Moving Tips: How To Load A Moving Truck Safely

1. Box Wall Tier

• Build layers from floor to ceiling, starting with boxes in first
• Plastic totes should be used as base of box walls, as their rigidity provides a solid foundation. 
•  Square furniture such as standing dressers can be supplemented into the base of box walls.
• Large appliances like fridges can also be worked into box walls at this stage.
• Keep like items together and fill in dead space between them as necessary with soft stuffable items (bags of clothing, pillows, sheets, etc.) or slender pieces like bedrails.

 

2. Mattress Tier

• Stand up mattresses against fully constructed box wall.
• Place fragile items like mirrors and framed art, or flat items like tabletops between neatly constructed box wall and mattress.
• Stand large flat items like headboards against mattress, then sandwich them in with box springs.
• Repeat sandwiching of mattresses and flat items until those furniture items are exhausted.
• We recommend using ratchet straps at the completion of this tier.

3. Large/Oversized Item Tier

• If truck's height permits, begin by standing couches up vertically. We like to start with putting the couches' feet on the side wall of the truck, and it's back against the mattress tier.
• If multiple couches need to be loaded, we recommend marrying them together while standing. (Positioned so that they interlock neatly together)
• Pack armoires, entertainment centers, large cabinets, etc. flat against mattress tier.
• All furniture items loaded must be packed parallel with the front and back walls of the truck. Items should never be loaded parallel to side walls of truck. Ratchet straps can only be secured to the rails along the sides of the truck, so keeping the direction of walls consistent and uniform helps ensure the ability to secure the load.
• Once all large/oversized furniture items have been exhausted, fill in dead space between them as necessary with soft stuffable items (bags of clothing, pillows, sheets, etc.) 
• We recommend using ratchet straps at the completion of this tier.

 

4. Standard Tier

• Dessers, buffets, nightstands, cabinets, bookshelves, and recliners can now be loaded.
• Interlock and stack smaller furniture items together as much as possible.
• Recliner chairs can be married together much like couches. (We recommend placing the first chair onto it's feet facing the sidewall, then flipping the second chair upside down into it, with it's back against the sidewall.
• Continue constructing walls with furniture, securing with ratchet straps as necessary.
• Chairs can be interlocked and nested together in moving pads to help create solid walls.

 

5. Junk Tier

• Once all furniture items that can be neatly packed have been exhausted, begin bringing in any and all "odds and ends"
• Pack them together as neatly as possible - this stage might not look as pristine as some of the previous tiers.
• Odd shaped or unstackable items like floor lamps, packed televisions, and bicycles can be ratchet strapped to the sidewalls at the end of the truck.

Packing for a move can seem daunting, but if you get started early, it can be much more manageable

-Start with packing items that you wont need on a daily basis first. This can be the bookshelf and other knickknacks as well as the garage and items that you will be fine without for a few weeks prior to your move

-Geting clsoer to your moving date, you can start to pack items in the kitchen you wont need, as well as you linen closet and clothes and shoes you wont need for the coming days

-Finally you can get into packing the last items, these can be things that you use on a daily basis, just make sure you have them labeled and tell the movers that you would like to access these items first in your new home

-Finally pack a small either backpack or luggage as well as sheets and toiletries  so when moving into your new home, you can have a small amount of packing that will get you settled for your first day in your new home.

Moving to a new home can be exciting, but it also comes with a lot of tedious preparation. Packing up your belongings in a moving truck can seem intimidating, but if you plan accordingly, it doesn’t have to be. Make sure to rent the right size moving truck for what you’re moving, and if possible, discuss moving options with moving professionals; they may have further insight about how best to organize your moving truck for safe storage. Start packing by loading couches first and heaviest items first; followed by box spring mattress frames and other large household items. Distribute weight evenly throughout the truck and double-check that items are securely balanced. Last but not least – don’t forget to secure everything down with moving straps or furniture pads! With these steps in mind, you’ll ensure your items will make it safely from point A to point B.