The art of the stack: How to pack a moving truck

In 2023, 12.1% of the US population moved households. This shows that many people have recently had to deal with the demanding task of transporting their belongings to another location. And if one does not know how to pack a moving truck, the process can easily turn into an error-prone and time-consuming endeavor.

As such, if you’re about to relocate soon, this guide can help you become well-versed in loading your possessions onto a vehicle; it outlines the tools you’ll need, the steps to follow, and other considerations for your move.

Preparing for the move

Here are some things to prepare and take note of before you start loading your possessions onto a moving van or truck.

Gather the right supplies

Eco-friendly packing supplies when moving, featuring kraft paper and protective peanuts

The moving process will be smooth sailing if you have the right tools. To ensure you don’t forget anything important, create a checklist before gathering all the necessary packing supplies.

Plan your packing strategy

Organisation is the name of the game if you want the entire moving operation to run smoothly. By using a spreadsheet, an app, or even your smartphone’s camera, you can create a visual list of the items packed in every box or bag. Don’t forget to label every container for easy identification, too. Moreover, you should measure your large items, such as furniture and appliances, to ensure that they all fit within the truck’s floor space.

Understand the layout of the moving truck

Open moving truck layout showing packed blankets and cardboard boxes

Before you start loading a cargo van or a vehicle you rented from a moving truck rental company, plan where the boxes and objects will be placed based on their size, weight, and fragility.

Following this strategy can help keep your items secure and the truck stable during transport:

Step-by-step guide to loading a moving truck

Learn how to load a moving truck by following the steps laid out below:

Start with the heaviest items

In order to distribute weight evenly in the truck, heavy furniture and appliances, like dining tables, sofas, and washing machines, should be loaded first, together with large packing boxes.

Don’t forget to follow safety measures—such as using lifting aids, observing proper posture, and not twisting your back—when handling these objects.

Create a stable base

Heavy items, after being loaded onto a truck, should be placed on the floor to ensure a stable base for the objects that will be stacked on top. You can utilize moving blankets, furniture pads, and straps to avoid damage and movement during relocation.

Stack strategically

Strategically fill the van or truck’s storage space by stacking lighter boxes or bins, as well as your fragile belongings, on top of heavier objects. You can also keep things snug by inserting smaller, non-fragile items into the empty spaces.

Secure each layer

Make sure every layer is secure using packing straps, tie-downs, and ropes. Before moving on to the next layer, check that each strap is properly fastened and tight.

Special considerations for different items

Here are more specific tips for packing a moving truck to ensure your furniture, appliances, and fragile and awkwardly shaped items will reach your destination in one piece.

Packing furniture

Two Taskers packing and moving furniture inside a sunlit living room

To maximize a truck’s limited space, you can disassemble furniture like coffee tables, desks, and shelving units. You can also take apart big pieces like bed frames and headboards.

Before transporting furniture along with your other possessions, don’t forget to wrap and thoroughly secure each item. You should also pack and label all the bolts and nuts that come with them to make reassembly more manageable.

Moving appliances

As stated above, large appliances like fridges should be among the first items loaded onto a moving truck due to their size and weight. To prevent damage—which can lead to pricey repair or replacement—appliances during transport must always be upright and tightly fastened.

Handling fragile items

Tasker loading fragile items into a moving truck

Swaddle small and medium-sized fragile objects in packing paper or similar materials before placing them in boxes or bins. It is crucial to label these canisters as fragile and position them on top of heavy objects to prevent damage.

If you’re also moving breakable items like a full-body mirror with a stand, don’t forget to use bubble wrap for cushioning and place them against the truck’s wall.

Dealing with awkwardly shaped items

Filling a moving truck with boxes is like playing Tetris. But when oddly shaped items are involved, the task becomes more complicated.

Depending on their fragility, size, and weight, these items can be used to fill gaps, placed on the topmost layer, temporarily disassembled, or stored in boxes. If necessary, they should also be wrapped in protective material.

Tips for a smooth loading process 

Learn some more ways that can make the loading process go without hiccups:

Use the lift ramp effectively

Aside from observing the proper lifting technique when carrying heavy items, you can also pack larger objects onto a moving truck with a lift ramp.

Before using this equipment, make sure that its incline is not too steep, its stability is not compromised, and its size meets your needs. Once you’re sure that the ramp’s properly placed, you can wheel a loaded dolly forward onto it at a normal pace. 

Enlisting a partner when using a lift ramp is also wise, as you can be warned and assisted in case something goes wrong.

Work as a team

Two Taskers working together to transport packed boxes from a house

The best way to load a moving truck is to do it with someone. Working as a team can lighten your load—both literally and figuratively—and make the process faster and safer.

Whether you’re asking family, friends, or professionals for help to load a moving truck, you should give them enough time before the move to prepare and plan their day.

Take breaks and stay safe

It’s important to take short and long breaks in between all the heavy lifting and packing; give yourself time to rest, hydrate, and eat to recover and avoid fatigue. You should also take the time to learn the right way to lift and push loads to prevent injuries and accidents.

Unloading the moving truck

After your local or cross-country move, it’s time to take out your possessions from your loaded moving truck and bring them to your new place.

Plan the unloading order

Unload the smaller things first, particularly those closest to the door and on the topmost layer. This will make it easier for you to take out the larger appliances or pieces of furniture.

After being unloaded, each item or box should be placed in its intended room for easy organisation and unpacking. This also avoids doing the extra work of hauling things again.

Inspect for damage

After unloading and unpacking all your things, begin checking for dents, scratches, and other damage, especially on electronics, wooden and upholstered furniture, and fragile items.

You can address any damage by hiring a pro or by going the DIY route, such as using a repair kit or wood markers.

Spare yourself from tedious packing with Airtasker

Tasker securing a box with packing tape before transport

Even if you know how to pack a moving truck, hiring loaders and unloaders is always the easier option, despite the cost. And when you engage with moving experts on Airtasker, you’re sure to find someone with the right tools and experience for the job. 

After signing up and posting on the platform, sit back and wait for taskers to reach out to you. You can review their client feedback and ratings to find the one who can help with your short- or long-distance move.