How to Efficiently Load and Pack Your Moving Truck

Whether you received your dream job across the country or simply want to relocate to a new neighborhood in your current city, you may both relish and despise a move. You’ll enjoy this transition because it brings new adventures and exciting opportunities with it. Yet, you may abhor the process a little bit because you have so much to do in a limited time, especially when it comes to packing.

If you’ve ever packed a moving van or truck before, you know just how stressful and complex this particular moving step can be. In fact, if not done properly, you may not be able to fit all of your belongings into your moving vehicle-and you may have a more difficult time successfully completing your move.

Is there a way to make loading your moving truck easier? Below, we’ve given you the advice you need to make this seemingly impossible task a reality. Read on to discover just how easy it is to load and pack your moving truck.

Put Your Immediate-Need Items in the Cab or Your Car

When you finally arrive at your new home, you’ll want a few key items to use until you can fully unpack everything. The last thing you need during this transition is to tear open box after box looking for clean clothes or bath supplies.

As you pack before moving day, put about a week’s worth of clothes, including pajamas, work clothes, and recreational clothes, in a suitcase. You should also include toiletries like your toothbrush and toothpaste, makeup, deodorant, hair products, and shower products. If you’re moving long-distance and will be traveling for a few days, pack a few extra supplies for the journey

Have each member of your family take this step as well to ensure that everyone has everything they need when you arrive at your new abode.

On moving day, place these suitcases or duffle bags in the cab of your moving van or in your personal vehicle. You can then easily unload these items and place them in your and each family member’s rooms so you can easily access them until you unpack the rest of your belongings.

Acquire the Right Equipment and Materials

You may think loading and packing a moving truck is easy, and you’d partly be right. The process can be easy if you have the correct equipment and materials. Once you’ve reserved your truck rental, acquire the following items before you load up the vehicle:

• A dolly to help you move heavy items that can’t be lifted
• Paper padding to put inside boxes and in between items
• Plastic wrap to go around bulky items like furniture and appliances
• Straps, ropes, or bungee cords to keep items from moving around the van
• Tarps or old blankets to cover the floor of the van and prevent scratches on furniture
• Furniture and mattress covers to protect upholstery and cushions from getting dirty
• Heavy-duty gloves to keep your hands safe during the loading process

You may also want get help from friends and family on loading day. The more help you have, the easier it will be to pack up and organize your moving truck.

Disassemble Furniture

If you are able, take apart furniture like bed frames, lamps, tables, and chairs. You should also remove the cushions from couches and lounge chairs. This step makes carrying furniture between your home and moving truck easier. Additionally, it allows you to better organize these items into your truck.

Take Advantage of the Space

Some furniture, however, can provide extra space in your moving truck. For example, you can keep your dressers assembled and leave your clothing in the drawers. Simply remove the drawers from the dresser, move the dresser into the moving van, replace the dresser drawers, and put tape or plastic wrap on each drawer to keep it shut.

Likewise, you can remove all of your books from your bookshelves. Then, place the bookshelves in the van and place light boxes on each shelf.

Load the Largest and Heaviest Items First

Once you’re ready to pack up your moving truck, you’ll want to begin with the largest, longest, and heaviest items. This step ensures that you have enough room in your truck for everything. Load up mattresses, couches, and tables, lining the back and sides to evenly distribute the weight. Then, fill in the middle. Don’t forget to use padding or blankets between items to keep them safe during transit.

After you’ve packed these bulkier belongings, fill up the remaining space with boxes and bags. Place heavier boxes on the bottom and stack lighter boxes and bags on top. Continue these steps until you’ve filled the truck and have all of your items inside.

Use the tips above to efficiently pack up your moving truck. If you aren’t sure which size of truck will fit all of your belongings, consult our sizing guide, then make a reservation so you have your moving truck ready for moving day.