Check the truck load limits. The main packing concern is matching the weight of the load with the truck. Trucks are ranked by the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and tires are rated according to use. Weight limits can be found on the rim of the driver's door or in the truck manual. If these are not available, the truck manufacturer can also provide information if given the make, model and the year the truck was manufactured. Truck maker links are listed in the Resources section of this article.
Prepare the truck bed. If transporting a light load of dirt or mulch, it makes for easier cleanup if the load is placed on a heavy plastic or cloth tarp. This will keep the particles from wedging in welds and cracks of the truck bed. If the truck is used frequently for this type of transport, permanent bed liners may be installed, or temporary plastic bed inserts may be purchased to fit the truck model.
Prepare the load. It is easier to transport goods if they are placed into other containers. Mulch and dirt may be put into plastic garbage cans with lid attachments for safe transportation, with little loss of the load. If this is not possible, after light loads of dirt or mulch are shoveled into the truck, water down the load to keep it from blowing out while the truck is moving.
Household goods are also easily transported when placed into boxes or plastic tubs. This will ensure that the goods do not shift or blow out of the truck bed. Seal paper box and plastic container lids with duct tape, especially when transporting goods over long distances. Insert cardboard boxes into plastic garbage bags for secure transport during rain and snowstorms.
Load the base layer. The first layer of the truck bed load should be the heaviest. The weight should be evenly distributed over the bed. The tallest items in the load should be placed at the top of the bed, behind the cab. Headboards and the like should be placed directly behind the cab, wrapped in a packing blanket.
Load the top layer. The lighter items should be secured around the sides of the load. Using rope and bungee cords, tie the individual boxes and plastic totes through the holes in the interior bed or through the openings on the edge of the bed. Do not randomly throw boxes on top of the base load. These will not stay in the bed on long trips.
Secure the load. The last layer should be secured with a final webbed cover. Even though all of the items have been tied or bungeed in place, this top cover will keep any item in place that might have been dislodged by movement or by the constant movement of the bed during travel.
Take a trial drive. Drive in a normal manner, and test merging the truck into traffic. Drive around for a short time to test the load. If the trip will include a segment on the freeway, take a quick test run on the freeway. Loads may shift during the merging process, so a trial freeway run is critical for extended travel.
