I Am Moving Out!

Properly packing a moving truck is the key to keeping all your stuff safe and sound. Not doing so puts everything at risk of being damaged and may result in you furnishing your entire house with IKEA products and boxes. Using a few general packing tips can help save you the despair of opening a rental truck full of broken items and make sure everything arrives in the best possible condition.

1. Place heavier furnishings and appliances in the truck first, preferably against the front wall adjacent to the cab. This helps keep the weight centered along the entirety of the truck and decreases the chance of something heavy falling. Make sure that you balance the load in the truck. For example, if the washing machine is on the right side then place the dyer on the left. This will help keep the rig controllable while driving.
2. Long items are next to be loaded. These could include sofas, mattresses, and headboards among other items. They should be pushed up against the outer walls (or side walls) to best make use of the space and to better secure them with tie downs if necessary.
3. Lighter boxes or objects should be place on top of the heavier objects particularly if they’re not fragile.
4. Fragile items need to be packed with a certain care. It doesn’t matter so much if they’re packed high or low as long as they are secured and cannot move or fall. This is why in the case of dinner and glassware I suggest putting these items in a separate car if possible.
5. Anything that you don’t want scratched up needs to be covered with a blanket or surrounded by soft stuff. Things that could require covering may tables, night stands or any furnishing made of wood or stainless steel.
6. Flat breakable items, such as mirrors or portraits, should be fitted between two soft, flat objects. Generally, the best thing that fits this requirement would be your mattress and box spring.
7. Soft items, such as pillows, are great as fillers. Use these items to fill the gaps between items to ensure they don’t bounce around or fall.
8. Fill the space under tables, chairs or any other furnishings that create gaps. This will help stabilize the objects and be the most effective use of space that you can achieve.

I suggest, before even renting out the truck, that you plan ahead of time using these tips as guidance. It will make packing the truck easier and you won’t waste valuable moving time that could cost you in the end. Getting your belongings from point A to point B is important for your own mental well being and your pocket book, so make sure to load everything up the right way before leaving your old home behind.