How to Pack a Moving Truck – Learn to Load Everything Like a Pro

Determining the Right Size Truck for Long-Distance Moving

The size of the truck you need depends on the number of belongings and the size of your home. For example, moving out of a four-bedroom home typically requires a large truck. These bigger trucks are usually 22 to 26 feet long and can carry up to 10,000 pounds, making them ideal for transporting a larger volume of items. When planning your move, it’s important to consider the cost of renting such a truck, as rental prices can range from $60 to $100 per day, including mileage.

Prepare the Loading Spot Before the Auto Transport Company Arrives

“Before anything else, preparation is key to success,” Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the first telephone, once put it. It’s no different when it comes to relocation. If you decided not to hire movers and invest in long-distance moving services, but to handle it all alone or with a little help from your friends, the first thing to do is obvious – rent a truck.

You should also get equipment such as a ramp and a dolly. You have to admit that it is a lot more appealing to haul crates on wheels than to carry full weight from the house to the cargo hold. You may buy the dolly, but it can also be rented from specialized companies and stores.

Pack Smartly and Consider Hiring Professionals

Another staple of excellent preparation is packing the cargo hold properly. When stacking items, you should make sure that every box is well-balanced. That way, both carrying and loading crates will be easier for you and safer for the stuff inside. Choosing the best-sized boxes will be very significant for that purpose, as well.

However, keep in mind that taking on a move entirely by yourself comes with its own set of challenges, from packing efficiently to navigating the logistics of transporting the belongings safely. That’s where Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving comes in. By hiring cross-country movers, you can save time, reduce stress, and avoid the heavy lifting altogether.

Essential Packing Materials for a Successful Move

To efficiently pack a moving truck, you’ll need different packing materials to protect your belongings and maximize space. Here are the essentials:

• Sturdy moving boxes: Different sizes for various items, such as books, clothing, and kitchenware.
• Bubble wrap and packing paper: Ideal for wrapping fragile items like dishes, glassware, and electronics.
• Moving blankets: Protect larger items from scratches, dents, and other damages.
• Packing tape: Securely seals boxes to keep your items safe during transport.
• Markers or stickers: For labeling boxes, making unpacking more organized and efficient.
• Stretch wrap: Bundles items together and protects furniture from dust and damage.
• Mattress bags: Keeps mattresses clean and protected during the move.

While gathering all these materials and packing everything yourself is possible, it’s a time-consuming and often stressful process. According to Zillow, it’s one of the most stressful events in life. That’s why many people choose to leave it to the professionals and their packing services.

Tip of the Day – Load the Heaviest Boxes First

So, the day has come, the parking spot in front of your house is cleared, and the car shipping company has left the truck door wide open and ready for loading. The first general advice we can give is that the heavier stuff should always be loaded first, and placed at the bottom of the vehicle.

Not only will the entire structure made of stacked boxes be more stable when built on a solid foundation, but the risk of anything light and fragile being squashed by, say, a full oak desk will be mostly eliminated. Still, packing up the cargo hold should be done in a more specific order so that everything arrives at the destination safe and sound.

The Order of Packing or How to Pack a Moving Truck?

To take the most out of the cargo hold, follow these simple rules. First, load the heaviest and the largest items, such as a refrigerator, washing machine, and stove. They all should be leaned against the cargo hold’s wall. Next should come pieces of furniture that couldn’t be disassembled, like sofas and armchairs. Longer objects should follow suit, laid along the cargo hold’s sides. And finally, it’s time for crates, heavier down, lighter up. Keep in mind that weight should be distributed as evenly as possible across the hold.

How to Pack a Moving Truck With Heavy Items

As we said before, the heaviest appliances should be packed first. Always keep them in an upright position, and be mindful of balance. Therefore, put a fridge in one corner, and a washing machine in the other.

Every house appliance should be secured in some way so that it stays in place and can also serve as a shelf for a box or two. Large pieces such as couches and mattresses should also be put upright, as should all the furniture that can’t be taken apart. In the case of bookshelves and larger wardrobes, they can serve as additional space.

Disassemble Furniture for Easier Handling

Before the move, you should disassemble all pieces that can be disassembled. Remove legs from tables and chairs, take apart shelves, and disassemble bed frames. All parts should be put upright, with the legs of chairs and tables bound together.

As with appliances, make sure to secure every piece with some kind of cushioning to avoid damage. A useful tip is to remove drawers before loading and put them back in place once in the cargo area. Drawers may be taped shut to minimize the risk of them falling out during the trip. Rugs also go in upright, after being rolled up, with upside facing out.

Furniture is also a lot easier to carry and store when in parts, especially if you need to put it in a storage unit. The same goes for beds and shelves, but no less if you are moving a pool table.

Fragile Items Should Fill the Holes and Gaps

If boxes with books go to the bottom of the hold, and lighter items go on top, it is the job of the crates with more fragile items to fill the empty spaces. If you properly pack wine bottles, they can be perfect for filling the space between the crate carrying plates and the one with knives. If you have more knack for interior design, you may even load fragile stuff under some furniture piece. In that case, make sure that everything is well protected and secured from any potential mishap.

Make Your Move Easier With Long-Distance Movers

And there you go. With all the basics covered, you’ll stash away your belongings in no time. If you organize for moving properly, tasks such as packing and loading a moving truck will be a breeze. And even more so if you do it with friends. However, doing everything by yourself can still be overwhelming and exhausting. Cross-country moving is a big task, and it’s hard to manage it all on your own – from packing up your entire home to loading a truck and driving to a new destination.

That’s where Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving comes in. Let us take the stress out of your move with our expert services, so you don’t have to tackle it all by yourself. Contact us today for a quote, and let us make your move smooth and worry-free!