There is no fixed formula for packing a moving truck. Some experts prefer to load large items such as sofas first, others believe that you should load boxes first. At the end of the day, both strategies often work just fine.
What's important is being able to load every single item onto the truck without breaking anything or getting injured in the process. With that in mind, here are some vital steps you can follow to avoid costly mistakes during loading.
For ease of understanding, we have broken down this guide into four sections; supplies you need for the job, packing properly, actual loading, and staying safe.
Supplies you need
You'll need several tools and materials including;
- Tarp or plastic sheeting
- Moving straps
- Packing tape
- Mattress and furniture covers
- Work gloves
- Step-stool or small ladders
- Small stretch wrap and large stretch wrap
- Moving blankets and/or paper padding
- Rope, bungee cords, ratchet straps, or other types of tie-downs
- Filling items such as pillows, stuffed animals, clothes, and linen.
Packing properly
This is also called the pre-loading phase and is just as important as loading. If packing is done properly, there is an even greater chance of problem-free loading.
There are five important steps to observe;
- Pack everything you can into similar-sized moving-grade boxes. Moving boxes do the job better because they easily "square-off" which helps to maintain the integrity of the load.
- Ensure that all the boxes are labeled with their room location and content.
- For the remaining items such as upholstery furniture, wrap them in paper padding or furniture pads to protect them from punctures and soil.
- Disassemble entertainment centers, headboards, dresser mirrors, bed frames, and kitchen tables.
- Remove all screws, hardware, parts, etc from furniture and pack them in separate ziplock bags that can then be taped to the back of the furniture or stored inside a drawer.
Actual loading
One very important factor when loading is weight distribution. When weight is distributed evenly across the floor of a moving truck, both loading and unloading become easier. Also, the truck will become easier to control.
- Ensure you have a clear, obstacle-free path from the moving truck to the door of the house.
- Have one, preferably two people on the truck floor while others carry the items. These people will help with stacking and loading everything tightly.
- Boxes should be stacked from floor to ceiling with the heaviest ones at the bottom and the lightest ones at the top.
- Work on two or three tiers as you load. Only when one tier has reached as close as possible to the top of the truck should you begin the next.
- Create a flat surface with boxes to "square the load." This makes each level easier to stack.
- The items must be packed very tightly with any open spaces filled with fillers to avoid shifting in positions. Use ropes or straps to tie off each tier.
- Place the heaviest items against the walls to help distribute weight. For sofas and love seats, if the legs can't be removed, point them towards the truck walls.
- Cushions should be removed from the couch and wrapped separately in plastic bags.
- For cabinets, desks, dressers, etc, remove the drawers and their content, load the item onto the truck, then replace the drawers and secure them with self-adhesive plastic wrap.
- Loading the feet of an item directly on top of another finished item can dent or puncture the item. Avoid it. Also do NOT load furniture against the truck wall or onto other furniture without proper padding.
- Fragile and awkward shaped objects should be loaded last and secured tightly. Also, mark them as "fragile."
- Light-weight items such as rolled up rags, brooms, and plastic plants are put on top of other items. Heavier rags should be used to fill voids.
- Lawn mowers, weed eaters, and other gas operated items should rest on the truck floor, away from fabric and covered with tarp or plastic sheeting. Ensure to drain all the fuel from each item.
- Finally, use ratchet straps and ropes throughout the process to tightly secure the boxes and other items.
Stay safe
Amidst everything, apply best practices to ensure your safety and the safety of the others. Wear durable, supportive footwear, carry with your knees and not your back, avoid walking on slippery surfaces, and make sure you can see where you're walking. If you keep all these in mind, the loading process will be quick, easy, and fun.