How to Load a Moving Truck Efficiently | Storage Express
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July 13th, 2021
Loading a moving truck requires time and effort, but a little forethought can make the job much easier. If you plan to move soon and need to load a moving truck, here is how to do it efficiently.
Disassemble All Furniture Beforehand
Disassemble any furniture that comes apart easily before moving day. This may include your bed frame, dining table, modular shelving, and other pieces. Disassembled furniture is easier to move, and taking it apart is something you can do before you pick up your moving truck.
As you take apart furniture, put any screws or pegs that you take out of a piece in a sandwich bag and tape the bag to that furniture. This is an easy way to keep track of what hardware goes with which furniture.
Stage the Furniture Nearest the Door
Your furniture is likely the largest and heaviest items that you're moving, so it should be loaded first and placed near the front of your moving truck's cargo area. This helps prevent shifting, and it lets you position smaller belongings around the bigger furniture.
Since you will likely load your furniture first, stage it near the door before you get your moving truck. Arrange it so that the largest items are generally near the door and the smaller ones are a little further back, and make sure to leave room for the door itself to open.
As you do this, leave a path from the door through the room containing the furniture. This will ensure people can walk through easily when loading.
Stage Boxes in Another Room
In another room, stage all of the boxes that you have. These should be set up in stacks that are as high as a hand truck so you can slide the base of a hand truck under them and quickly take one stack of boxes at a time.
Back the Truck Close to the Door
The distance between the back of the moving truck and your place's door can have a significant effect on how long it takes to load the moving truck. For professional movers, every additional foot between the truck and the door increases loading time. Without professionals’ equipment and expertise, the increase can be even larger.
To minimize the effect that this distance has on your loading time, get the moving truck's cargo area as close to the door you'll bring items out from. Have someone spot for you while you back up the truck, and take the time necessary to get as close as possible. A few extra minutes spent positioning the truck will save you a lot of time overall.
Load the Furniture and the Boxes
Once your moving truck is in place, you are ready to load the furniture and boxes. Start with the furniture, and fill in any open spaces around the furniture with the boxes.
If everything is arranged properly, you should be able to work your way through the room with the furniture and load items in order of size. You can use the walkway you left open for carting boxes through the room when you have a place in the truck to put them.
Load Small Miscellaneous Items
After the furniture and boxes are all loaded, you will probably still have some small miscellaneous items. Place these wherever the truck has room for them. Since they are smaller, you should be able to find room for them.
If you need a moving truck for an upcoming move, reserve one with Storage Express. We are a registered U-Haul dealer. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.