Renting a Moving truck is an excellent option for a long-distance move. Many rental truck companies have a variety of vehicles and sizes to choose from. The best companies offer clear, straightforward pricing and policies.
Start by loading heavy items first, such as furniture and appliances. Then load boxes and suitcases. Remember to place rolled rugs upright and vertical to save space.
Packing
There are many ways to pack a moving truck, but the most important thing is to make sure you use all the proper packing supplies. This will protect your belongings from damage during the move and save you money on your rental. Some of the most important packing supplies include cardboard boxes, tape, furniture pads and paper padding. You should also make sure you have a large tarp to cover the floor of the truck.
Start by loading the heaviest items first. This includes couches, dressers, washers and dryers and other large pieces of furniture. These should be loaded near the front of the truck so that they don’t get jostled during transport. You should also try to stack them as high as possible, so that they don’t crush the lighter items underneath them.
After you’ve packed the heaviest items, start with medium and lightweight items. This includes moving boxes, small appliances and pictures. You should also pack kitchen appliances, bathroom items and any other things you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home.
Next, load wooden square furniture, such as night stands, dressers and tv stands. These should be loaded after the heavy boxes to distribute the weight evenly. Finally, pack rugs last. This will save space and prevent them from getting dirty during transit. Be sure to use furniture pads and mover’s wrap to protect the rugs from scratching wood surfaces.
Picking up the truck
When you’re ready to rent a moving truck, it’s important to consider several factors. These include your budget, the distance of the move and whether you want to rent a truck for a long or short term. Additionally, you should know how to drive a moving truck safely. If you’re not comfortable driving a large vehicle, it’s best to hire movers instead.
There’s nothing worse than renting a truck, loading it to the brim and realizing that it’s too small. To avoid this problem, you should rent a truck that’s the right size for your move. You should also check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage to see if it covers the cost of moving a large amount of items.
Once you’ve loaded the truck, make sure to distribute the weight evenly throughout the vehicle. A heavy load toward the back will affect the handling of the truck. It will also cause boxes to fall over. To prevent this, use the air ride suspension to help you keep the weight balanced on all four wheels.
Be sure to inform your employer about the change of address and forward all mail, including pay stubs, to your new address. You should also change your online shopping addresses so that any purchases you make won’t be shipped to your old address.
Driving the truck
Driving a moving truck is a little different than driving an average car, but with the proper instructions, you can safely drive your rental truck for the trip to your new home. First, you should get familiar with the controls of the truck, including the parking brake and lights. You also need to learn how to use the truck’s mirrors, which are especially important for large trucks with blind spots.
Next, you should drive cautiously and obey speed limits. You should also slow down when driving in bad weather or on bumpy roads. It takes a lot more force and distance to bring a fully loaded truck to a stop than an ordinary vehicle, so it is important to begin braking sooner.
When turning, you should leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front. This is important because a truck can easily shift cargo during a turn. Additionally, it is a good idea to ask the rental company about the truck’s optimum fuel economy.
Finally, you should plan your route ahead of time and mark any rest areas you might need to stop at on the way. This can help you avoid traffic during rush hour or other busy times. You should also plan for any long drives that might require an overnight stop.
Unloading
One of the most important parts of a moving experience is unloading the truck. It is crucial to follow proper procedures in order to avoid damage to your belongings and ensure that your items arrive safely at their new home. Whether you’re a DIY mover or hiring a professional, these tips will help you unload the truck properly.
Start loading the heavy items first, such as appliances and large furniture pieces. These should be positioned against the walls of the truck and covered with a tarp or blanket to prevent them from getting dented or dinged during transport. Next, you should fill in the gaps with lighter boxes and other items. This will make the load more stable and will prevent your items from shifting during transport. Make sure that you label all the boxes with their corresponding room in your new home, and use colorful ribbons or pieces of paper to mark which box goes where.
Lastly, be sure to keep children and pets out of the way during this process. This will help you focus on the task at hand and will keep everyone safe. Additionally, it will help you to unload the truck faster. This will save you time and money in the long run. If you have a lot of small boxes, you can use plastic shrink wrap to protect them from damage.