How to Pack and Load Your Moving Truck
- Start packing well ahead of your move so you can pack a couple of cartons a day.
- Pack one room at a time. Label each carton with its destination (bedroom, garage, storage, etc.) before you seal it.
- Be sure that the bottoms of all your cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents. Packing Tape or gummed tape holds more securely than does masking tape. Pack heavier items towards the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight limit of 50lbs or less; it makes moving a lot easier.
- Make sure you have enough Wardrobe Boxes; you really don’t want to fold all of your hanger clothes. If the boxes still have some space, consider filling them with lightweight items like shoes, pillows and bedding items.
- Pack some clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases so the bureaus won’t be to heavy to move. Consider using clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes.
- For china use Dish Pack Boxes and place all plates on edge, layer Bubble Wrap in between. Wrap each glass or cup in a piece of bubble wrap and tape. Put a layer of packing material on bottom, sides and top.
- If you’ve collected lots of books over time, it’s a great time to reevaluate what you really want to keep. Never pack more than 30lbs of books in a box. Use Small Boxes and pack books flat so corners don’t bend.
- For prints, mirrors, artwork, glass, use Mirror Boxes and wrap in bubble wrap. Put tape across the front of the mirrors like an X to keep pieces in place in case the glass breaks. Fill the sides of boxes with packing material.
- Light and misc. items such as pillows, bedding, small appliances, toys, kitchen and bathroom items can be packed in Medium and Large Boxes. Pack your stereo, computer, VCR, etc. in their original boxes. If you do not have the original boxes, consider using an Electronics Box, or a TV box.
- Load furniture first and boxes last in the truck. It will make it easier when you unload at your storage space.
- Load your upholstered furniture early. It’s easier than fighting space with it later. Load on top of cardboard or soft material and wrap with blankets to protect upholstery from dirt.
- Build “tiers” from the floor to the ceiling of the truck using heavier pieces such as dressers, washers, dryers, etc. as your base. Load each side of your moving truck evenly and use Rope to tie off every few tiers. That will prevent you load from shifting every time the truck accelerates or brakes.
- Load and tie off your mattresses against the last tier. It’s a good way to secure your load. Use Mattress Covers to protect them from dirt.
- Disassemble as many items as possible in preparation for the move. Place parts in labeled sandwich bags and put in a drawer to be easily located.
- Odds and ends such as bicycles, lawn chairs, barbecues, etc. should be loaded last, cushioned away from the rest of the load. Bundle and tape long handled garden tools, mops, brooms, etc. together. Use your car for small items!
DON’T FORGET BOXES AND PACKING SUPPLIES!