Packing a moving truck is like solving a jigsaw puzzle - every piece needs to fit perfectly to ensure a safe and efficient move. This comprehensive guide covers all the professional techniques you need to pack your truck properly, protect your belongings, and make your move as smooth as possible.

Remember: "I think the most important thing is to have everything packed tight and at the same height so nothing shifts or falls." This advice from experienced movers will save you from broken items and a frustrating moving day.

Preparation & Planning

Proper preparation is the key to successful truck packing. Taking time to plan your loading strategy will save you time, energy, and prevent damage to your belongings.

Pro Tip:

"When packing any room that has cabinets, a good way to avoid repeating steps is to have tape handy and when you finish a cabinet, put a piece of masking tape across the cabinet doors to keep you from repeatedly opening the doors to check and see if you packed it."

Warning:

"The first time I moved years ago I had empty space at the back of the truck so I just left it empty. Really dumb move! Boxes were all dumped into the empty spot and stuff got broken."

Pre-Loading Organization

Move all furniture out in front of the truck if possible. This helps you see how much you're working with and identify the heaviest items. Only do this if you don't annoy neighbors or end up taking up too much space. Make sure you have a clear path between home and the truck.

Supplies & Equipment

Dolly

This will help you move heaviest furniture as well as boxes. A furniture/appliance dolly is essential for heavy items.

Protective Padding

Paper padding, plastic stretch wrap, or furniture pads will keep furniture free from damage.

Packing Tape

This will hold the padding over furniture together and secure boxes.

Straps & Tie-downs

These will help furniture stay together and will keep it from shifting during transport.

Complete Supply List

  • Furniture Pads and/or Paper Padding - For protecting wood surfaces and corners
  • Small Stretch Wrap and Large Stretch Wrap - For wrapping furniture and securing items
  • Mattress Bags - To spare your bed from rips and tears
  • Packing Tape - Essential for securing boxes and padding
  • Tarp or plastic sheeting - Should cover the floor of the truck to keep furniture from getting dirty
  • Furniture/Appliance Dolly - For moving heaviest items
  • Ropes, moving straps, bungee cords, or other types of tie-downs - For securing loads
  • Leather work gloves - For better grip and hand protection
  • Cardboard - For additional protection
  • Step-stool or smaller ladder - For reaching higher areas in the truck
  • "Filler" items - Pillows, stuffed animals, clothes, linens, etc. in bags for filling gaps

Protection Supplies Details

"I also rent the blankets like from uhaul so I can wrap the furniture to avoid scratches." Using padded protection makes it easier to slide heavier pieces onto the truck and is worth the little extra it costs. For extra protection, after you wrap a mirror or painting, you can put it between mattress and box spring, or surround it by cushions.

Loading Process

Ideal Truck Loading Diagram

Appliances
(Fridge, Washer)
Heavy Furniture
(Dressers, Desk)
Long Items
(Sofas, Mattresses)
Heavy Boxes
(Bottom Layer)
Medium Boxes
(Middle Layer)
Fragile Items
(On Top)
Heavy Items (Bottom)
Long Items (Sides)
Boxes (Layered)
Fragile Items (Top)
1

Prepare the Cab

Put items you really need in the cab so you don't forget about them and end up packing them in the back of the truck. You'll need:

  • Toolkit so you can reassemble furniture as soon as you need to
  • Overnight items so you don't have to search for them
  • Most fragile items that you don't want to put in the truck
  • Fragile items include valuable plates, anything made of glass, and even light bulbs from disassembled lamps
  • Computers and small electronic items, or even a television, in the cab if they will fit

If you or someone who is helping you is also driving a car to the new home, you can also give fragile items to that person.

2

Disassemble Furniture

This will help make furniture easier to pack and light enough to carry. Before furniture leaves the house, it should be taken apart into manageable pieces:

  • Remove the cushions from sofas
  • Take apart bed and bed frames. Tape bed frames together
  • Take the bulbs out of lamps and place them in a separate container or bag
  • For heavy dressers, take the drawers out and carry them to the truck individually
  • File cabinets can be the heaviest item of all. Take out drawers and carry them separately
  • If you remove any screws or hardware, put it in a bag and tape it to the furniture
  • "Tape screws to at least one piece of whatever you unscrewed it from."
3

Load Heavy Items First

"Move the largest and heaviest items first." You should have two people in the truck who will be the designated "loaders," while the rest of the people will carry the furniture to the truck.

  • Heaviest items include appliances: stove, washing machine, fridge, and dishwasher
  • Load these items into the front of the truck to maximize space and keep the truck from dragging
  • Keep these items in their upright positions and distribute along the back wall
  • If you have a washer and dryer, position them on the opposite side from the fridge
  • Next, load large pieces of furniture: sofas, living room chairs, entertainment units
  • "Remember that you'll be packing from floor to ceiling, with the heaviest items on the bottom."

Pro Tip: "And it's not heavy stuff to the front but heavy stuff all the way across in an even layer, front to back." Distribute weight evenly on both sides of the truck.

4

Load Long Items

"Move longer items such as box springs, mattresses, long mirrors, headboards, sofas and table-tops on to the truck next."

  • Place these items against the longest walls of the truck to save space and keep them upright
  • Secure these items to the side of the truck with ties if it has a place for them
  • Sofa, mattress, and box spring will provide cushion for other items
  • Put dressers and desks against mattresses so the drawers can have a cushion if they open
  • Any item with drawers should be facing the truck walls so the drawers can't open too much
  • "I also lay the box springs down with the mattress on top so I can put the fragile boxes, tv's etc on top of the mattress to absorb some of the shock."
5

Pack Boxes into the Truck

"As has been said, get all the boxes in first, packed as high and as tight as you can."

  • Choose boxes of similar size and strength so you can stack them on top of each other
  • Place the heaviest and largest boxes on the bottom, medium-weight boxes in the middle, and lighter items on top
  • Create three layers of weight: heavy, medium-sized, and light boxes
  • Make sure you have labeled the boxes to say which room they should go in
  • "Pack each bedroom's bedding in a separate box and mark that box on all four sides and the top."
  • Try to create tiers that have a similar height so you can pack boxes to create an even surface
  • Move from the front to the back of the truck
  • Place items that are hard to stack in between crevices to save space (cushions, strollers)
6

Load Fragile and Remaining Items

"Place fragile items or awkward shaped items on last, ensuring that they will not move around during transport."

  • The best spot for fragile boxed items is in cubbyholes such as underneath tables, desks and beneath chair legs
  • Your goal should be to pack the truck as tightly as possible without squeezing items too tightly
  • "Try to fit together the remaining parts as if you were working on a jigsaw puzzle."
  • Place items that don't fit anywhere else in the front of the truck, such as grills
  • The last items to be loaded should be those that can be stuffed into holes and that don't contain anything fragile
  • Use bags full of clothes, linens, blankets, and towels as filler items
  • Items such as hangers, garage items, boots and shoes can be used to fill empty spaces
7

Secure the Load

"Most trucks have tie off points on the walls so I use rope or twine to tie off anything that might shift."

  • Pack 2-3 foot tiers of items, and wrap a strap around the items when you're done with each layer to hold them together
  • If you only have some loose stuff left, stand up a few mattresses or even go buy two cheap sheets of 1/2" plywood, and tie them across the boxes to lock everything in
  • If you rent a truck that is larger than you need, minimize moving and jostling by leaving the empty space at the back of the truck and keeping the height of your packing low and even
  • Use the space inside of furniture by packing small items inside drawers and other storage areas (put items in after furniture is on the truck)

Weight Distribution

"I always try to spread the heaviest boxes evenly so the weight is spread out." Proper weight distribution is critical for safe driving:

Critical Safety Note:

"Pack these items into the front of the truck to maximize your space and to keep the truck from dragging if the back is too heavy. If the truck drags, you could be in a dangerous driving situation, so it's best to avoid it."

Furniture Handling Tips

Mattress Handling

Make sure you use mattress covers to spare your bed and sofa from rips and tears. Wrap mattresses for protection. You can also use linens to stuff both ends of carpet rolls before taping ends closed.

Drawer Furniture

When you load dressers back into the truck, you can put the drawers back in and even tape them shut. This prevents them from opening during transit.

Wrapping Furniture

"Get plastic wrap and wrap all your furniture (upholstered)." Though some people like to wrap furniture in advance, it's best to wrap items as soon as you get them in the truck.

Protecting Furniture in the Truck

When you move an item into the truck, you should put it on top of the paper padding, cover it in the padding, and then tape it down. If you plan ahead, you probably have a lot of things that you need to move with you anyway that would make great protective pads in the truck. When packing, leave all blankets, sheets, towels and other linens unboxed and use them when packing.

Dissembling Tips

Dissemble bed frames, tables and desks and tape pieces together. Do the same for longer items such as skis and poles, lamp bases and lamp parts. When you roll-up your carpets, place these items inside then tape your carpet closed, both around the carpet itself as well as both ends. Place the carpet on the floor of the truck.

Safety & Warnings

Important Warnings:

  • Distribute weight evenly on both sides of the truck. Do not put too many heavy items on one side or the other.
  • Remember to lift with your legs and not your back.
  • Do not move a heavy piece of furniture by yourself. Make sure to have enough people helping.
  • If you take on too much, you may do permanent damage to your back.
  • Avoid clothing that can easily snag on furniture or you may have an accident.
  • If you're feeling dizzy from moving too many items, take a break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not filling empty space - "Boxes were all dumped into the empty spot and stuff got broken."
  • Not securing the load - Items shift during transit causing damage
  • Incorrect weight distribution - Causes truck to drag or handle poorly
  • Not disassembling furniture - Makes items harder to move and pack
  • Not protecting furniture - Results in scratches and damage
  • Not labeling boxes - Makes unpacking much more difficult

Professional Tips from Experienced Movers

"VERY CAREFULLY!!! Seriously, it's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle."

  • "Pack each bedroom's bedding in a separate box and mark that box on all four sides and the top."
  • "Turn tables upside down or remove legs."
  • "Part a pats box. (screwdrivers, nails, remote controls, etc.)" - Keep small essentials together
  • "Wear comfortable footwear on the day of the move."
  • "Use furniture padding to protect wood surfaces and corners." Padding can be rented and is worth the cost.
  • "Label each box thoroughly for an easier time unpacking." This also helps ensure you have everything.

Truck Sizing Guide

"Talk to the truck rental company to find out what size truck you need." They can estimate this based on the number of rooms or square feet in your home.

Truck Too Small:

If the truck is too small, not everything may fit or things could get damaged by squishing and over packing.

Truck Too Large:

If the truck is too large, the empty space may cause items to shift and get damaged during the move.

Final Reminder: "I load the rest of the boxes first because you can put them together like a puzzle so nothing shifts. I load the furniture last and put light boxes or odds and ends on top. The most important thing is to have everything packed tight and at the same height so nothing shifts or falls."