The task of loading a truck
with all of your belongings makes for a busy day or two. If you've managed to get most of
your goods properly packed in advance, you'll have a much easier time when it comes to loading.
Many companies will offer to send a video with loading advice. Take advantage of this. The more you understand about the loading process before you actually have to perform it, the better off you'll be.
First, try to establish a staging area where you can bring a large amount of your goods to be easily ready for loading. If you think of loading as putting together a big jigsaw puzzle, you'll understand why this is important. Imagine the pieces of a puzzle scattered all over your house — searching for the piece you need slows you down terribly. A handy pile of pieces lets you finish much faster. Same goes for loading the truck.
Your choice of staging area will be influenced by security concerns and the weather. Pick a spot you feel comfortable with and start filling it with items to select from to fill every nook and cranny.
Load order is unload order — in reverse
This is the one thing people don't figure out until they're already loading the truck: whatever goes in last comes out first. You don't get to choose what to unload first once you arrive — whatever's sitting at the back of the truck (the last things you loaded) is what you'll be pulling out first. So load the things you'll actually want first at your new place — cleaning supplies, tools, a coffee maker, kids' essentials — dead last, right at the truck's back door. Load what you can live without for a few weeks first, deep at the front.
Keep in mind which items are heavy and sturdy so you can stack others on top of them. The lightest items, and those that can't support much weight, should go on top for protection from crushing.
Loading boxes should be relatively simple. The odd-shaped items — bicycles, chairs, lawnmowers, grills, and others — will give you the most difficulty. See our advice on loading odd-shaped items for specifics.
Loading is also the time to take precautions against scratches and dings. The best protection is a good, thick moving blanket — scratches and abrasions happen when objects move against each other, and a blanket keeps items from direct contact. Many items may need more than one blanket, so get as many as you can.
If you can't get blankets for all of your furniture, wrapping film (plastic cling wrap) helps too. It's not as good as a blanket, but it prevents minor scratches from light contact. It's also handy for securing a blanket to an item so it doesn't slip off in transit.
The bottom line is to pack your truck solidly to avoid shifting during transit, and to keep from injuring yourself or others in the process.
Here are some thoughts for loading common items:
- Bicycles
- Chairs
- Couches and Upholstered Furniture
- Exercise Machines
- Grills
- Lawnmowers
- Motorcycles
- Pianos
- Refrigerators
- Washer and Dryer Sets
Helpful Hints
- You're paying for the space in the truck, so try to use every bit of it. Without jeopardizing personal safety or risking damage to your goods, try to stack right to the roof.
- A sturdy ladder or two and a lot of rope and bungees will help immensely when trying to stack a stable load.
- Moving thousands of pounds of belongings is very physically demanding. Pace yourself and recruit help to avoid injury and damage to your goods or the truck. See a doctor first if you have any health concerns.
- Check the weather a few days out so you know what to expect. Ramps get VERY slippery when wet.
- Don't forget gloves. Make sure they have a good grip to avoid dropping items.
In This Section
Loading Odd-Shaped Items
Advice on how to load odd-shaped items safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Bicycles
Advice on how to load bicycles safely and effectively into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Chairs
Advice on how to load chairs safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Couches
Advice on how to load couches safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Exercise Machines
Advice on how to load exercise machines such as treadmills, stair climbers, weight sets, and other home gym equipment safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Grills
Advice on how to load barbeque grills safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Lawnmowers
Advice on how to load lawnmowers safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Motorcycles
Advice on how to load motorcycles safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Pianos
Advice on how to load pianos safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Refrigerators
Advice on how to load refrigerators safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.
Loading Washer and Dryer Sets
Advice on how to load washer and dryer sets safely and securely into a truck during a DITY Move.