By Relocation.com Staff
If you're moving stuff into self-storage, you need to know how to load a moving van, and then pack those items into storage. Most people are unfamiliar with how to do this; we'll bring you up to speed, saving you a few bucks and a sore back. Many of the same tips apply to packing your storage facility.
The first piece of advice: Always have enough help so you don't damage your items or hurt yourself. And don't play the super hero: heavier items such as sofas and dresses require the right number of people to lift and move.
Pack It Right:
Make sure the moving boxes are fully packed: full from side to side and top to bottom. If you have empty space, fill it with paper so the boxes don't get crushed if other items are stacked on top of them.
To save time and make your move more efficient, have everything you need to load your truck before you begin the actual loading.
Have enough padded materials on hand to wrap furniture to protect them. Wrapping furniture makes it easier to load tightly in the truck without hurting it. You should always aim to load stuff tightly to prevent items jostling against one another during the move. Couches must be stretch-wrapped to protect from soiling, or punctures; the same process applies for mattresses and other soft items.
Loading Process:
* Always start loading at the front of the rental truck or van and work toward the back. (In your storage unit, be sure you keep items you might need to access at the front of the unit, ie, put into storage last.)
* Stack items from floor to ceiling just like you're putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Every space needs to be filled so no items shift during transportation. Boxes should be used as filler for open spaces.
* It may be necessary to disassemble some things to ensure safe transport, such as removing legs from tables, in order to load the shipment tightly.
* Put heavy items lower, with lighter items on top.
* Sofas and some other pieces may be placed on their ends to achieve a tightly loaded truck, but you will need to be sure to place the items next to items that will not cause damage.
* If you don't fill the entire truck, secure the back of your shipment with loading straps or other materials to keep things from sliding.
* Don't scoot or drag items in the truck because you may damage sofa legs, table legs, dresser bottoms, and the like.