How to pack your Uhaul on moving day

I've helped a lot of people move. Some haven't packed. Some put everything in black trash bags. Some don't label anything. Others mix breakables (e.g.-glassware, plates, albums, picture frames, jewelry, etc.) with heavy items. There are some awkward pieces--don't ask. Oh, and my favorite: "I know you're halfway down packing the truck, but there's something I just remembered..." Here's how to pack a UHaul or any other truck--just so everyone's on the same page. Terry Moving and Storage can help you with all of your moving needs.

Things You'll Need:

Boxes
Permanent Marker
Duct Tape
Gloves
Old Tennis shoes
Flat head screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Bucket
Blankets
Large trash bags
Appliance dolly

Instructions:

1. Move as much stuff as you can by yourself (e.g.-breakables, little stuff, paintings, pillows, mirrors, plants, etc.). This helps reduce clutter and makes for a faster move. You can also plan a good route and get an idea of what the "Move" is going to be like.
2. Line up the heavy boxes closest to the door (lightest boxes farthest away).
3. Load heavy boxes first. Spread the weight around so the truck doesn't tip when you go around corners, etc. Think of this as a big game of Tetris. The heavy boxes should be the bottom layer of this cake.
4. Next, load the medium weight boxes on top of the heavy boxes. Remember to save space for the furniture and appliances.
5. Now, load the lightest boxes on top of the other boxes. At this point, you may want to load couches, washer and dryer next to the boxes. Fill all the spaces so nothing shifts in transit.
6. Typically, the back of the couch goes against one wall of the truck on one side (you can fill the seats with boxes, TV, etc.). On the other side, you can put the washer/dryer or dresser, etc. Fill the space in between these items with the bed stuff (e.g.-frame, mattress, box frame, head board, etc.).
7. If the moving truck has no top, strap everything down with rope. You can use a tarp to cover the front half of the stuff. If there is a top, you can now load the chairs, clothing, pillows, cushions, drawers, lamps, and any other knick knacks on top of what you've got in there.
8. Lock it up and move it out! Once you arrive at your destination, unload everything in reverse order. Be careful when you open the truck as contents may have shifted. Happy moving!

Tips & Warnings:
-Here are some tips before you start the moving madness, disconnect the washer and dryer. You'll need to drain the water in the washer; so, take the black hose in the back out of the drain pipe and put it in the bucket. Use the flat head screwdriver and/or wrench to loosen up any connections.
-Make sure your boxes are packed with heaviest items at the bottom. Make sure the boxes are filled so nothing shifts during the move. Tape the boxes up good.
-Take the cushions out of the couches and move those last.
-Dis-assemble your bed, fold everything up and put it all aside.
-Get a bunch of dry cleaner bags (the clear ones your clothes are wrapped in when you pick them up) and sack all your hang up clothes (large trash bags will work too--just poke the hangar hook through the bottom of the bag and wrap it up)
-Use paper towels to wrap breakables individually (so nothing scratches). Then, use newspaper or Styrofoam peanuts to cushion the breakables in the boxes.
-Dis-assemble breakables as much as possible and wrap individually as mentioned above. Some breakables are more vulnerable put together than not.
-Pull out the drawers from all furniture and move the drawers last.
-Empty your furniture (e.g.-Cabinets, chests, dressers, desks, end tables, etc.) of their contents. You may find our long lost pen.
-Use blankets to cover the furniture/glass/paintings/TV once you load a piece onto the moving truck so nothing scratches.
-You're not He-Man (or She-Ra), don't move heavy or awkward stuff by yourself.
-Move at dawn. Hot weather sucks. Something always goes wrong. Movers/helpers are always late. Etc.
-Reserve the moving truck for the day. One person I know reserved the truck for just the morning. Guess what?
-Ask specifically about the refueling policy when you return the truck. No sense paying for gas the moving company won't reimburse you for.
-Donuts, juice and water go a long way. No one needs to die and everyone likes to feel appreciated.

Use Terry Moving and Storage for your relocation needs.

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