Curious how to properly pack a rental truck? If you have a plan to DIY move, you need to know the ins and outs of packing and loading a moving truck. That way, you can evenly distribute the weight, maximize your space, and prevent any damages to your belongings. Keep reading for a few tips on how to pack a rental truck like a pro.
- Figure Out The Size Of The Rental Truck You Need
From the smaller cargo vans to the larger trucks, there’s a plethora of sizes and shapes being offered by truck and trailer rental companies. Whatever you choose, though, make sure to avoid a truck that’s too small for your belongings. While it’s true that smaller trucks are cheaper, they will only cost you extra money and time in the long run. For example, if the rental vehicle is too small for your belongings, you won’t have any other choice but to make multiple back and forth trips.
To make sure that you’re choosing the right size of a rental truck for your next move, don’t forget to carefully read the size guidelines from the rental company. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call a representative of the truck rental company for more details on sizing.
- Gather All The Necessary Supplies That You Need For The Move
Before beginning to load a moving truck, make sure to gather all supplies first. Aside from packing tape, plastic wrap, and sturdy boxes, you may also need furniture blankets or pads for extra protection to your belongings, as well as a dolly to help in loading heavy items.
When you’re already going to load a truck, be sure that each item has been adequately packed with plenty of protection. Make use of moving blankets or furniture pads to fill those gaps between furniture items and boxes. It won’t only prevent things from shifting while you’re hitting the road but also prevent them from scraping up against each other. Besides furniture pads, you’ll also need a mattress bag that you can use for storing your mattress, as well as moving straps to hold items in place.
- Ask Friends To Help Out
Thinking of packing and loading a moving truck by yourself? Don’t. Before moving, it would be best to ask your friends and family for some help during the loading and unloading process.
It’s a bad idea to lift and carry those heavy boxes, furniture, and other items by yourself. It won’t only potentially injure you but also make the moving process a lot longer to finish. On the other hand, having the helping hands of your friends and family will dramatically improve and speed up the entire moving process. This could ultimately help you save money as well since the rental time of the truck becomes considerably shorter.
- Disassemble Your Furniture Items
The next step is to disassemble your furniture items before you begin loading them onto the rental truck. That way, you can maximize the space and distribute their weight more evenly. For instance, if you take the legs of a dining table off, you can store the table upright without the legs sticking out on the truck. This, of course, will leave more room for your other belongings and enables you to place the legs of the table in a different part of your moving truck, thus, helping even out the weight.
- Load The Heaviest And Largest Items First
Make sure to start with the heaviest and largest items first now that you’re ready to start loading the truck. This includes coffee tables, sectionals, couches, washers/dryers, refrigerators, chairs, tables, bed frames, and even the mattresses that you plan to move. These items should be on the bottom of the moving truck, given their weight and size, to prevent crushing and damaging your other boxes and belongings. Also, be sure to place the heavier items towards the front portion of the truck. And as much as possible, near the cab where the seat of the driver is located.
The last items that you should load are those that aren’t fragile, and you can stuff into holes, like towels, blankets, linens, and bags full of clothes. You can utilize shoes or boots, garage items, hangers, and other items that won’t break during the move to fill empty spaces.
Final Thoughts
The best way of packing a rental truck is to do the job with deliberation and care instead of making the process a frantic, mad dash just to get everything done.
