The Preliminaries
Single Sofa Bed Chair
It all starts with proper packing... and proper packaging. Boxes should be double walled, and if they are all the same size, stacking is facilitated.
Single Sofa Bed Chair
You should resist the temptation to scrounge old boxes from your local supermarket. These boxes (apart from wine boxes) are flimsy, and designed so that when stacked, the contents support the weight... not the walls of the box.
As much as possible should be boxed up, to allow neat and stable stacking on the van. They should be of appropriate size: No larger than a twelve bottle wine case for books and breakables, and up to three times that size for clothes.
Boxes should be closed flat and securely taped up, and should be of a comfortable lifting weight.
You will need some blankets to avoid scratching vulnerable surfaces, and strapping material to tie heavy furniture to the walls of the truck. Professional movers use web straps, but any sewing shop will sell you lengths of hem liner... good enough for your one off move.
If you are renting a truck... remember to check out its tyres. You really do not want to be changing a wheel on a heavy laden truck on the side of the road.
Think about the laden weight of the van, particularly if you have a lot of books. Remember that only 25 wine boxes of books could weigh a ton... The use a car to take even half your books could keep you within safe limits... and the law.
Loading
It is usual to start loading a van with boxes...if only to make room in the property being emptied. However if the truck you are using has a parcel shelf over the driver's cab, this space can be used to stow light items... cuddly toys cushions from sofas, bedding or light furniture.
One trick is to build a wall of boxes against the bulkhead of the van, up to the level of the parcel shelf. This extends the width of the parcel shelf and dissipates the weight of items stowed on it, so that beds and mattresses can be stowed out of the way. Light boxes go on top of heavy ones.
Large items such as wardrobes, fridges and sofas are loaded early and thought should be given to all large pictures and mirrors. These may require strapping to a wall.
Here is one idea: You could put them behind a wardrobe if its crown overlaps the piece and there is a crush-proof gap between the back of the wardrobe and the wall of the van. Use the space inside a wardrobe to store light items like bedding.
Take your time to re-assess the loading order and procedure.
Constantly strive to preserve the neatness of the stacking, and make sure you use all the height of the truck. Keep Heavy items on the floor and set aside suitable light ones to use higher up. Try to load towards the back of the truck from the floor to the ceiling. Only use up new floor space reluctantly: If you start loading as if every inch is needed; You will get more onto the van...and the load should be more stable..
As much as possible should be dismantled... Table legs can be unbolted and cots dismantled. Do not begrudge the time this takes as loading will be much easier and more efficient.
Chests of drawers, washing machines, and filing cabinets are all used as platforms to put other stackable items on... Place them together to make a single platform.
Sofas can be stood up and strapped to the wall... take off the feet inside the house.
If you take the metal frame out of a Sofa bed... usually 4 bolts, the piece becomes easier to handle, and less prone to damage.
With all your large items boxes and neatly stackable items on the truck, it is time for the last items... the un-stackable items.
These include the kitchen chairs, standing lights, ironing boards and plants for example.
The TV and computer need special mention. Ideally they should be padded and boxed, but at a pinch, if you save cushions or bedding for padding, a suitable corner will present itself: on a padded chair or under table. If you place a TV on the floor of the van use some padding to protect it from the bumps in the road.
Have a safe move!
How to Load a Self Drive Moving Truck For Your Small Move
Single Sofa Bed Chair
Wooden Daybed Frame Latex Natural Mattress
