Do the proper planning before ordering the moving truck. You first need to determine what size truck you will need. This determination should be done based on the square footage or size of the living space you are moving from. If you are leaving from a studio apartment of 2,000 square feet or less, the smallest size truck should do for you. If you are leaving a five-bedroom house, you may need two of the largest-sized moving trucks. Once you have rented the truck, map out how you will position your items. This means that you should literally draw on paper a plan for loading your truck based on the advice given in the next section. A simple rectangle with labeled squares indicating the location of each piece of furniture and the largest boxes of items will work. Small and medium boxes will always be toward the back of the truck or in the overhead compartment and are not necessary to include in your drawing.
Understand that the key to efficiently moving your items is to optimize the use of space in the truck and minimize the potential for damage to any items. The truck should be packed tightly with as little open space as possible, but also without crushing any items. Larger items will go into the truck first and will go toward the front of the truck. There are two reasons why this is done. First, the largest items will be the most difficult to position in the truck and will require the most space. Second, if the objects were placed in the back, the back end of the truck may drag.
Place the large appliances (refrigerator, oven, washer and dryer) in the back of the truck first. The refrigerator should be on the side opposite both the washer and dryer for even weight distribution. Mattresses and box springs will go in next along the sides of the cab. These will act as shock absorbers to the other items. Stack all boxed items according to the size, small boxes on top of other small boxes, medium-sized with medium-sized boxes, large with large. The large boxes go in first, then medium-sized and lastly the small boxes. Lighter boxes in each category go on the top, heavy ones on the bottom. Once all items are packed, moving pads and blankets can be used to fill open spaces.
Make sure that your personal items are properly boxed before you load the truck. Large appliances will require the most care. The refrigerator should be unplugged at least two days before the date of the move to allow for drainage. The largest items will be the first ones to go into the truck and so should be the first item to be carried out of the apartment or house. All refrigerator, oven and dresser doors should be taped shut. All items for each room should be boxed and labeled according to their fragility or durability, meaning lamps should go in one box and barbells in another. Wrap the legs of all tables and dressers to prevent scratching. Cover all furniture with moving pads or blankets. Fragile or prized personal items can be placed in the overhead bins. Place a box of tools and cleaning supplies at the back of the truck to clean items before they are moved in.
