How to Pack a Moving Truck

How to prepare for a move

Start by making a moving checklist of all that you need to do before your move, like determining your moving budget or getting rid of items you don’t need to take with you.

1. Get moving supplies

Next, gather your supplies. Here are the supplies you’ll generally need for a move:

• Boxes of various sizes
• Cushioning and packaging material
• Packing tape
• Masking tape
• Marker or large felt-tip pen for labeling
• Stickers of various colors for color-coding boxes according to the contents
• Moving blankets for covering furniture
• Twine for securing items that may open, such as dressers

Depending on the belongings you’re packing, you may not need some of these supplies, or you may need specialty moving supplies, like wardrobe boxes and “fragile” stickers. For boxes, choose boxes that are the correct size for your items. For example, if you’re packing books, it’s smart to use smaller boxes so they don’t get too heavy to carry.

You might be able to get free moving boxes from bookstores, supermarkets or liquor stores.

2. Pick a staging area

Once you have your supplies, identify a staging area in your home. As you pack boxes, you can move them to this area so they stay out of the way and you can see your progress, which can be a great motivator. It also helps to keep you organized.

The staging area should be large enough that the boxes and stand-alone items can be separated by room, and you can set aside boxes that need to be unpacked first, like bed linens, towels, toiletries and select kitchen supplies. When packing, clearly label the boxes or color code them using stickers. This will help when it’s time to load up the truck and when it’s time to unpack at your new home.

» DO IT RIGHT: How to pack for a move

3. Prepare large objects for moving

Take apart what you can to make it easier to move. If you have dressers, armoires or desks with drawers, it can be helpful to tape drawers shut with masking tape so the drawers don’t open when you’re moving items.

Clean any rugs before loading them on the truck. You can roll them with the top side facing out, wrap them in plastic and secure them, or you can roll them with the bottom side facing out and save yourself the plastic and ties.

How to load a moving truck

When packing a moving truck, you want to do two things: maximize your space and evenly distribute the weight of heavy items.

1. Load the heaviest and largest items first

Furniture, large appliances, mattresses and similar items should be at the back of the truck, closest to the front of the cab. This keeps the weight better distributed and prevents larger items from crushing the smaller ones.

Sofas, tables, headboards, desks and other similar items should be loaded in an upright position. Use moving blankets to add some extra protection for these items and for any other items you don’t want to get scuffed.

2. Move smaller boxes and items next

The lightest items, like small appliances, boxes and smaller furniture, should be loaded on top of the heavier items and farthest away from the cab. Make sure items are relatively secure. Items will move around in transit, so don’t put anything breakable on top of furniture unless it’s well secured.

3. Put boxes you’ll need first closest to the door

Load items you’ll need upon arrival, like overnight bags, suitcases or toiletries, closest to the door of the truck (farthest from the cab). That way, they’re easily accessible and the first off as soon as your belongings reach your new home.

» NOW WHAT? How to unpack after moving

How to load a moving truck in tiers

Many truck rental companies and moving experts recommend loading a moving truck in tiers, if possible, to maximize space and keep your belongings from shifting in transit. The process is pretty simple — you can use furniture pads, packing blankets, filling materials and stretch wrap. Your first tier, for instance, might be for big, heavy furniture, and the second tier will be smaller, lighter items.

Use moving straps and stretch wrap to secure items that may otherwise shift and break in transit.

Load your boxes vertically, then tie off completed sections with stretch wrap to form a cell. Continue this way, making sure to fill in any gaps to prevent the contents from shifting, until you reach the opening of the truck. Make sure you tie down the last tier before closing the truck and getting on the road.

Make sure to distribute the weight evenly so boxes will stay where you put them and you don’t have an avalanche of belongings falling on you when you open the door. You can also use moving straps to secure larger items and keep them from shifting as you're going down the road.

Kathy Bennett, founder of Bennett Packaging, a corrugated packaging company, recommends a slight amendment to the tier-and-cell process that might work for you.

“The process we follow is we try to load heavy furniture in tiers diagonally and then load the relatively small items inside that diagonal shape,” Bennett said. “So furniture, being the heavy ones, shield the other items, and we tie all the tiers together to form a cell.”

How long it takes to load a moving truck

Typically, two professional movers can load the contents of a first-floor apartment in about an hour or two if the truck is less than 50 feet from the door. However, loading a larger 24-foot or 26-foot moving truck may take about four hours or more. If you live above the first floor, have a whole house or if your truck is parked more than 50 feet from the door, it’ll take longer to move your items.

Professional movers can load and unload contents in the shortest possible time. If you move the items yourself or with help from friends or family, it’ll likely take you a bit longer. Usually, the more people you have to help, the less time moving will take.

What not to pack in a moving truck

Generally, it’s a good idea to not pack the following in a moving truck:

• Anything flammable or poisonous. This includes items like motor oil, paint and cleaning supplies.
• Items that might melt or perish. If you have a long drive ahead of you, don’t pack anything that may melt, perish or attract pests, like food.
• Fragile or valuable items. It’s best not to pack items that are fragile, valuable or sentimental in a moving truck in case the items are damaged during transit or by movers. This includes items like televisions, collectibles, artwork, family photos and jewelry.
• Sensitive documents, electronics and items. This includes items like financial documents, medical records, government IDs, laptops and medications.
• Plants. Plants can be easily damaged during moves, so it's best to transport them carefully in a car.

If you have a car, it’s a good idea to pack anything like this, or even any items you’ll need immediately, in it instead of a moving truck. If you don’t have a car, it may be worth renting one if you’re concerned certain items may be damaged during the move.

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