You are probably wondering why you can’t just place everything in your truck however you please. I can do what I want! What could possibly go wrong? Well, believe it or not, there really is a right way to load a truck. If you choose the right way to load your truck, your valuable possessions will remain safe, you’ll save time, unloading will be easier and your move will be a success. Choose the wrong way and your move could end in disaster. Broken furniture, smashed breakables a ripped mattress, total anarchy…well, you get the idea. So, what is the right way to load a truck and where do you start? Here are some important things to remember to help you get started loading the truck the right way:

1. Make a Plan Before You Start

Like everything else in the world of moving, storage, and just staying organized in general, it is important to make a plan before you start. Begin by taking inventory of what you will be moving, what you will do, and where things will go in the truck before you begin moving anything. Making a plan before you start will ensure that everything is loaded in its proper order and your move stays organized. It will save you a lot of time and effort in the end.

2. Label Everything

Place a label on each moving box before you load it into the truck. The label should include the contents of the box as well as well as the location where it will be placed. This will help make unloading a breeze by ensuring that everything is placed exactly where you want it when you arrive.

3. Park in the Right Spot

Park your truck so that there is a direct path from your home or storage unit to the back of the moving truck. While this isn’t always possible, try to keep the route as straight as possible.  This will lower the risk of damage to your property and injury to yourself.

4. Load Large Items First

  • Always start from the front of the truck (closest to the cab) and put heavier items lowest on the truck with lighter items on top.
  • Start with the biggest and heaviest items such as appliances and mattresses, followed by bookcases, sofas, chairs, and other large furniture. Placing the bulkiest items on the truck first will help you to fit all of your belongings.
  • Cover all of your furniture with Protective Coverings. You can use moving pads provided by the truck rental company or your own sheets and blankets for this. Sofas and chairs should be covered with stretch wrap and mattresses placed in a mattress box or bag. This will protect your furniture against scratches, stains, punctures, or other unnecessary wear.
  •  Be careful not to scoot or drag items into the truck because you may damage furniture legs or bottoms.
  • Furniture with drawers can be placed against your mattresses on the side of the truck so that the drawers won’t slide out and for further protection.
  • Wrap your TV in blankets or shrink-wrap and be sure to keep your television upright during transit to avoid damaging the screen.

5. Pack Tightly

  • Pack everything into the truck as tightly as possible. This will make sure that everything stays in one place during transit. Think of packing the truck as a game of Tetris.  Things need to fit tightly, but not forcefully. You can also fill any gaps between items with blankets to keep items from shifting in transit.
  • Load fragile items on top and remember to properly secure them. The space above the rental truck’s cab is ideal for placing fragile items.
  • Disassemble bed frames and tape them together along with other long items. You can often place longer items inside of a taped roll of carpet for increased protection.

6. Use the right tools for the job

Some tools may cost extra to rent with the truck. This extra cost is minimal, however, compared to the time and effort they will save you. Make sure you have a dolly on hand to move larger items. You might even need a refrigerator dolly or four-wheeled dolly for the largest items such as appliances or a piano. You should also have straps or loading bars to secure your belongings to the truck if needed.

7. Don’t Transport or Store Hazardous Materials

Never store hazardous materials like paint or lacquer. Don’t forget to also drain the gasoline and oil from your lawnmower or other motored equipment, propane from your barbeque grill, and disconnect any batteries.

8. Safety First

Moving is hard work. Don’t make it any harder than it is, by injuring yourself. Keep safety in mind as you load your truck.