To pack a moving truck and fit as much in it as possible, make sure you pick the right size truck for you and evenly distribute the weight.
Moving to a new home, or maybe even a new city or state
, can be exciting! However, it can also be expensive if you have to hire a professional mover to help you
. Doing it yourself can be much more affordable, but you need to know how to pack a moving truck efficiently if you want to fit more stuff and make fewer trips. Here's how to do it.
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The best way to pack a moving truck to pack a moving truck
Pick the right truck sized truck
One of the most important things right out the gate is determining the size of the moving truck you should rent. It would be horrible to find out it was too small after you’ve begun loading it up. Even if you can make numerous trips, the time and gas it takes could easily add up to more than the cost of renting a larger truck in the first place.
Most truck rental places can help you estimate how big of a vehicle you will need based on the number of rooms and type of furniture you are moving. U-Haul
has a very informative chart that can help determine how much cubic feet you will need. Also, make sure the moving truck you rent has a loading ramp. It makes life a lot easier! Tip: Make sure the truck’s ramp is clean and dry, as well as fully latched to reduce the risk of slipping and falling.
MORE: How much should you tip your movers?
Use plenty of packing supplies
To avoid multiple trips to the store, be ready to pack before you begin. This includes having all the supplies you need on hand. You may have already thought to get boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and packing paper, but there are other things needed for a successful move.
For example, if you're moving heavy or delicate furniture
, a dolly will be essential. Other pieces, like a pool table
, may require special considerations as well. Furniture pads and blankets will assist in protecting your stuff during the move. Items get jostled around when moving and your belongings can get damaged.
See if the moving company offers furniture straps. Securing your large furniture will prevent the pieces from shifting during the move.
MORE: How to settle into a new house
Prepare your stuff for the move
On moving day, you want all your items packed and ready to go. Besides packing your smaller items in boxes, you also need to prepare your furniture for the move.
For example, empty all your dresser drawers and pack your clothes. It will make the dresser lighter and it will be easier to load. Also, disassemble any furniture that you can. An example of this would be your bed frame. You should remove your headboard and take apart the sideboards to allow more flexibility in the space they will require in the moving truck.
If you're moving a refrigerator or freezer, prepare in plenty of time for you to clean out all contents and let it thaw if needed.
How to load a moving truck
Now that you have everything ready for the move, it's time to pack the truck. You want to start by loading the heaviest and larger items first, keeping in mind you want the weight evenly distributed. Items that would qualify as large or heavy furniture include dining tables, coffee tables, chairs, couches, mattresses, refrigerators, bed frames, and washers and dryers.
To prevent possible shifting of furniture items, try to place items in an upright position. Once you have all the heavy things packed, you should load the smaller boxes and lighter items. You can fit them in and around the larger items.
Place your fragile items on top of everything else, securing them so they don’t fall. Or better yet, put them in the cab with you. This is the best option for important documents, too.
Tip: Ask your friends for help
, especially with the heavier items.
Don’t let the thought of packing a moving truck take the excitement out of the big day! These tips can help the day go smoothly and allow you to fit more stuff.
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