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Are you thinking of how to move house, or maybe dreaming of a new apartment or thinking about furnishing your new one?
If so, one of the highest priority tasks on your to-do list is packing a moving truck. Before you know it, you will need packing boxes, packing tape, and other storage bags.
It can undoubtedly be a daunting task, but there are some things that you can do to make the process a little easier. Packaging is an art of organizing that’s important to get right.
This guide will show you how to pack a moving truck, so it’s easier to keep track of everything and move your belongings efficiently.
1. Plan Ahead
You won’t be able to throw everything in haphazardly and expect it all to show up at your new place intact. So, make sure you plan for larger wooden furniture pieces first, then build around them with smaller items.
Also, ensure you label everything clearly on all sides before packing it in the truck. It’s more challenging to find things if you don’t label them, resulting in you digging through a pile of boxes. Make sure you also label boxes with fragile items differently so that the movers know to be more careful with those items.
Lastly, make sure there’s room for each person to access their own boxes if they need something from them during the drive. It would be best if you also considered where your pets would ride.
2. Get the right truck size for the job
If you’re packing up a whole house, you’ll need a giant truck than if you’re just moving some items out of an apartment. Keep in mind that it’s generally less costly to rent one large truck than two smaller ones. Consider renting a van if you’re only transporting a few boxes or furniture.
You need to know how much stuff you’re moving and how far you’re going. So, get estimates on the volume of things you need to move, and choose a truck of the appropriate size.
For example, if you’re moving to a one-room apartment, a 16-foot truck should be ample. For the contents of a three-bedroom house, it’s best to try a 26-foot truck.
3. Disassemble everything
Start with dissembling furniture like your bed frames, bookcases, and entertainment units. Even the simplest things like removing the chests of drawers from your dresser can make a huge difference when packing a moving truck. It will save you space and prevent breakage.
If you’ve got any pre-assembled furniture pack, consider returning it to its original packaging.
4. Recruit helping hands when you can
One of the people’s biggest mistakes when moving is doing it all by themselves. Yes, you might save a little money, but the longer it takes you to pack and load everything safely, the more likely you will get injured or damage your possessions.
It’s no secret that packing a rental truck for moving can be a time-consuming process. You might have to enlist some help from friends or family members to get the job done more quickly and efficiently. Unless you’re moving by yourself, you should be able to recruit at least one helper.
If you are local moving, chances are you can recruit some friends and family to help out. If you’re hiring movers, you can get a binding estimate beforehand to know exactly how many movers will be there.
5. Load your heaviest items first and lighten your load as you go
Load your most significant, heavy items and appliances first. You can put the sofa against one wall with the loveseat or recliner next to it.
Then, you can place the bed frame against another wall, facing diagonally. You can also set the box spring and mattress on top of it and lean it against the wall.
After this, make sure you load your washer and dryer items on top of each other in the front of the truck; these items are heavy, so stacking them will help keep them from shifting during transit.
Next, load any bulky but lighter items like pillows or linens into the spaces between more significant pieces of furniture. Also, don’t forget to keep boxes together according to their contents.
Once you’ve loaded all your large items, make sure to group boxes together by room or by the contents inside, depending on where they’ll go in your new home.
6. Use blankets or shrink wrap as protective furniture pads
You can also use sheets or towels to wrap around furniture legs to keep them from leaving scratches on other items or the walls of the moving truck.
Keep all of these items together so that they’ll be easy to find when you need them during the move. You can also use plastic wraps for other fragile items.
Final thoughts
To begin packing for your move, start by pre-planning to have a general idea of what you need to get done. Having a checklist or spreadsheet before unpacking boxes will allow you to be more strategic with the packing process.
However, if your moving process is not very straightforward and more difficult, it’s always better to hire professional movers and packers. They are known to provide you with the best assistance when relocating. Experts know how to transport your items with no damage.
While no two moves are identical, hopefully, this sample packing list has given you a clearer idea of what to keep in mind when planning out you’re packing and moving needs.
