Are you going to tackle your big move on your own, and you've rented a moving truck to do it? If so, one area where you lack experience when compared to professional movers is packing your moving truck. There is a right and wrong way to do it, and these tips will help ensure that you do it the right way.

Pick the Right-Sized Truck

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure that you are renting a truck that is big enough to fit all of your belongings for a single trip. This means that getting a truck that's slightly too big is better than a truck that is slightly too small. There are often recommendations for each size truck based on the type of home you have, so look at the estimates closely and make adjustments for if your house is packed with more stuff than a typical home.

Gather Moving Materials 

You'll need a few things to securely pack your belongings onto the moving truck. This includes an appliance dolly to move larger items, furniture pads, plastic wrap, and ratchet straps. As long as you have these things on hand, you'll be able to protect items and prevent them from moving. 

Place Large Items Near the Rear

The rear of the truck is considered the portion that is closest to the cab where your seating is located, not near the door. You'll want to place all of your heavy furniture items near the back for a few reasons. Not only does it help balance out the weight of the truck, but it will make it easier to secure them to the rear wall of the truck so the items do not move. Make sure to pack items to the ceiling so that you make the most of the space in the truck. Secure those large items to the rails of the moving truck with ratchet straps, and then place furniture pads around them. It helps to secure the furniture pads with plastic wrap so they don't fall off. 

Place Boxes in the Middle 

All of your moving boxes can go in the middle of the truck. As long as you used actual moving boxes, you should be fine with getting them to stack properly with your largest and heaviest boxes near the bottom. Boxes should not be stacked higher than the items behind them to prevent boxes from shifting around, which is why you want to stack them towards the ceiling.

Place Lightweight Items in the Front

Anything lightweight should be packed near the front of the truck. Think of things like small boxes, dining room table chairs, various odds and ends you don't have a place for on the truck. You should also place very important items at the front of the truck if you can grab them as soon as you arrive. 

Don't feel confident doing this job on your own? Contact local moving companies to find a team that can take care of it all for you.

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