Loading Basics
 The task of loading a truck with all of your belongings makes for a busy day
or two. If you've managed to get most of your goods properly
packed in advance, you'll have a much easier time when it comes to loading.
Many companies
will offer to send a videotape with loading advice. Take advantage
of this. The more you can understand about the loading process before
you actually have to perform it, the better off you'll be.
First, try
to establish a staging area where you can bring a large amount
of your goods to be easily ready for loading. If you think of loading
as putting together a big jigsaw puzzle, you'll understand why this is
important. Imagine having the pieces of a puzzle scattered all over your
house. Whenever you see a gap that you want to fill, searching the house
for it will slow you down terribly. If you have a handy pile of pieces,
you can finish much more quickly. The same goes with loading the truck
(your big jigsaw puzzle).
Your choice
of staging area will be influenced by security concerns and the weather. Pick a spot you feel comfortable with and start to fill it with items
from which to select to fill every nook and cranny.
Keep in mind
which items are heavy and sturdy so that you can stack others
on top of them. The lightest items and those that cannot support much
weight should be placed on top for protection from crushing.
Loading boxes
should be relatively simple. The odd-shaped items such as bicycles,
chairs, lawnmowers, grills and others will give you the most difficulty.
Click here for advice on some specific objects.
Packing is
also the time to take precautions against scratches and dings. The best protection against scratches is the use of a good, thick moving
blanket. Remember that scratches and abrasions are caused by objects moving
against each other. A good blanket will prevent items from coming into
direct contact, greatly minimizing the chances for scratches. Many items
may need to be wrapped in more than one blanket, so get as many as you
can.
If you cannot
get blankets for all of your furniture, you can also make use
of wrapping film. This is plastic cling wrap that can be wrapped around
items again and again. By itself it cannot equal the protection of a blanket,
but will help to prevent minor scratches from light contact with other
items. It is also handy to secure blankets to items to ensure they don't
slip off in transit and leave your items unprotected.
The bottom
line is to pack your truck solidly to avoid shifting of items
during transit and to ensure you don't injure yourself or others in the
process.
 Helpful
Hints
- You're
paying for the space in the truck so try to use every bit of it. Without jeopardizing personal safety or risking damage to your goods,
try to stack right to the roof.
- A sturdy
ladder or two and a lot of rope and bungees will help immensely
when trying to stack a stable load.
- Moving
thousands of pounds of belongings is very physically demanding. Pace yourself and recruit help to avoid injury and damage to your goods
or the truck. If you have any health issues or concerns, see a doctor
before embarking on this adventure.
- Check the
weather a few days out so you know what to expect. Remember
that ramps can get VERY slippery when wet.
- Don't forget
gloves. Ensure they have a good grip to avoid dropping items.
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