How To Pack A Moving Truck

You've decided to forego professional local movers and save some money on your move by doing it yourself. You've rented a moving truck and packed your belongings, now it's time to load the truck. You are not as experienced as professional movers in packing a rental truck, so it is advisable that your truck is large enough to accommodate 10-15% more than what you own. With moving, it is common to have more truck space than you anticipated. Make sure you have enough moving blankets on hand to wrap furniture for protection. Blankets are usually available for rent at the truck rental location. Whether it is a local move or a cross country move, everything has to be tight and secured in the truck. Remember that successful loading will make the unloading easier, and it will ensure the safety of your furniture and valuable items during drive time.

Always start loading at the front of the truck and work toward the back. Stock items from floor to ceiling just like you're playing a tetris game. Load the largest and heaviest items first on the floor against the front wall of the truck. This also includes appliances such as the washers, dryers, refrigerators and freezers. Sofas may be placed vertically on their ends to achieve a tightly loaded truck. Do not place any item in the truck upside down or on its side. Make sure to keep the balance by placing heavy objects on both sides of the truck.

Remove drawers before moving dressers and cabinets. Once these items are on the truck, replace the drawers back, so they aren't damaged while the truck is in transit. You don't need to empty the drawers, but you should pack all fragile items. Use bagged pillows, towels and sofa cushions to fill all gaps and spaces around fragile items for extra protection.

If you have a piano or other extremely large items, use a four-wheel dolly or hand truck. Don't place them in the middle of the truck, those items must be tied to the side wall of the truck.

Next load your largest and heaviest boxes on top of the appliances and furniture. Make sure that you pack them tightly, and then continue to load the truck with lighter boxes, ending with the fragile boxes on very top, ensuring that they will not move during transit.

Place box springs, mattresses, long mirrors, headboards, sofas and table-tops against the longest walls of the truck which will keep them upright and will save space. Slide mirrors, glass table tops and large pictures in between mattresses.

To ensure safer transportation, it may be necessary to disassemble some furniture, such as removing legs from tables, taking apart press wood and particle board furniture. You may also want to disassemble bed frames and remove glass shelves from bookcases.

Drain all gasoline and oil from lawnmowers, weed eaters, chain saws and other motor equipment. Disconnect all batteries. Empty propane tanks from barbeque grill. If for some reason you do not have a full truck load, secure the back of your shipment with straps or ropes to keep the load from sliding.