Cat Tree: How to move upstairs, without help?

[graphitepaddle]

Bought a 50 lb, 60" tall cat tree, and got out of the car, into house, and up the first landing of the steps.

Problem: It's too awkward to move up the steps without help.  If I pick up either end, the opposite end gets stuck.  But I want to be independent,, because it will not be my last tree or other large object to move up the stairs.  Any suggestions?

Thinking a hand truck w. large knobby tires (to grip the carpet).  Or is there is a better option?

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

Most tool rental places have at least one stair creeper - usually just a few dollars for a 4 hour rental:

 

[graphitepaddle]

Thanks for the rapid reply!

Good:

There is no easier option that I can imagine to move my cat tree

Westco seems like a good brand

Bad:

Nearest rental location is several hours away

Might not fit in my car

At 110 lbs, it wouldn't be easy to move once in the car

Bottom Line: It's a good fallback option, but I want a better one.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

 
Thanks for the rapid reply!

Good:

There is no easier option that I can imagine to move my cat tree

Westco seems like a good brand

Bad:

Nearest rental location is several hours away

Might not fit in my car

At 110 lbs, it wouldn't be easy to move once in the car

Bottom Line: It's a good fallback option, but I want a better one.

 

[graphitepaddle]

Spent all last night trying to solve this, and found the following:

• Cart-based solutions are the most practical, because a cart could also move heavy objects (e.g. 6' cat trees) on level ground
• If you need to rest, while going up the stairs, or the cart slips, you risk damage not only to the tree, but also the wall of the house --> Safety precautions are needed such as blankets or empty boxes at the bottom of the stairs, to absorb impact from a runaway cat tree ... adding a safety strap between the top post & cat tree (similar to the safety harness) is also prudent
• 2-wheel carts with wheels 10"+ diameter, are an option.  Smaller wheels are likely to get to stuck on individual stairs
• Stair climbing carts are not as effective on level ground, and don't offer the control going down stairs as 2 large wheels, but appear the best for moving items up stairs
•  looks like a good option among the stair climbing carts, but will not be available until mid-April
• Enlisting a friend to help move the cat tree that is occupying my stairway, but I still want a cart for moving other cat trees, computers, etc., etc. for the next tree ... and there will be at least another cat tree

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

Would the cat tree not be less unwieldy out of the box?

.

 

[graphitepaddle]

Definitely.  And I would have been able to move something that light on my own, by getting behind it & push it up the stairs ... done it before.

But this tree was purchased at a cat show, and is partially covered by plastic wrap.

Since I won't be happy w. 3 trees, have to think of a long-term solution.  Also, maybe 1 floor for my next house? 

 

[mingsmongols]

I normally wrap a ratchet strap around it then push it up the stairs pulling on the strap to get the top of the box over the next step as I go... Probably not very safe though.

 

[graphitepaddle]

Sounds like a slow process, which a killer for me since I get dizzy on the stairs, if I stand still or move slowly.

 

[abyeb]

Is it modular? Can you take it apart and reassemble it?

 

[graphitepaddle]

No, but it's a good approach, which I haved before on other heavy objects.