At All Secure Storage, we offer moving truck rentals to assist your move! For those planning a DIY move, this is a great time and money saver. But are you unsure how to drive and pack a moving truck? For a quick guide to driving, packing, and loading a moving truck like a pro, read our tips below.
A Smooth Drive
Our moving trucks are not huge, but they aren’t small either. They’re made to make moving a simple experience for any DIY mover. If this is your first time renting a moving truck, or you need some moving truck driving reminders, follow these tips to make for a smoother driving experience during your move.
Drive slower and apply your brakes sooner. You want to begin braking sooner than normal as your truck weighs more than the average vehicle. When turning, give yourself extra room as your truck will cut corners more on turns. Keep this in mind especially on right turns. You don’t want to bump into any curbs! Make sure to back up slowly, and have a friend help guide you to safely back up the truck. If you’re ever in doubt, just remember to keep it slow and steady!
Stock Up on Supplies
Before packing up your moving truck, make sure you’re stocked up on packing supplies!
These supplies include sturdy boxes, plastic wrap, packing tape, furniture pads, moving blankets, mattress bags, and a dolly. Since your belongings may shift during the drive, all your items must be packed with the proper protection. This can mean adding moving blankets or padding to fill in gaps between your belongings and boxes. Another important supply you might want to bring and use are moving straps. These will help prevent your heaviest items from shifting during transit.
Remember to put and secure the heaviest items into the truck first!
Strategize Your Pack
To maximize space, distribute weight evenly, and prevent damage to your belongings, you’ll want to strategize the way you pack your truck. Here’s how to do it right.
- Disassemble your furniture. This will maximize space in your truck and can help distribute the weight of heavy furniture more evenly. For example, by removing the legs off your dining room table, you’ll be able to store the table upright without having to deal with the legs sticking out.
- Load the heaviest and largest items first. These should be placed closer to the cab and against the walls. This will include bed frames, tables, couches, chairs, appliances (like your fridge or washer/dryer), and mattresses. Place any headboards or tables in an upright, vertical position to save space.
- Distribute the weight evenly. This is one of the most important steps to packing a moving truck. Distributing the weight evenly will make it easier to control when driving down the road and will make it easier to load and unload your belongings. To double-check even weight distribution, make sure the heavier items are towards the cab and walls, medium items are on top of heavier items, and lighter items are at the very top and towards the front of the truck.
Make your moving day easy with All Secure Storage.
All Secure Storage Makes Moving Easy
With moving truck rentals and secure storage units available, we make moving day a snap! No matter if you’re in Montrose, Fruita, Grand Junction, or elsewhere in the Western Slope, we’ve got your storage and moving needs covered.
