How to pack a truck when moving house

We got in touch with Adrian, one of the industries most experienced removalists and asked for a first hand guide about the best way to load a truck while moving to prevent any breakages.

How do I prepare for moving day?

To make your moving day easier consider doing the following preparation:

• Pack all boxes prior to the moving day
• Book a truck to hire well in advance
• Make sure there is parking for the truck close to the property
• Ask a friend to help load furniture
• Ask relatives to look after your pets and children for a few hours
• Check your insurance in case of accidents

What do I need to load a truck?

Below is an essential list of things to remember to make your move easier:

• Ropes to secure heavier items
• A trolly to move large or heavy items
• Enclosed truck in case of bad weather
• A walk up ramp for loading the truck
• Furniture Pads or Blankets

Step by Step Guide for Loading a Truck

Adrian says there’s a particular procedure they always follow to ensure the safety of your possessions when moving.

Step 1 – Be sure to pack all loose items into boxes, there are three most common box types for moving, these are book boxes, large standard boxes and porta-robes. To make things easier consider having your belongings professionally packed to ensure they are not too heave and are easy to move.

Step 2 – Secure an easy to access parking spot for your truck and organise with neighbours or your apartment manager so the distance is not too far from the premises.

Step 3 – Use a walk up ramp as it allows you to be able to walk in and out of the truck each time rather than a tail lifter which is slow and inefficient.

Step 4 – Before packing the truck do a quick tour of the premises to calculate how to get all the contents into the truck the most efficient and best way possible.

Step 5 – Start with big wardrobes placing a soft tie around the entire wardrobe to stop the door from coming open whilst I’m carrying it.

Step 6 – Load from the front of the truck on the right hand side facing the doors to the wall then cover with a furniture pad to completely protect it.

Step 7 – Try to keep height even from right to left so next obvious would be a Lounge. Wrap it in plastic before it leaves the house, then stand it beside & behind the back of the wardrobe that was first in and place the lounge on a blanket that is placed on the floor and then one around it to further protect it.

Step 8 – Each item should be tied individually however if the contents are loaded perfectly, I may or may not tie items in at all.

Step 9 – On top of the wardrobe and lounge place cushions or light objects to fill the void between the roof.

Step 10 – Next on the left place white goods eg: fridge, washing machine, dryer and again place light items on top.

Step 11 – For the next two layers working from front to back start right to left again and start packing your large standard boxes with smaller book boxes on top, this will allow you to fill all the space from right to left evenly and give a level platform for load dining chairs on top.

Step 12 – Each chair is wrapped and protected and paired with another so they fit snugly. Put the first chair on its back & legs to the right then next one inside and so on, this will fill the space level and tight to the roof.

Step 13 – Keep loading in layers, bigger and heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top from right to left. For example a chest of drawers on the bottom followed by port-a-robes then lighter items on top

Step 14 – Finally load any pot plants and other awkward items last.

Other Truck Loading Tips

• When loading tables place them on their side with the legs away from the wall on a blanket and wrapped in a blanket. Inside the legs put a port a robe, small fridge or washing machine then lighter objects on top
• Always place the good side of the furniture or white goods to the wall and pad it once or twice, this allows extra protection to the visual side.
• Try and keep rugs and beds to the back of the truck so you unpack them first, as this allows you to put the rug down before the other furniture comes into the new house and allows the bed to be made first by the unpackers and get it over and done with.
• Also try to put kitchen boxes towards the back of the truck so you can start unpacking the kitchen items first.
• Art work are to be wrapped in special bubble Kraft which prevents sticking.
• Most of the weight in the truck should be distributed evenly and not too heavy at the front, technically heavier items should be over the back wheels.
• Fragile items like TVs, paintings, sculptures and mirrors may need a separate load.Always placing a pad on the floor folded to provide thickness and cushioning.
• Consider hiring an unpacking service to get settled into your home quicker on the day.