
All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Whether you’re embarking on a DIY move or enlisting the help of professional movers, efficiently loading your moving truck is a crucial step in the relocation process. From preparing and packing to strategically arranging your heaviest items, we cover the steps involved in packing a moving truck to maximize space and safeguard your belongings.
Preparing to Pack the Moving Truck
Below are a few steps to take before packing your moving truck to ensure a smooth and organized process.
Obtain Packing Supplies
Start by gathering all the moving supplies you’ll need to pack your belongings and protect them during transit, such as the following:
- Bubble wrap or packing paper
- Furniture pads or blankets
- Mattress covers or bags
- Moving boxes in various sizes
- Packing tape and scissors
- Plastic wrap
- Specialty boxes for TVs and other fragile items
Pack Your Belongings
To begin, browse the packing tips offered by interstate moving companies and storage experts to learn how to pack strategically. Here are a few tips:
- Use smaller boxes for heavier items to prevent them from becoming too heavy to lift.
- Pack boxes with heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top.
- Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper.
- Fill any empty space with linens, towels, or packing paper to prevent shifting during transit.
- Consider investing in specialty boxes, such as wardrobe boxes for packing clothes.
- Clearly label each box with its contents and the room where it belongs for easy unpacking.
- Mark heavy boxes or those with breakable items accordingly.
Disassemble Furniture
To maximize space and protect your furniture during transit, disassemble larger pieces as much as possible. Remove legs from tables, disassemble bed frames, and detach headboards. Keep all screws, nuts, and bolts in labeled bags to make reassembling furniture at your new location easier.
Rent the Right Size Truck
Choose a moving truck large enough to accommodate all your belongings without wasting space or risking damage. Here are a few common sizes to consider:
- 10-foot truck: Ideal for a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
- 15-foot truck: Suitable for a one-bedroom house or two-bedroom apartment.
- 20-foot truck: Perfect for a two-bedroom house or three-bedroom apartment.
- 26-foot truck: Recommended for a three- to four-bedroom home.
Assess the size of your move and consult with a truck rental company to determine the best option for your needs. Many companies, including U-Haul, have convenient sizing guides posted on their websites.
Enlist Moving Help
For heavy furniture and appliances, enlist the help of family and friends. Alternatively, hire local or long-distance movers to handle the heavy lifting and save yourself time, effort, and potential injuries. Their expertise will ensure that these items are properly handled and safely loaded onto the truck.
Packing the Moving Truck
After you cross packing and renting a truck off your moving checklist, you can start loading the moving truck.
Load Large and Heavy Items First
Prioritize large and heavy items, such as sofas, dressers, bed frames, mattresses, and box springs. Place these items against the walls of the truck, ensuring they are in an upright position and securely fastened to prevent shifting. Once all the appliances and large pieces of furniture have been loaded, move onto the heaviest boxes. By loading your heaviest belongings first, you create a stable foundation for the rest of your stuff.
Ensure Weight Is Evenly Distributed
To maintain stability and prevent the truck from becoming unbalanced, distribute the weight of your items evenly. Place heavy items toward the front of the truck (near the cab) and along the walls. As you load, alternate between the right and left sides of the truck for a balanced load. Avoid leaving gaps between items, as that can lead to shifting and leave the load unbalanced.
Load Lighter Items Last
Save lighter items for the final phase of loading the truck. Examples include boxes of linens, clothes, and other lightweight household items. Use soft items and smaller or lighter boxes to fill any remaining space between large boxes. Place fragile items on top of heavier and sturdier items to protect them from damage. Securely strap or tie down all items to prevent shifting during transit.
How to Load Fragile Items
Fragile or delicate items require extra care during the moving process. Here are some tips for loading fragile items:
- Wrap items individually with bubble wrap or packing paper and place them in sturdy boxes.
- Fill empty spaces with cushioning material to prevent shifting, and label the boxes as “fragile” to encourage careful handling.
- Wrap large fragile items, such as a glass coffee table or full-length mirror, with moving blankets or bubble wrap.
- Designate a specific area in the moving truck for fragile items that is away from heavy objects.
- Secure fragile boxes between larger, stable items for added protection.
- Avoid placing heavy items on top of delicate ones. Instead, use fragile items to fill the vertical space in the truck by stacking them on top of heavy boxes and large items, such as washers and couches.
- Point out breakable items to any helpers or professional movers and emphasize the need for careful handling.
How to Load Valuable Items
You should also take extra care with artwork, antiques, electronics, and other high-value items. Here are some tips for loading valuable items:
- Start by documenting the condition and value of each item with photographs, videos, or a detailed inventory.
- Evaluate the insurance offered by your moving company and purchase additional coverage if necessary.
- For extremely delicate items, consider hiring professional movers to handle both the packing and the transportation.
- Use specialty packing materials for maximum protection. Custom crates, foam inserts, and double-walled boxes are a few examples.
- Reinforce boxes with extra packing tape, and label them as “fragile” or “high-value” for careful handling.
- Keep high-value items under supervision throughout the moving process, or transport them separately to minimize the risk of theft or damage. Otherwise, follow the same guidelines you would use for other fragile items.
Packing a Moving Truck: Professional vs. DIY
One of the first decisions to make when planning a move is whether to tackle the job yourself or enlist professional help. Both options have their merits, so take a moment to explore the pros and cons of each approach before making a decision.
Professional
When you hire professional movers, you benefit from their expertise and experience. Professional movers have the knowledge and skills to handle delicate and valuable items. They also have the necessary equipment and tools to make the moving process safe and efficient. By entrusting the packing and loading to professionals, you can focus on other aspects of moving into a new house and avoid physical strain.
However, professional moving services come at a cost. Hiring movers can be expensive, and you will need to coordinate with the moving company’s schedule. This can result in less flexibility than a DIY move.
If you decide to hire a moving company, it’s important to do your research. Ask friends and family for recommendations and read online reviews to identify reputable companies. Ensure that any company you hire is properly licensed and insured, and gather quotes from at least three different providers so you can compare pricing, terms, and services.
DIY
Packing and loading a moving truck yourself gives you complete control over the process and ensures that your belongings will be handled with care. The DIY route also provides flexibility in terms of timing, allowing you to pack, load, unload, and move in at your own pace. It also saves you money, as you won’t need to hire professional movers.
On the downside, DIY moves can be physically demanding, especially if you have heavy furniture or large appliances to deal with. You will be responsible for obtaining the necessary equipment and packing supplies, securing your belongings, and driving the truck.
To ensure a successful DIY move, plan ahead and enlist the help of friends or family. Make use of online resources and tutorials that cover packing tips, loading techniques, and safety precautions.
In Conclusion
Whether you choose to pack and load a moving truck yourself or hire professional movers, safety and efficiency are key. Treat the process like a game of truck-packing Tetris, strategically arranging items to maximize space and prevent shifting. Utilize the right packing supplies to protect your belongings—especially fragile and high-value items—and ensure clear communication with any helpers.
By incorporating the tips from this article, you can confidently tackle this important aspect of your move and ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Packing a Moving Truck FAQ
What cannot be packed in a moving truck?
Certain items cannot or should not be packed in a moving truck due to safety, legal, or practical reasons. The following are some examples:Flammable, explosive, or corrosive substancesLive plants and animalsPerishable or refrigerated itemsRestricted or illegal itemsValuables and important documentsIf you are unsure about what can or cannot be packed in a moving truck, talk to your moving or truck rental company.
What should be the last thing you pack in a moving truck?
The last thing you pack in a moving truck should be an “open-first” box filled with things you will need immediately upon arrival at your new home. Loading this box last ensures easy access and allows you to locate and unpack essential items quickly. Consider including items such as toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, bedding, important documents, and phone chargers. Label the box clearly to distinguish it from the rest of your belongings.
How long does it take to pack a moving truck?
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day to pack a moving truck. The exact amount of time depends on several factors, including the size of your move, how much help you have, and your level of organization. If you are moving from a one-bedroom home or studio apartment, packing the moving truck will generally take two to three hours. For every additional bedroom, you can add one to two hours.