How to Properly Pack a Moving Van

When it comes to moving, there are many things that can be stressful or even a bit confusing. That is where our professional moving company comes in. Our experts at Heroes Moving and Storage have plenty of experience in helping make moving less stressful and confusing. We are a full-service moving company that offers residential and commercial moving, pack and load services, and more. 

In our years of service to the community, we have learned how packing a moving truck can make all the difference in the vibe of the move. Below we have put together some tips on how to properly pack a moving van.

Tips for How to Pack and Load a Moving Van

There can be a lot of questions about a moving truck, like, “What do movers load first?” “Will I be able to fit everything?” or “Is there a special order that our stuff should be packed?” Well, our professional movers are here to help guide you through the process of creating a properly packed moving van. 

Tip #1 Make Sure the Van Is the Right Size

Choosing the right size van is one of the most important decisions in this process. If the van is the wrong size, then it can greatly affect the amount of labor needed, not to mention mileage and gas if multiple trips are needed. 

To figure out what size van you’ll need, think about what furniture you need to move and the size and quantity of the boxes you’re using. 

Pro tip: As a rule of thumb, allocate about 200 cubic feet of truck space for each room you are moving. This means that a smaller 8-foot pickup will be perfect for a small studio apartment, while a 26-foot truck will work better for 3 to 4-bedroom houses.

Tip #2 Packing Guide

Here are some tips for packing the truck:

• Pack and load the moving truck as efficiently as possible. Keep items compact and small, if possible, while evenly distributing the weight.
• Disassemble any large or bulky furniture, like headboards and bed frames. It also helps to remove the legs from tables and dressers before loading them into a van.
• Since larger items can’t be boxed, they should be wrapped in moving blankets or other protective material to prevent damage during the move.
• Buy mattress bags to keep the mattresses safer.
• Roll up area rugs (carefully to avoid cracks in the back) and wrap them in plastic or put them in a large plastic bag.
• Do the best you can to sort your boxes and items into size categories. This will make the process a little easier and more efficient.

Tip #3 Loading a Moving Truck

Once you are packed and ready to go, it’s time to put it all inside the moving truck. First things first. If you choose to opt out of using professional movers, get as much help as you can. Once you have enough hands, you can get started.

Think about the truck in sections:

• The back of the truck (near the driver) is best for heavier items. 
• The middle is for medium-sized items and furniture.
• The front near the door is good for smaller and lighter items and boxes.

You should work from back to front, loading the heaviest stuff first. This means furniture and other larger items should go first. To save space, thin items like mirrors and rugs can fit into smaller spaces to keep everything snug and protected. If you are planning to put your suitcases in the moving truck as well, then they should be the very last thing added. You will probably need to access them quickly once you get to your new home.

Contact Heroes Moving and Storage today for more moving tips and to learn more about how we can help with your next move.