Moving day can be exciting, but stressful. The last thing you need to worry about during a move is whether your possessions will make it to your new home safely. If you aren’t hiring professional movers, these tips will help you pack your moving truck securely so that all your possessions arrive in one piece.
Plan ahead
Packing a moving truck is easier if you already have an idea where you want things to go. Spend a few minutes thinking about how you’ll arrange boxes, furniture, and other items for easy packing and unpacking.
Use moving boxes
Buy boxes that are made for moving. Unlike other boxes, moving boxes are sturdy enough to hold up throughout the moving process. Label each box with its contents. If a box has fragile items inside, or if it needs to go to a specific room in the new house, label it with those details as well.
Take furniture apart, if possible
Furniture is less likely to break in transit if it’s disassembled. Tape your pieces of furniture together so you’ll be able to reassemble them quickly later.
Wrap objects in padding
Wrap furniture pieces and other loose items in padding to protect them during the move. Focus on cushioning sharp corners and fragile items like mirrors in particular. Roll long, thin items like table legs into rugs to save space.
Put big, heavy items in the truck first
Load your biggest items – like refrigerators, sofas, and washing machines – into the moving truck first. Once you’ve got those in place, you can stack smaller items around them.
Keep the truck balanced
Try to distribute the weight of your possessions evenly in the moving truck. If you put a heavy appliance on one side of the truck, balance it out with another heavy item on the other side.
Secure your items with tie-downs
Prevent your possessions from shifting around in the back of the truck by tying them down. Use rope, bungee cords, or another type of tie-down to keep things in place. This is especially important for heavy or awkward items, like furniture and appliances.
Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier items
For maximum stability, your heaviest items should go on the floor of the truck. Put lighter boxes on top. If you put heavier items on top of lighter items, your possessions are more likely to shift around during transit or get crushed.
Load fragile items last
Protect your fragile items by loading them after everything else is packed up. That way, you’ll be able to find a secure nook for them in the truck.
Fill all the space in the truck
By the time you’re done packing the moving truck, there shouldn’t be any holes or space. Filling up the whole truck helps keep your things from moving around in transit. Stuff any gaps with non-breakable items like clothes, blankets, pillows, and towels.
Packing a moving truck doesn’t have to be difficult if you approach it the right way. Keep these tips in mind on moving day, and your stuff will arrive at your new home safe and sound.