How To Load A Moving Truck
The Real Person's Guide to Piling Your Moving Truck
Hey there! I've been in your position – towering over an empty moving truck and a packed house full of stuff, wondering how it all will fit inside. Moving is no one's happy time (except maybe the strangely excited sort who loves cardboard boxes and packing tape!), but I've learned a few things that might rescue your back and your sanity.
Confession Time: I Was Awful at This
We moved nearly every year when I was a kid, but when I finally flew the coop and had to navigate my first solo move? Total disaster. My plates were stuck behind my gym weights, and my favorite lamp did not make it to the new place intact.
A couple of moves later, I've turned into a fairly competent truck-loader. So let me share my hard-earned knowledge in some agonizing (and occasionally expensive) trial and error:
The "Mom's Attic" Savior: That weird space over the truck cab? It's perfect for your television, computer, and whatever else you'd be heartbroken to have cracked. I shipped my grandmother's china once like this—not a single chip!
The Heavy Hitter Technique: I remember when I put all my books in the rear of the truck. Big error! The truck was riding like it was trying to do a wheelie. Nowadays, I always put my fridge, washer, dryer, and other heavy objects in the front. Your gas tank (and everyone behind you) will thank you.
The Dresser Debacle: Believe me, from my humongous blunder—I once had a dresser drawer slide open during transport, dumping socks and underwear all over the whole truck. Now I always turn dressers so that drawers are toward the walls. Problem solved!
The Wall of Softness: Box springs and mattresses make great wall padding! Strap them to the sides, and they'll break up the rest when you hit that inescapable pothole that looks like the Grand Canyon.
The Tetris Challenge: Recall that weirdly shaped floor lamp or bike that no one can fit anywhere. They are perfect for those weird spaces at the top of your load. I've had some seriously weird arrangements in my moving experience!
The Lifesaver Box: After my first move, I spent an hour hunting for toilet paper and actually used napkins from a fast-food drive-thru. Don't be like me! Pack one well-labeled box with everything you'll need for that first night: TP, shower supplies, phone chargers, PJs, morning coffee supplies, and maybe some comfort foods (moving creates an appetite!).
