How to pack a moving truck (U-Haul, towing, cheaper, pods)

[southernlady5464]

Actually I watched the moving company pack ours just 6 weeks ago. This is how it went in.

Boxes across the bottom, light stuff on top, fitting in little stuff in the holes created. Furniture went in even before all the boxes were in. They were using the boxes basically as a perimeter to all the furniture. I saw the put boxes in the seats of chairs, they would turn tables upside down and put boxes in there, small boxes went inside bookcases turned sideways. So putting ALL your boxes in first actually leaves too much open space in the furniture and could cause breakage.

And periodically they would use ties to anchor everything before the next section. Liz

[donsabi]

Buy a large piece of poster board. Using a ratio of 1'=1" layout the size of whatever moving truck you are using. Measure the major items you need to move and make cut-outs from the poster board. Boxes can be grouped as one item. Then just keep playing with the lay out until you develop a plan. At one time I was going to rent a 24' truck but after laying it out I found I could get away with a 16'.
I always put essentials in a cooler, DUCT TAPE, tools, rope, roll of TP, first aid, whatever. It rides in the front or the back of the trunk. Upon arrival it can be emptied and used for ice.
Lowes has rolls of clear plastic, two sizes. This is great from wrapping everything. Keeps drawers from coming opened unwantly, waterproffs, holds loose stuff together, i.e. fishing rods. Much better than string or rope.
Don

[netmarket]

Originally Posted by wdwmom2

Ok were making the big move from florida to Austin. were renting a 26 foot moving truck towing a car. now here is the tricky part we havent moved in like 10 years and never with two kids and so much stuff! what is the best way to pack a truck like this basically we have mostly boxes, were also brining a large couch, a desk, a king bed and matteress, a dreser and the rest are mostly boxes. any suggestions? websites? how can we pack the truck so its safe and everything stays put for the long haul?

I was researching today and found this resource maybe its worth it for you:
Consumer Guider to Storage Boxes-Storage Boxes

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by clawson26

I always try to spread the heaviest boxes evenly so the weight is spread out. I also lay the box springs down with the mattress on top so I can put the fragile boxes, tv's etc on top of the mattress to absorb some of the shock. I load the rest of the boxes first because you can put them together like a puzzle so nothing shifts. I also rent the blankets like from uhaul so I can wrap the furniture to avoid scratches. I load the furniture last and put light boxes or odds and ends on top. Most trucks have tie off points on the walls so I use rope or twine to tie off anything that might shift. I think the most important thing is to have everything packed tight and at the same height so nothing shifts or falls. The first time I moved years ago I had empty space at the back of the truck so I just left it empty. Really dumb move! Boxes were all dumped into the empty spot and stuff got broken. I also always pack candles, wine, etc into the vehicle I am pulling because it is less likely to get broken there and you can leave the windows cracked so it doesn't get too hot inside. (I have moved in the South in the summer a lot)
If you are going to spend the night somewhere along the way or sleep before you unload I would put all heat sensitive items in the towing car so you can take them into the hotel with you or the house when you get to Austin. I also pack two seperate boxes with two of everything (or four in your case) towels, plates, silverware, clothes, soap, cleaning supplies, shower curtain, snacks, dvd's for the kids in case cable isn't ready, telephone, and coffee maker etc, anything I will need the first day or two so I don't wind up having to root through boxes at 2:00 am so I can shower and get some rest. I usually take the first two days at a new place to do things like paper the kitchen cabinets and CLEAN the house like crazy so if I pack a couple of "necessity" boxes I don't have to dig through boxes as much. I can't really think of anything else but if you have questions....

Thanks! Great idea on NECESSITY BOXES. I'm not sure I would have thought of that!

[Fruitarian]

Use towels and pillows to fill the boxes up if they are partially empty or contain breakables. This keeps boxes from getting too heavy and allows you to safely stack them on top of each other without breaking the items inside or crushing the box tops.

Move plants or other tippy items in crates, so they don't spill or fall over.

Pack cabinet and drawer items in one box so when you unpack, everything can go back into it's original storage area.

Use black felt markers and make an exhaustive list of what's in each box, not just "boys bedroom" to make it easier to locate things when you get there.

Good luck!

[Juice13610]

All the big stuff in first, throw your little crap on top. Pack wisely or you will pay the price on move-in. Bathroom things should stay in one box, kitchen in another, etc. We moved 80 miles in less than 12 hours, but unpacking was a bit of a nightmare because we went thruogh the house in a whirlwind and threw everything in Wal Mart bags. lol

[Scholar]

We just helped someone move. One of the guys (who also just moved) read Packing for Dummies, so he directed the move. That moving truck was crammed full, and not one thing moved or got broken!

[wankel7]

I used all of my cloths to wrap the breakable stuff. It worked and nothing broke.

Oh, and if you rent a truck that is diesel you can get a discount on diesel at the truck stops if you pay cash. Normally, its 5 or 10 cents a gallon off.

[tyeebeacon]

Where can I find cheap used furniture blankets. Also, has anyone used quilts or blankets to wrap their furniture? I will be hiring 3 men to help me load my 26 ft Penske to move from upstate NY to MS

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by tyeebeacon

Where can I find cheap used furniture blankets. Also, has anyone used quilts or blankets to wrap their furniture? I will be hiring 3 men to help me load my 26 ft Penske to move from upstate NY to MS

Maybe a Goodwill or a Salvation Army?

We are making move too-interesting, informative thread! Thanks!

I am thinking about a POD or ABF U pack. Although it is not extremely cheap, we won't have to drive it so it beats putting gas in two vehicles and worrying about them.

Experience with this anyone? I have read many threads on the PODs, but I am always interested in more. The Penske was about $1800. then with gas about another $2,000. The POD is about $2,850. Seems like a no brainer to me. That is for an 8 footer. But I measured my sofa and it is 8 feet so I think I need a 10.