How to pack a moving truck

When renting a moving truck, people get really excited and overwhelmed with its size, thinking they’ll be able to put everything they have in it and even have some extra space left.

The unfortunate surprise strikes them when they actually start filling the truck up. The space they’ve considered too big shrinks sooner than they expect.

And, the last possessions are often shoved into the truck ‘just to fit it in’.

When professional movers step into the game, the process looks much easier than it really is.

Unfortunately, most people have to experience all the struggles on their own.

And that’s where all the excitement related to moving to a new place with new opportunities fades drastically.

But, a little bit of planning and neat, orderly loading solves the problem, saves you a ton of truck space and, quite importantly, ensures that the stuff you’re going to transfer will make the trip successfully, without any damages.

So, let’s improve our moving truck loading tetris skills to make your hectic moving process at least a little bit more effective and organized.

Hope the tips given below will help you. Good luck with your move!

Tips on loading a moving truck

Loading heavy/bulky items onto the truck

Just like people can’t decide for sure whether the chicken or the egg came first, movers can’t decide whether you’re supposed to put the heaviest possessions into the truck first or last.

Some clever movers even came up with the “I-shape” complexion, when you’re supposed to load the weightiest things (like washer, drier, fridge, etc.) closer to the truck’s front and arrange other heavy items to create the “I shape” and leave some space near the truck’s side walls.

That’s just too much for me. I suggest that you should follow these basic rules when it comes to loading your heavy possessions and things packed into large boxes:

1. It’s better to pack up as much as possible into boxes/storage bins of the same/similar size to be able to stack them in the truck and fill the space from its floor to ceiling.
   This is how you’ll make the full use of that giant moving beast.
2. Lighter boxes/items should go on top of the heavier ones. Go to Uhaul.com to figure out the best ways to pack your moving boxes.
3. Follow the golden rule of spreading the weight as evenly as possible.
4. Cover your home appliances with bubble wrap if you didn’t manage to find cardboard package for them.
   Make sure to secure them with the help of special moving supplies – tie-downs/straps.
   They won’t let them move around the truck, eliminating most of the typical moving damage.
5. Use those tie-downs to secure each row of the boxes as well.
6. You can totally move some pieces of furniture without taking them apart. Just locate them in the truck the way that you may put a couple of boxes or other smaller things under/on top of them. We’re still playing live Tetris here, remember?
7. Add something in between two wooden pieces of furniture. This way they won’t rub against each other during the move, which will save their surface from unfortunate scratches and more serious damage.
8. Mattresses belong to the sides of the moving truck. Just protect them from getting dirty using a pair of old sheets or plastic wrap. Secure them to the side of the truck vertically.
   
9. Take your beds, shelving units and dining tables apart. Place their details near the mattresses.
10. Couches and big chairs belong to the other side of the truck or to its back. Remember that they require proper dust protection.
    Place your chairs on top of the couch with their legs upside down. Don’t forget to secure them to the couch with rope or moving tie-downs.

Additional moving truck loading tips

1. Cover the truck’s floor with a plastic sheet to decrease the amount of dust that’s going to appear on your possessions.
2. Don’t leave too much space between different items. If you notice a blank spot, don’t hesitate to fill it with a random thing you didn’t manage to find the place for.
3. Rug rolls, packed up comforters, pillows, blankets may serve as those gap fillers.
4. Don’t spare bubble wrap while packing fragile items. Or, use other things (like clothes and various fabric items) you’re going to bring to your new home instead of it.
5. Ensure the best protection to your mirrors and other flat fragile items by placing them between the matrasses or wrapping a comforter/blanket around them.
6. Use reliable padding to protect your stuff (mattresses and wooden furniture in particular) from the truck’s walls.
7. Lift weighty items cautiously not to pull your back. Don’t lift/put down things with your back. Bend your legs and hands instead.
8. Go to HireRush.com to leave a moving request or call/message reliable movers in your local area to receive that much-needed professional assistance. Leave your request now
9. Don’t lift full dressers. But don’t empty them as well, as that would be the most useless waste of space.
   Remove the drawers to load the actual dresser onto the truck and insert them back right on spot.
   Use duct tape to secure the drawers and prevent them from sliding out.
10. Pack a couple of boxes with items you won’t be able to survive without during the first post-move days and load them closer to the end of the truck.
11. The ‘valuables’ box, as well as one necessity bin with a couple of outfits prepared for each member of your family should travel to the spot with you in your car.