How to Load and Pack Rental Moving Trucks Yourself

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Moving Tips
How to load a moving truck

If you are moving yourself, renting a moving van is going to be one of the most important tasks. Renting a moving truck seems too simple, but if you're not cautious, it can be costly and unproductive.
Rental Trucks


For do-it-yourself movers arriving at a new home is a big relief, but don't underestimate unloading and unpacking process. Unloading and unpacking of goods are no way easier than loading and moving them.
Unloading and Unpacking Tips


You may have heard the term "moving labor services", but you may not be familiar with what exactly it means. The simple explanation for moving labor is movers without the truck. This service is a good option for help in loading and unloading of rental trucks and storage containers.
Moving Labor Tips


Moving can be the beginning of a wonderful family journey, but it can also provide difficulties. Make your next move simpler by using the following advice, and you'll be able to concentrate on the interesting possibilities that await you in your new home.
Making The Military Move Easier


Your kids could be really anxious about the relocation, even if you've recently decided to move to the finest US city for raising a family or have any other reasons.
How Moving Affect Children


When requesting quotes and evaluating the services of moving companies, it's critical to know what questions to ask. Here are some things to ask a moving company in order to pick one that best suits your particular requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers


You might wonder what exactly portable storage containers are. These are containers with a hardwood interior and an outside made of a steel frame. Frequently described as being a hybrid between a moving truck and a storage container.
Moving With Portable Storage Containers


Interstate moving businesses are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to provide a binding or non-binding quote at the time of booking. The estimated cost of the move, however, cannot be guaranteed because it is not a binding agreement.
What to Know About Moving Quotes


Discover helpful tips and recommendations on how to make the most of your storage space. Learn the best way to pack stuff into a storage unit and make sure your items are protected during the time they are being stored.
How To Pack a Storage Unit


Learn the best tricks for packing a moving container. Get expert advice on how to maximize space and pack efficiently with our helpful guide.
Tips For Packing a Moving Container


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How to Load a Moving Truck Like Professional Movers


loading moving truck

You've decided to forego professional movers and save some money on your move by doing it yourself. You've rented a moving truck and packed your belongings, now it's time to load the truck. Remember, loading moving trucks is not an easy job. Loading trucks require multitasking. You are not as experienced as professional movers in packing a rental truck, so it is advisable that your truck is large enough to accommodate 10-15% more than what you own.

When it comes to loading a moving truck, a little planning goes a long way. Whether it's a local or long distance move, it is important to pack the moving truck like experienced movers to ensure that your belongings arrive at their destination safely and securely. Moving day is stressful, so perform a walk-through of your home a day or two beforehand and make a list of the order in which objects should be loaded.

Having trouble loading a moving truck? From placing furniture to using moving supplies, there are several ways to maximize the space in the truck's back. You can avoid making multiple travels back and forth between homes by making good and efficient use of this area.

With some helpful moving tips, you can efficiently and safely pack a moving truck. The key is to start early and stay organized. These tips will show you how to load a moving truck and ensure your items secure during your move.


Pick a Right Size Truck

Make sure you choose a truck that meets your requirements, is the appropriate size, and enables you to load all of your stuff without having to fill the truck again. The efficiency of your move is your main concern, so think about the amount of truck you'll need for your belongings. Measurements should be provided for comparison on moving truck websites.

Reserve a rental truck for the day of your relocation at least a month in advance. Most truck rental businesses provide a variety of sizes, ranging from modest cargo vans to larger 26 ft. trucks. Avoid, at all costs, selecting a truck that is inadequate for your things.


Rent Moving Blankets

One of the key components of loading a moving truck like a pro is to use the right packing supplies With moving, it is common to have more truck space than you anticipated. Make sure you have enough moving blankets on hand to wrap furniture for protection. Blankets are usually available for rent at the truck rental location. Whether it is a local move or a cross-country move, everything has to be tight and secured in the truck. Remember that successful loading will make the unloading easier, and it will ensure the safety of your furniture and valuable items during drive time.


Disassemble Furniture

Furniture moving can be challenging, but by disassembling large pieces and wrapping them with furniture pads, you can make the process smoother and safer. To ensure safer transportation, it may be necessary to disassemble some furniture, such as removing legs from tables, and taking apart press wood and particle board furniture. You may also want to disassemble bed frames and remove glass shelves from bookcases.

It takes up a lot of room on a truck to transport furniture. Ensure that all furniture is taken apart and disassembled to conserve space. The truck's inside capacity should be maximized, and the weight of heavy furniture should be dispersed more evenly as a result. To keep drawers and doors shut on heavy furniture, use plastic wrap to secure them in place and prevent them from swinging open and causing damage.


Get Help

Before moving, seek the assistance of friends and family to assist with loading and unloading. Lifting and carrying large furniture and other items by yourself is never a smart idea. You run the risk of hurting yourself and damaging your property. The moving job will go much more quickly if friends and family are there to assist.

If your friends and family are not available to help you, you may hire moving labor to help you load a truck through our website.


Start Loading

Load Largest and Heaviest Items First

Knowing how to pack a moving truck properly will help to avoid damages during transport. Always begin loading at the front of the truck and work toward the back. Packing a moving truck requires heavy lifting. Stock items from floor to ceiling, just like you're playing a Tetris game. Load the largest and heaviest items first on the floor against the front wall of the truck.

This also includes appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and freezers. Sofas may be placed vertically on their ends to achieve a tightly loaded truck. Do not place any item in the truck upside down or on its side. Make sure to keep the balance by placing heavy objects on both sides of the truck.

Remove drawers before moving dressers and cabinets. Once these items are on the truck, replace the drawers back, so they aren't damaged while the truck is in transit. You don't need to empty the drawers, but you should pack all fragile items. Use bagged pillows, towels and sofa cushions to fill all gaps and spaces around fragile items for extra protection.

If you have a piano or other extremely large items, use a four-wheel dolly or hand truck. Don't place them in the middle of the truck, those items must be strapped to the sidewall of the truck.


Load Lighter Items Next

Start loading the medium to lightweight objects at this point. Any moving boxes and smaller furniture pieces fall under this category. Before being placed onto the truck, pictures, mirrors, and TVs must be adequately safeguarded. Important documents may also need to be packed individually.

Lighter things should be loaded onto the moving truck on top of furniture and appliances, rather than underneath where they could be smashed. Finally, remember to pack your overnight bag and moving day necessities in a convenient location on the truck.


Load Boxes

Next, load your largest boxes on top of the appliances and furniture. Moving boxes should ideally weigh no more than 50 pounds. Make sure that you pack them tightly, and then continue to load the truck with lighter boxes, ending with the fragile boxes on the very top, ensuring that they will not move during transit.

Heavy boxes should be placed at the bottom as base to prevent them from crushing lighter boxes or toppling over during transport. Place box springs, mattresses, long mirrors, headboards, sofas and table-tops against the longest walls of the truck, which will keep them upright and will save space. Slide mirrors, glass tabletops, and large pictures in between mattresses.


Fragile and Oddly Shaped Items

Items that are fragile or oddly shaped should be placed last. Ensure that they don't move during transportation. The space under desks, chairs, and tables are the greatest places to store fragile boxed items.

Bags of clothing, linens, blankets, and towels should be the final items to be loaded because they can be pushed into holes and don't include anything fragile. To fill empty spaces, use hangers, garage things, boots, shoes, and anything else that won't break during a relocation. Use furniture pads and blankets to cover and protect your furniture from dents, scratches, and other damage during the move.


Do Not Load Everything

If possible, avoid transporting anything hazardous. Most moving companies won't do it. Even so, you might want to think about leaving something off the truck, even if it isn't necessarily hazardous.

Drain all gasoline and oil from lawnmowers, weed eaters, chain saws and other engine operated equipment. Disconnect all batteries. Empty propane tanks from barbecue grill.

Secure the back of your truck with straps or ropes to keep the load from sliding. It will also secure the truck load and prevent items from shifting during transport.


Can You Hire Helpers to Load and Unload a Truck For You?

Yes, you can definitely hire helpers to load and unload a truck for you. MoversCorp is a platform that can connect you with a network of professional movers and helpers who can assist you with your move. We cover all major areas and provide moving services at an hourly rate for people who need extra help with their moving process. Our network includes experienced and reliable moving professionals who can help with packing, loading, and unloading. By hiring helpers through MoversCorp, you can ensure a safe and efficient move without breaking the bank. Simply tell us your moving needs and we'll provide you with a list of verified movers who are available to assist you.


Truck Loading Help in Popular Cities


Margarita Hakobyan

About the Author:

Margarita Hakobyan is the founder and CEO of MoversCorp.com. She has published more than 300 articles about moving, storage, and home organizing, making her a moving specialist since she began writing about the moving industry in 2005.

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