How Do I Transport A Two Tier Cake? What Sort Of Box?
Decorating By berryblondeboys Updated 16 Jan 2007 , 5:13pm by wyatt
What do I need to transport a two tier cake, a 10" and a 6"? I don't want to break the bank, but I know I need SOMETHING to hold the thing.
Melissa
Well, unless you are planning on walking, the first thing I would suggest is that you get your hands on a vehicle of some sort. Preferably not a convertable or anything that has less than 4 wheels. 
All kidding aside, I would seriously reccommend transporting the cakes separately, since they aren't huge and then set them up on site. That way you don't have to worry about any incidents that might cause them to separate during transportation (sudden stops, sharp turns).
If that is totally not a possible option, get 2 larger cake boxes (only a few dollars really) and cut the bottom off of one and the top off the other and duct tape the two openings together then you have a box tall enough to cover the two cakes.
Reminder for transporting the cake in the vehicle on the seat, put a roll of paper towels or a cut up pool noodle at the back of the seat under the cake so that the cake sits level.
DRIVE CAREFULLY!!!
LOL, well YES, a car is already in the plan! LOL (I have a station wagon).
How do people feel about setting up a cake at their home, do you know? This is a bday cake for a one year old. So, the bottom is for the family and the top is a smash cake for the baby. It wouldn't take me long to do it, but does it look like I'm running late? or unprofessional? Or MORE professional, you know?
Melissa
I usually transport my cakes unassembled because coming down off my hill alone would kill it, and don't get me started on potholes!! Love these PA roads....Anyway if you are taking a cake that small it may be okay to take it stacked (although when I do I make my sister come on hold it!) One thing I always use that is only a few dollars it that non-skid drawerliner stuff. I got mine at Wal-Mart, I just lay it out in the back of my minivan and put the cake tiers right on that. they don't go anywhere. I also got a sponge mattress cover (about $12 at walMart) and cut that to size that kinda works as a shock (bump) absorber. Once again Potholes!! Hope this helps!
Station wagons rule!! (I have an old one with the fake wooden panels on the side!!!)
I would just explain to the customers that to ensure the safety of the cake and minimize the number of things that could go wrong (an oh, there are quite a few!!) you prefer to set the cake up on site. I would be sure to have whatever piping bags ready to go on hand so that all you have to do is unbox tha cake, set up (have it already doweled an whatnot) and pipe on a boarder. Most people I know say "oh sure, I understand" and allow you to do your thing as long as you are fairly quick. As far as looking like you are running short of time, just be a few minutes early for delivery.
Good luck!
It doesn't look like you're running late and most people are fascinated to watch a professional cake person put the finishing touches on a cake! I overheard one person tell a friend how her cake "...... wasn't just thrown together like a grocery store! This one had to be assembled at my house!" To her, it was a prestige thing that HER cake had to be precisely assembled!
Thanks! The only other tiered cake I did was for the wedding and I did that on site, obviously! LOL
Hmmm... it's a tough call as this is a rubber duck cake, so the border just isnt' a little rope or shells, but bubbles foaming up the side of the cake... I'll have to think this one through... any tips?
I drive with tiers all the time. I go to Staples and buy packing boxes (12 x 12 x 12; 14 x 14 x 14 and 16 x 16 x 16. If the cake ends up being too tall for the box, then I tape the flaps up and cover the top with tinfoil. I also cut one of the sides so that it opens like a draw bridge. That way I can slide the cake in and then tape the side back up. Because all my cakes are for friends, I just take the box back--they never get dirty. 
I also have a minivan, so that helps alot!
I send customers with two teir cakes all of the time. My most popular size is a 6" on top of a 10"...both are 4 layers. I dowel it and then put a dowel running through the entire cake. I pack it in a 12" box with the lid taped as far down as possible. I've NEVER had a problem doing it this way. JMO!
Does anyone do like Duff on Ace of Cakes and not put the cake in a box? I've seen him transport the cakes whole and just placed in the back of his van.
Do you think the cake gets dirty when you do this? Of course the van/car would be clean 
I wonder if it would be easier to transport without the box????? Anyone know?
With or without a box, as cakesandbakes says, that non-skid drawer liner stuff is Gold, baby, Gold! I use it inside boxes, in my van for large cakes, on my turntable, you name it!
It is so true!! I should take stock in it! I use that stuff for EVERYTHING!! 
I found where to buy the rubber mat or drawer liners in "bulk" at Smart & Final. You get double the size in a roll for about $10.00.
I also if I need a little tall box just enough to fit in my vehicle,, I go to the U-Haul store,,,they have all size boxes and the flaps I can either cut off or leave on an just fold over.....plus the box is foldable when I'm finished for the next cake run.
I put my drawer liner after I measure out the size and cut I need for underneath the box and one inside the box so the cake won't jiggle.....
Good luck.......
That's a good idea - staple boxes. Since she lives like 1 mile from me, I think I can transport it and our roads are in pretty good condition between here and there too (this year, not last year! LOL)
And, I'll have to buy some nonskid stuff. Ihave some for my carpets and futon, but not for cakes! LOL
Melissa
Your situation sounds similiar to one I encountered over the summer. 10" base with tiered 6". My husband drove, I held the 10", my 12yo held the 6" and we all marched in together. I assembled it on the party table. We were late and yet folks were fascinated. When I don't have extra hands, I have a big, flat box I use in the trunk of my car or in the front seat (depending on the size of the cake). Non-skid on the bottom of the box and a piece inside the box under the cake. Most of my cakes are 3d. Customers get their cake on a cakeboard. It's usually a short drive (no more than an hour) and my car is clean.
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