One of the main concerns while moving to a new house is ensuring the safety of your belongings. To keep your valuable items free from any damage, you need to know how to pack a moving truck in the right way; especially if you are managing the move on your own.
On top of that, you need to make the best use of the available space and ensure even load distribution for the right balance.
Does that sound complex?
If so, then this quick guide on how to pack a moving truck will point you in the right direction.
The Power of Agoyu
The first step for packing a moving truck is determining the size of the moving truck needed. This is where the Agoyu app can work its magic and help you determine the weight and total size of your shipment. The AI-based tool can analyze a video of your belongings to create an exact item list along with an accurate weight and size estimate.
Not only is the app quick and easy to use, it is free. With Agoyu, determining the right truck size for your move is easier than ever. In addition, the app can also let you know the cost of a moving truck and help you compare movers.
1. Gather Your Packing Supplies
You do not need a few moving supplies while packing for a move. You need a lot.
The list includes boxes of various sizes, packing tape, scissors, a knife, masking tape, permanent marker, bubble wrap, and plastic bags. Beyond that, additional materials like shrink wraps, blankets, and tie-down straps will be needed for loading.
The number of boxes and other packing supplies required will vary, depending on the volume of items. It is better to have more packing supplies that you may need. Falling short of boxes or straps while loading a moving truck is not what you want.
Once you have the essential packing items ready, the cumbersome task of packing and loading becomes easier. Just play your favorite music and start the task.
2. Disassemble Large and Bulky Furniture
Packing a moving truck involves the optimization of space. Having the larger furniture disassembled is a good way to fit them in and prevent any damage during the move. In many cases, the furniture might be too large to fit in the packing truck or pass through the doors of your new home.
However, you need the right tools and proper techniques for assembling and disassembling furniture successfully.
To start with, identify the furniture that needs to be disassembled and measure the dimensions of the individual pieces. Next, take the help of the furniture disassembly manual to locate the disassembly points. Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools at hand.
Strictly speaking, handling large furniture on your own is not the best idea. Chances are, some of the disassembly steps will require two pairs of hands to ensure safety. As you proceed, keep an inventory of all the hardware like screws, and bolts. Store them in a plastic bag and label it to ensure a smooth reassembly.
3. Load Heaviest Items First
The best way to pack a moving truck is to load the heaviest items first. These objects include refrigerators, bed frames, washer/dryers, couches, chairs, etc. Being large and gravy, they should be placed on the floor of the truck and against the walls to ensure stability. That way, they will not fall on top of the smaller items’ boxes.
Make sure to lay an old moving blanket or a tarp on the truck floor before loading. This will protect the items from dirt and dust.
Once the heavy items are loaded, you can use medium-weight objects to fill up the rest of the space. If you have packed glasses for moving, you do not want them to get damaged by the heavier items. So, load the fragile items last and place them on top of heavy furniture and appliances.
Move the heavier items towards the front of the truck. That way, once you finish loading them, understanding how much space is left in the truck becomes much easier. To save space, you can place the couches and tables vertically instead of horizontally.
Note, that the weight distribution across the truck floor should be uniform. This will make controlling the vehicle easier and the ride smoother.
4. Use Furniture Pads and Blankets
No matter how you distribute the various items on the truck floor, there will be gaps between objects of different shapes and sizes. This increases the chance of heavier items shifting around and damaging the lighter ones.
The best way to prevent this is by using furniture pads and moving blankets to fill the gaps and add cushioning. Blankets will also protect your costly furniture from dust and grime.
Besides, blankets can effectively secure adjustable furniture parts like drawers that may fall off during the move. However, you will need rubber bands and stretch wraps to hold the blankets in place. The other option is to use tape to keep them in place.
Blankets made from a blend of cotton and polyester offer better padding. Also, they are more durable and can be washed for reuse. After the move, you can use these as yoga mats, vehicle seat covers for pets, or beach blankets.
5. Secure Items with Straps and Tie Downs
Imagine your valuable belongings moving around and falling over each other during the move. That is a disaster!
Moreover, heavy cargo shifting around in a loaded moving truck can cause the vehicle to roll over. Securing the items with straps is the best way to prevent this. Plus, tying down the cargo also helps to make the best use of the interior space of the truck.
Ratchet straps or cargo tie-down straps are the best way to secure your items during the move. The ratcheting mechanism ensures precise tightening and can be useful in securing items like rugs that are prone to rolling.
Ratchet tie-down straps have excellent versatility as well. You can use these workhorses to tie down loads of various shapes and their high breaking strength makes them ideal for tying down heavy loads.
Ideally, you should use one tow-down for items within 5 feet in length. For items between 5 to 10 feet in length and weighing over 1,100 lbs, use two tie-downs. In case you are unsure, exercise caution and add an extra tie-down.
How to Pack a Moving Truck: FAQs
What do you pack first in a moving truck?
The first items to be loaded on a packing truck are the heavier items like furniture and refrigerators. Place these items against the wall and secure them with straps to ensure stability.
What can’t be packed in a moving truck?
Flammable and explosive materials and corrosive chemicals should not be packed in a moving truck. These include car batteries, pesticides, and ammunition. Environmentally unfriendly items should not be loaded in the truck either.
Do not pack valuable personal items and documents inside a truck. It is best to avoid packing perishable food items and open food as this can attract rodents.
Final Thoughts
Initially, packing a moving truck may seem like a daunting DIY task. However, once you know the fundamentals of how to pack a moving truck, it gets easier. By making use of the packing and moving tips from pros, you can prevent the process of moving from becoming an overwhelming experience.
If you are loading the truck on your own, do not be in a rush to finish the task. Take your time, use the right lifting techniques, and ensure that the truck is loaded correctly.
Lastly, do not hesitate to contact your friends or family for help with loading a moving truck. Trying to do everything alone will take a long time. Even worse, you might injure yourself while lifting heavy items.
