Properly preparing your items for moving is essential to protect them from damage while loading or during transport. Moving boxes should be filled to prevent items from moving or shifting. Tape all boxes securely with packaging tape to provide a solid structure for stacking. Clearly mark boxes with fragile contents to alert movers so they can take extra precaution while loading.
Having the necessary tools will make the loading process quicker, easier and prevent injuries. A moving dolly or lifting straps allows you to lift and move heavy appliances and furniture easily. The lift straps are placed under a heavy item and lifted by two people, distributing the weight evenly. A dolly is a metal cart with wheels that is placed under objects and tilted to lift off the ground. It works as a lever, greatly reducing the actual lifting weight.
Loading a moving truck or trailer requires proper moving supplies to securely load the items for transport. Tie down straps and expanding bars will allow you to lock items into position and prevent your boxes from shifting. Cargo bars expand to each side of the truck making an anchor point items ride against. Moving trucks and trailer come with tie down spots along the walls and floor to use tie downs or ratchet straps to secure large items. If the truck is not loaded completely, cargo bars have to be placed against the cargo to form a wall to prevent items from sliding to the back of truck.
Loading items in proper order will protect them from damage due to shifting or being crushed by heavier items. Large heavy objects should always be loaded on the floor from the middle to front of the cargo area. Items such as dressers, sofas, beds and appliances should be moved around to find a pattern where they tightly fit. Fragile items can be secured in drawers of dressers and cabinets or spaces on the floor in between large objects covered by a mattress or couch cushion to protect them. Other small items and boxes should make up the area above the large items to the ceiling.
