Making Moving EasierMaking Moving Easier

Loading a moving truck can seem to be as much an art as a science, but there are some things you can do that can make loading a truck a less-stressful experience and also result in better protection for your possessions. Below are three considerations that will help ensure that your items arrive in one piece at their destination:

Use plywood sheets to create shelves and dividers

One of the problems with the way moving trucks are often loaded by do-it-yourself movers is attempting to stack items on unstable bases of support. An item that is barely balanced on a pile of boxes or furniture will probably topple as soon as the truck begins moving.

That's why using plywood to form impromptu shelves in the truck can be helpful. Plywood can be used to form bridges across various items and provide stable resting spots during the move. To make this work for you, obtain a few sheets of ¼-inch plywood in the least expensive grade available, and use a circular saw to cut them into thirds or halves down the longest side. These sections can then be easily positioned where needed inside the truck; use rolled towels or blankets to prop up and level the plywood sections, and be careful not to damage vulnerable items, such as upholstered chairs, with splintered edges.

Eliminate wasteful pockets of air inside the truck

When packing, it is helpful to eliminate wasted space inside boxes by filling in the gaps with lighter, "fluffier" items such as pillows or blankets. In the same way, be sure you are focused on filling all possible gaps inside the truck during the loading process. Here are some empty spaces that you should utilize while loading:

• Refrigerator and freezer compartments—Be sure to fully defrost and dry these spaces before placing items inside.
• Chairs—Placing items on top of the chair seats is evident to most, but don't forget about the space underneath chairs, too.
• Drawers—Don't attempt to carry a desk, dresser or chest-of-drawers with full drawers; however, you can easily pack items into drawers and replace them during the moments before loading.
• Washer and dryer—The empty space inside the drums of your washer and dryer can carry washables, or you can use them to transport other items. However, do not place tools or heavy items inside your washer or dryer; they may damage the enamel finish or internal mechanisms should the weight be excessive.

When adding items to these empty spaces, be sure to leave a bright-colored sticky note on the outside of the "container." This will notify whoever does the unloading that there are enclosed items and prevent possible damage or injuring an otherwise-unaware unloader.

Consider the effects of stopping and starting

Inertia (objects in motion tend to stay in motion and those at rest tend to stay at rest) can become personal if it wreaks havoc on your poorly-loaded items. That is why you must consider the implications for how you load objects in relationship to one another, particularly in a front-to-back direction. For example, if you have a large hanging mirror to load, you would be best advised to load it to the side of a heavy oak desk. Placing a fragile item such as a mirror in front of or behind the desk may result in it being broken during times when the truck starts and stops.

In addition, you can help mitigate this force by regularly placing tie-down straps across the width of the cargo area and creating multiple partitioned zones. Be sure to select straps that are an inch wide or greater and are able to be tightened with a ratchet. These types of strap will provide a stronger hold on your items and enable you to tighten them effectively without worrying about their ability to withstand the "heave-ho" action of the cargo.

Learn more tips or glean more assistance by visiting resources like http://www.elitetruckrental.com.