want it!

I have had no issues transporting almost anything, as long as you secure it the right way. Look at pics of the stove online and see if there are protrusions like that exhaust flange, that stick out from the stove. You may have to block it up with some 2x4's to really get it to sit nicely in the back of the wagon.
I've transported dirtbikes sideways, atv's standing straight up, motorcycles backwards,,,,you just have to rig it right so that it is secure.

Ratchet straps are you friend. Even though it might seem very secure without special rigging, if you are in an accident, that stove will become airborne and kill everyone in the car. Strap it down, best you can with multiple straps in every tiedown location.

CleanFire · Oct 28, 2015

The Ecoteck here came home in the back seat of a 2000 Toyota Camry, with a blanket on the seat for protection -> then a plywood base on the seat, stove loaded still strapped to the moving dolly, glass-side up.. Had help getting into the back seat, got it back out alone, by shimmying stove / plywood -> to edge of seat = fulcrum.
In your Outback, if going it alone from the trunk, you will need ramps, rope or straps, and a D-Ring (or locking caribiner) anchored to the front seat bases to use as your lift/lowering point.

Peterfield · Oct 28, 2015

bogieb said:
It's that installing the hitch part that hits the pocketbook - especially if you can't do it yourself, or at least not in the time needed.

Don't rent from HD for a long distance/time haul - their price is only good for 75 minutes then the charges start adding up.

You mean everyone doesn't own at least one truck? I've known folks to rent small step vans or cargo vans from Enterprise at reasonable rates to haul stuff.

bogieb · Oct 28, 2015

Peterfield said:
You mean everyone doesn't own at least one truck? I've known folks to rent small step vans or cargo vans from Enterprise at reasonable rates to haul stuff.

Enterprise may be different. But I rented a van from U-Haul and it was really cheap, until I added in the mileage factor for 88 miles - then it cost me $100 for a couple of hours.

Peterfield · Oct 28, 2015

bogieb said:
Enterprise may be different. But I rented a van from U-Haul and it was really cheap, until I added in the mileage factor for 88 miles - then it cost me $100 for a couple of hours.

Enterprise will sometimes have deal codes online. I helped a friend clean out household belongings from his Mom's house and we rented a cargo van (minivan without windows) for $19.99 including mileage. I suppose a regular minivan with the rear seat removed would also work if the price was right.

glockshooter · Oct 28, 2015

I think the ease of getting something in and out of a van or truck would be worth the $100, not to mention the scrub of sliding a stove in and out, strapping it down, etc. If it were me, I would be renting.

CleanFire · Oct 28, 2015

Agree - for the cost of the rental / straps / loading ramps, that is less $$$ vs. damaging the vehicle interior, or cost of an injury.

womaus · Oct 28, 2015

Many excellent replies, excellent advice.

The stove will need to be partially disassembled, the sides have large ceramic panels, the front a couple of small ones. Easily done, the top slips up and off, allowing the panels to slip up and out. Then the burn box area is ceramic also, this will need to come out so that it doesn't jostle around. I'll try to attach a link to a pic so that you can see the stove.

http://www.forgreenheat.org/decathlon/imgs/imgs/i1.jpg

http://usa.ravelligroup.it/prod/38-rv100_classic.php

The Ravelli RV100 Classic is the one on the far right, looks like it's missing the tile on the bottom front.

Enterprise Rental for a Toyota Tacoma like pickup runs about $115.00 a day, unlimited mileage. Budget (?, maybe another outfit) gets $95.00 for a Ford F150, unlimited mileage. A rental would be the way I would most likely go with this, less wear and tear and mileage on the wife's Subaru, less chance of getting ashes all over the place. Hitting the right crosswinds it may even do the yearly deep clean itself?

Transfer pickup to pickup will be easy, arrival at home would most likely involve a purchase of Harbor Freight 1000b ramps, about $60. I've been needing these anyway for snowblower transport etc. I would have assistance getting it into the house, as much as I need. I do a lot of favors for people, never call the favors back in. The time is now....

Just had a long consult with the wife (she has a more realistic way of looking at things). She thinks it's crazy to go 700 miles round trip for a stove, but she does like the stove more than any other out there. This stove was the one that she warmed up when I first started talking about installing one. Isn't a big fan of the "black lump" look sitting in a room. We put everything on paper, purchase price, rentals, expected gasoline costs, ramps, lunch on Mt Desert Island. One year old stove, a savings of over $1600.00 from new, probably closer to $2000.00+ if the venting and hearth pad are usable.

And I like a long drive. Clears the head.

I haven't even thought about the carbon tax credits I'll need to offset. Ouch.

All that said, I'm scheduled to take a look at a relatively new Harman Accentra-2 in a couple of hours. Includes venting. My wife approves this one also, it's too tall to be "a lump". This is a lot closer to home, I won't feel bad about calling in a favor from a friend with a truck. It'll cost me lunch and a case of beer.

To all, many thanks for all of this advice. I hope that I someday will be able to add as much to the forum.

CleanFire · Oct 28, 2015

womaus said:
All that said, I'm scheduled to take a look at a relatively new Harman Accentra-2 in a couple of hours. Includes venting. My wife approves this one also, it's too tall to be "a lump". This is a lot closer to home, I won't feel bad about calling in a favor from a friend with a truck. It'll cost me lunch and a case of beer.

Hopefully this feedback will help - the Ravelli RV100 is a -nice- stove, but requires more user maintenance vs. the Harman Accentra-2 you are considering.

Longer burn time before loading pellets, less maintenance w/ the Accentra-2: with the Ravelli, you will be doing a daily (sometimes semi-daily in coldest winter weather) maintenance (shut down / clean burn pot, vacuuming), and a full deep-cleaning every ton of pellets (again, sometimes less depending on burn/season) in order to keep the stove air passages clean, for good burning.

I'd seriously weigh the cost/time/$$$ and if Harman is within the realm of possibility, that would be my personal choice.

All that said - no regrets w/ the Ecoteck Stove here, just requires more maintenance / is a "labor-of-love"..

Best of luck w/ your purchase.

glockshooter · Oct 28, 2015

just adding i think that Ravelli is a seriously impressive looking stove.. I can see the attraction, but not the price.

Cranky Yankee · Oct 28, 2015

I looked at the same stove, what kept me away was finding readiy available parts if needed

womaus · Oct 28, 2015

There seem to be more than a few dealers around, and of course they speak highly of them, "haven't seen too many problems with the one's we've sold" routine. Hard to find enough real user reviews to make a good decision, especially buying used.

CleanFire, a few posts above, stated in a few words what I was thinking while looking at one of these on the showroom floor. Overall though he seems pleased with his stove, it is much like the Ravelli (from what I've seen).

I haven't ruled it out. Yet.

F4jock · Oct 28, 2015

Get a liftgate

womaus · Oct 28, 2015

womaus said:
All that said, I'm scheduled to take a look at a relatively new Harman Accentra-2 in a couple of hours. Includes venting. My wife approves this one also, it's too tall to be "a lump". This is a lot closer to home, I won't feel bad about calling in a favor from a friend with a truck. It'll cost me lunch and a case of beer.

Unfortunately this one turned out to be too good to be true...it wasn't relatively new, nor would it even run the test sequence completely.

The foliage was nice though, just a week or so past prime. And found a good lunch place in Jaffrey.

womaus · Oct 28, 2015

F4jock said:
Get a liftgate

I was considering hiring Teamsters. Just need to find where Jimmy Hoffa is these days....

Cranky Yankee · Oct 28, 2015

on Craigslist there's an Enviro Empress for sale over in Salem MA for $1200 I don't know a thing about it

rowerwet · Oct 28, 2015

Moving from truck bed height to ground will take a ramp and dolly/hand truck (and straps).
Movement from truck bed to bed is the easiest.
I would have a hitch just because, every vehicle I've owned has had one or one I installed. Good for bike racks etc.
A cheap folding trailer from HF will move half a ton of pellets at a time.
I see a big opportunity to get new tools/toys to go with the new stove

womaus · Oct 28, 2015

rowerwet said:
I see a big opportunity to get new tools/toys to go with the new stove

Do you have financing available for me?

womaus · Oct 29, 2015

Time to close up this thread. Found an Accentra less than a mile from home at a great price. Have access to a friends work van, ramps, straps, dollies.

To all that put up with me for the last week or so, well, if we ever meet up in a bar somewhere I'll buy you a beer. Many thanks for the advice, hand holding, encouragement.

Bioburner · Oct 29, 2015

Don't think many here will argue about the value of a Harman Accentra. Can put the $$$ saved into nice hearth pad and good venting and couple tons of pellets
Good luck

womaus · Oct 29, 2015

Bioburner said:
Don't think many here will argue about the value of a Harman Accentra. Can put the $$$ saved into nice hearth pad and good venting and couple tons of pellets
Good luck

The stove comes with the Harmon Accentra cast iron pad, and the Harmon thru-wall with vent and OAK. Certainly swayed my thinking.

Bioburner · Oct 29, 2015

What and they didn't give you pellets and delivery too?

womaus · Oct 29, 2015

Bioburner said:
What and they didn't give you pellets and delivery too?

If I had the cash on me it would have been delivered. Alas, he only had a pickup truck for the day to transport an emu shelter from upstate to downstate
.
And I did get pellets. The hopper is at lest 25% full.

I'm rock'in this deal don't you know.

CleanFire · Oct 30, 2015

womaus said:
Overall though he seems pleased with his stove, it is much like the Ravelli (from what I've seen).

It is, the stove here is much like the RV80 series.

The new Ravelli Stoves have the RDS system to auto-tune the burn, that's a really nice feature. They also have a cast-iron burn pot, vs. the stainless burn pot on the Francesca here, another welcome upgrade.

Increased maintenance requirements non-withstanding, based on our experience w/ the Ecoteck Francesca stove here to-date, I would not hesitate considering or purchasing a Ravelli Stove.

Congrats w/ the Accentra purchase, look forward to reading how your install goes and experience w/ the stove.

womaus · Oct 30, 2015

Can a stove be transported on it's side?

We'll find out soon enough.

I had more straps in transit, this was unloading.

And the van was sideways!

Transporting a used pellet stove

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