Best SUV for Pinball Transport

[GreenMarine]

Hey Fellas. Looking to go pickup a game next week and need to rent a vehicle. I usually go the Home Depot van route but kinda want to ride in something a bit nicer this time. Has anybody transported a pinball in an SUV? Maybe a Suburban, Tahoe, etc? Any guidance is appreciated.

[FUNWIZ]

I’m sure most SUVs can handle that, Pinball Machines are less than 60 inches long. Back in the 80s I use to transport two Pinball Machines in a station wagon.

[JaxGator]

I've moved pins in a tahoe before without issue.

[MilitiaMan]

I move games with my 4 Runner all the time. Pins go all the way in and the rear door closes fully.

Some video games are a bit too tall and require me to tie the rear door down.

Steve
MM

[GreenMarine]

Thanks Guys! I truly appreciate the help.

[tufnel1530]

I move games with my 4 Runner all the time. Pins go all the way in and the rear door closes fully.

Some video games are a bit too tall and require me to tie the rear door down.

Steve
MM

Yah, this 100%. A pinball fits perfect almost like it was made for that.

Plus 4 Runners are solid if you take care of them. Had mine for over a decade and had no issues at all.

They are expensive though.. during pandemic they were hard to find not sure if thats still the case, almost sold mine because resale price was crazy

[WannaTheater]

2005 Toyota Sequoia has served me well for moving games.

[k7]

you're going to rent a 2022 or 2023 vehicle. find one, and search the hatch opening specs online. it's the only way you're gonna know.

i know most subarus, some bmws, some jeeps are not good for moving certain pinball machines.

i shove them in a CRX. mind over matter.

[hawknole]

I move games with my 4 Runner all the time. Pins go all the way in and the rear door closes fully.

^This

[Neal_W]

Look for something with a ~32" tall door clearance and it will do.

[offset]

I've only hauled a couple arcade games in my Ford Expedition EL, the rear opening is 50x33x85in, I can fit an entire sheet of 4x8' plywood in the back.  The height will be close though.  I do recommend putting down some protection as you don't want to tear up the seats.  I have a thin sheet of 4x8 wood to protect the seats.

In the past, I've mostly rented a uhaul trailer (with ramp) and used my Expedition so I don't have a lot of usage hauling games in it.

Maybe rent a minivan and put down a sheet of plywood? Much lower load height in a minivan than a SUV (truck platform).

[k7]

Look for something with a ~32" tall door clearance and it will do.

not always true. if the rear seats don't lay flat, you might encounter issues.

i've loaded a bunch of vehicles:1, a BMW, and the headliner and cargo roof lights got in the way once i cleared the rear entrance.

the same thing happened with a subaru. in both cases, i had the machine hang 1/2 way out the tailgate, strapped the machine
sucure, and used a bungee cord and a towel to keep the hatch level with the roofline of the vehicle. both were short trips home,
and clear skies.

a couple of times (when i wasnt' there), a customer would load up a vehicle by themselves. one pair, damaged the side of a cabinet by
loading it sideways and catching the hatch latch on the cabinet artwork/sides.

another gentleman did NOT strap the machine into his pickup. it ended up on the street 5 miles away...

another person bought a machine to the shop for repair. he had it on legs, head up, in the back of his
truck. the head ripped off from wind. the termite damage helped that to happen.

[tufnel1530]

another gentleman did NOT strap the machine into his pickup. it ended up on the street 5 miles away...

I will second that, do not get a pickup

Even if you strap it down great it may slide and cause damage unless you drive like an old lady. Plus the back hatch tends to be on the high side which means you have to lift and slide pins from a normal height cart.

I moved a bunch of pins when I had a pickup and hated it, actually f'ed up the bottom of one just from minor sliding around.

[hawknole]

I know a guy that hauls a $h1tl0ad of pins in a Saturn Vue & another who has a Honda Element, which I’ve always wanted but wifey not a fan.

[k7]

while the Element is great, no one is going to rent one. They have not made one in 13 years.