It’s time to move. Are you ready? How to pack a moving truck will give you guidance when you load up for the move to your new home. There is a right way and a wrong way to pack a moving truck and this step-by-step guide will tell you how to pack so that it all fits and the weight is properly distributed and your items secured. This will ensure that when you get to your new home, you won’t have boxes that have been tossed like a salad in the back of your moving truck or scratched furniture and broken mirrors.
Have you rented a truck?
Moving trucks are sized according to the size of your home and is a, best guess, about whether your belongings will fit in the truck of one trip. It is better to have a truck that is too large, than one that is too small. When you rent a truck, you can also rent furniture blankets and hand trucks to handle heavy items.
If you need these items, and you most likely will, the added expense is well worth the convenience that they will add to your move. Tie down straps, bungee cords or rope will also be needed to secure your items and keep them in place.
Have you taken your furniture apart?
Furniture will travel better if you take it apart. The kitchen table, bed frames, mirrors, footboards, and headboards can be wrapped for protection before you put them on the truck or while loading. Remove table legs and roll them up in rugs to protect them and make them easy to pack. Mattresses, tabletops, and other furniture items can be wrapped in plastic, paper, or furniture pads.
Do you know to load heaviest items first?
Heavy items need to be loaded first because this will help maximize space and keep from overloading the rear of the truck. Items to load first include:
Note – Appliances, like refrigerators, washing machines should be drained of any water that is collected in their drain and water hoses before loading on the truck.
- If you are moving appliances, they should be wrapped in moving blankets and placed on the wall at the front of the truck in an upright position. If you are loading a refrigerator along with a washer and dryer distribute the weight evenly across the width of the truck and secure the items with tie down straps or rope. It is a good idea to put plastic or pads on the floor to protect your other items after from dirt and scratches after you load the appliances.
- Large pieces of furniture – should also be wrapped in blankets or moving pads and be loaded next. This includes entertainment units, sofas and chairs.
- Long items – such as bed rails, rolled up area rugs, tabletops, headboards, bed frames, and mattresses should be wrapped in packing blankets and secured to the sides of the truck as far forward as possible. Mirrors can be placed between mattresses to keep them safe on your trip. When you place dressers and other items with drawers or doors onto the moving truck, face the drawers and doors toward the wall so that they don’t open during your trip.
Are your boxes ready to be loaded?
If you can, pack your household items in boxes that are similar in size and label them so that you know what goes where when you get it to your new house. This makes packing them easier and uniform and will make the best use of space on the truck. It will also make it easy to place them where they belong, once they reach their destination. Layer the boxes placing the heaviest on the bottom with lighter, smaller boxes on top and try to keep the layers even. If a box has fragile items in it, label it so that whoever is packing knows how to treat it. The boxes should be secured so they don’t slide or tumble, especially if you have a truck that is larger than you need.
What do you have left to load?
Your moving truck should be packed as tightly as possible and once all of the above items are loaded you can load the remaining items, placing your light, fragile items on top your carefully constructed packing job. Items such as floor lamps, hat trees, and other awkward items should go on the truck now, too, if they are not already.
Remember to keep any important items set aside and load them in the front of the truck. This should include an overnight bag so that you have sleepwear and a change of clothes easily available.
Are you ready to move now?
Now that you know how to pack a moving truck are you ready to go. Moving day is full of excitement and safety should be the first priority. Use the necessary equipment to move your items to avoid injury and think your plan through before you even begin loading. Get the right size truck some help from your family and friends, get to packing and you will be finished in no time and be ready to move on to your new home.
2 Point Highlight
How to pack a moving truck will give you guidance when you load up for the move to your new home.
Moving day is full of excitement and safety should be the first priority.
