packing moving truck

Everyone can load a moving truck. But do you know how to load a moving truck properly? The key is to maximize the space and at the same time minimize any possible damage to your items. That makes this task a little trickier than it may seem initially. To make this task much easier, here are some tips on the proper way of loading a moving truck.

When organizing your next move, there are several truck rental businesses to select from. Make sure to select the option that best suits your demands and budget. Penske, Enterprise, U-Haul, and Budget are a few truck rental companies to take into account.

Movers Corp has you covered if you still prefer the assistance of moving specialists. Check out our vast network of trustworthy and dependable movers.

First thing you should do

Start by getting rid of the broken and unused items, save the packing materials for when you really need them, and distribute the weight as evenly as you can from front to rear and side to side.

Get Supplies and equipment

Make sure to collect all moving supplies before starting to load. You will need a dolly to help load big pieces and furniture pads or blankets to give extra protection, in addition to boxes, plastic wrap, and packing tape. Make sure every item has been packed carefully and with lots of protection before loading a moving vehicle.

Lay out protection

Before you worry about how to pack a moving truck properly, a tarp or a plastic wrap must first be lain out on the floor of the moving trailer. This shall serve as protection for your possessions. The layer of tarp or plastic on the floor can protect your stuff from dust, dirt, scratches, or whatever possible damage may come in the process of moving.

Disassemble large furniture

Before starting to load your furniture onto a moving truck, disassemble it. This will help you make the most of your space and appropriately disperse the weight of any heavy furniture. This will make more room for your goods and allow you to distribute the weight of the table legs across a wider area of the truck.

Start with the heaviest and largest items first

In order to maximize the space available in the moving truck, it is a must that you start loading the heaviest and biggest items first. By putting the heaviest items out in the front of the truck, you also prevent the vehicle from dragging a back that is simply too heavy. And that can create an even more troublesome situation.

Among the heaviest items include the appliances. Your fridge, stove, washing machine, dishwasher and other heavy items must go in first. When you are loading these items, it is best to keep them in an upright position. Make sure to balance the weight as well. For instance, if you have both a washer and a dryer, place them opposite each other.

The next item that should be on your list includes the pieces of furniture. The chairs in the living room, the sofa and the rest of your entertainment unit shall go next. Keep in mind that the heaviest items should be on the bottom. Pack the items from the floor to the ceiling. Once you are finished with each layer, use a strap and wrap it around the items to hold them steady.

Protect the furniture

Having plastic wrap on the floor is not enough protection. It is a must that you use paper padding or moving blankets to protect the appliances and pieces of furniture, especially in the process of putting one on top of another. Surround the items with cushions. You can also use your mattress and place it in between the items. A box spring may also prove useful.

To save more money buying paper padding, use your blankets and sheets. Towels and linens may also be used for this purpose.

Place the long items against the walls of the truck

The long items including long mirrors, headboards and table tops should be placed against the longest walls of the moving trailer. Load and put them in an upright position. Once you are done, secure the stuff to the side of the trailer. As mentioned previously, long items such as mattresses and box springs may also serve as cushions for appliances and furniture pieces.

Load the boxes

When you are done placing the heaviest, largest, and longest items in position, you can now take the boxes. Again, start with the heaviest to the medium weight to the lightest of the boxes from the floor to the ceiling. Ultimately, the key to how to load a moving truck properly is proper space management.

Loading Art and Antiques

When performing a DIY move, careful planning and close attention to detail are required when carrying art and antiques onto a moving truck. Make sure you have a clear plan in place for how you will load and secure your stuff before you start loading. To minimize shifting during transportation, this can entail arranging your items in a particular order or layout and securing them with straps or ropes.

Loading everything else

There are things in your house that aren’t shaped to stack. These items will fill up the spaces that boxes and furniture left behind. Some household items are still missing, even though the majority of your larger stuff has previously been packed. Unusual-shaped goods can be secured in place by being tucked around furniture or other boxes.

To reduce the chance of crushing, lighter things and fragile items should be positioned last. Place any necessities you’ll need right away in the back of the truck so you can get to them quickly when it’s time to unpack. Use moving straps, plastic wrap, or packing tape to fasten everything before you leave so that nothing can move while you’re traveling.

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Written by Margarita Hakobyan
Margarita Hakobyan is the founder and CEO of MoversCorp.com. She has published more than 300 articles about moving, storage, and home organizing, making her a moving specialist since she began writing about the moving industry in 2005. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter.