How to Properly Load a Moving Van

Moving soon? Considering moving some of your larger belongings into storage? If so, you’ll likely be looking to hire a moving van in the near future. How you are going to load that van will be one of the last things on your mind as moving day approaches (if it even crosses it). Many people pack everything inside the house into boxes, and then everything (including your furniture) will be hauled outside to be loaded haphazardly, one by one, onto the bed of the moving van. But, is this the best way to do it?

How to Load a Moving Van The Right Way

Ostensibly, no. Just as there are many ways to skin a cat, there are many ways to load a moving van. Having said that, like everything in life, there is also a right way and a wrong way to do things. And as you can imagine, there are often more wrong ways than right ones. Here are some tips to keep in mind and mistakes to avoid on the big day.

Load Properly

First, do not load everything onto the truck haphazardly. This is an easy way to waste valuable space in the truck and to ensure that you will be making multiple trips moving your belongings instead of one, well-planned journey. You are much better off taking the extra few minutes planning on how best to load the truck according to your needs. Some people believe that the largest items should be loaded on first, including tables and furniture, followed by boxes which can then “fill in the gaps.” A better way is to load in all the boxes first, followed then by the large pieces of furniture. This is especially helpful when you consider the unloading and “moving in” phase of the move. The large pieces will be taken off the truck first and can then be placed at will inside your new abode without having to step around heavy moving boxes. Not only is it more convenient, it is also safer.

Manage Weight

Whichever method you choose, be sure to distribute the weight evenly, and be sure to tie your boxes down, especially if the van isn’t full of objects, to prevent your belongings from sliding around. If you are transporting large pictures or mirrors, a good trick is to slide them between mattresses to protect them from breaking. By following these simple tips, your move to our storage units or to your new home will go much more smoothly.

sweda

Mike Olsen

18:58 16 Oct 19

This is inexpensive storage that operates 100% as advertised - they do not offer 24/7 access and do not charge 24/7 access pricing. They are incredibly responsive to requests to unlock doors and provide access. It is not fancy but if you need a clean, dry place to store your stuff, you can't beat these guys. Don't expect bells and/or whistles but you also won't be paying for them.

Dave Shirlaw

01:54 10 Jun 19

Have to phone to have buildings unlocked. Annoying.

megan chow

23:06 21 May 19

sara ~

01:04 25 Sep 18

Prices are 1/2 the price of other storage units but it shuts down (locked gates) from 10 am - 6 pm except if you have the enormous ground level outside facing units. Those hours are impossible. The technology getting items up to the second story is an actual forklift thats made stationary. You balance your items up the forklift (and you raise the wooden pallet up yourself) Then you must walk up stairs and hope their is a dolly available to wind precariously around tiny turning hallways. Budget carpentry and ancient carpet in the units. The trolleys sound and feel like their from 1980's and are either coached to disobey or they keep their own counsel. They say its secure but I had a neighbor pick something up and they weren't even asked for permission. I explicitly stated only I was to have access. They said they do not let it happen. The locks are your own, but the flip closure is attached by 3/4 wood screws easily and possibly quite quietly could be opened and emptied with no one batting an eye. A kid could detach it with anything. They have "24 hour security" which means a guy lives on site. Does he/she have CCTV access? Probably not, nor would you want that job. Are there motion sensors? Not likely as sometimes the lights won't turn on and finding a switch in the straggly wandering corridors is impossible. They do not offer insurance. You have to sign forms saying all the things you will and won't do, but they are not liable if anything happens: theft, fire, water, vandals, pests etcSo despite all those complaints, its still 4/5 only because of the prices.