When moving, getting a truck rental can be a cost-efficient alternative to hiring professional movers. However, it can be challenging to pack the truck like the experts, especially when you're new to this task. Here's what you should know about loading a moving container to maximize the available space and prevent damage to your belongings during transit.

How to Pack Your Truck Rental

1. Distribute the Weight

If the truck's load is not evenly distributed, its container may tip over. This also makes it harder to control the vehicle when driving. When planning the layout of your container, avoid loading one side with heavy items and aim to keep the overall weight even throughout the cab.

2. Disassemble Bulky Objects

Save space in the truck rental by taking apart bulky items where possible. Dismantle tables, beds, cabinets, dressers, and couches to occupy less space and distribute weight more evenly in the truck. Keep the disassembled parts together or near the main piece to avoid losing them. For bulky items that can’t be deconstructed, store smaller items inside, under, or on top of them.

3. Load Strategically

Avoid putting stuff inside the truck rental haphazardly; instead, load items in tiers. Begin with the heaviest and largest objects, such as bed frames, headboards, mattresses, couches, dressers, chest drawers, and appliances. Put them at the bottom and the sides of the container. Then, slowly fill up the space from side to side, floor to ceiling, and front to back. Always put lighter items on top to prevent them from being crushed.

4. Protect Your Items

Remember to protect surfaces and items that can be scratched, chipped, or dented by covering them in pads, old blankets, and cardboard. Another way to minimize damage is to shrinkwrap fragile belongings before loading them onto the container.

5. Secure with Straps

Prevent your belongings from shifting, sliding, and falling while in transit by securing them with straps, ropes, or even bungee cords. Tightly strap your items inside one section at a time to ensure they’re already secured before moving on to the next.  

When it's time to pack up your stuff and move, Affordable Lock Box can help. Located in Texarkana, AR, they offer a wide range of top-notch solutions, from storage lockers to U-haul® truck rentals, to help customers move and store their belongings. Call (870) 773-7606 or view their complete offerings online.