1. The first thing that should be loaded into the truck is boxes. The rear of the truck is flat and you should build walls as you move forward. While some people say that you should load the heavy things first, it is much better for space efficiency if you load boxes and strap them down as you go. Each ‘wall’ of boxes will reduce the size of the truck, but leave a wide open space for things that will take up room or an odd area.
2. Evenly distribute the heavy things on either side of the truck. Appliances are the biggest thing to worry about, and it is important to keep them on both sides of the truck in order to reduce the chance of tipping over while you are driving the truck. Load things against the walls in order to use the space that you have left efficiently.
3. Slide pictures and mirrors between walls and mattresses in order to protect them. While you should still wrap such delicate things, you can give them maximum protection from shifting by doing this. It also allows you to use the space that you have left more efficiently, and it will keep them from having things stacked on top of them.
4. Load couches and other long items on end to make the best use of the height of the truck. This also prevents things from being loaded on top of these items, preventing damage that might occur to them when boxes or other heavy things are placed on top of them for the duration of the trip.
5. Take apart tables or stack things under them. This is another way to use space efficiently so that you load something into every corner that is open in the truck. Usually, it is best to take such furniture apart to reduce the chance of damage, but these things can also be wrapped and placed carefully into a corner of the truck.
6. Use shelves on bookshelves and other furniture to place fragile boxes that cannot be stacked with the other items. This will prevent these boxes from being damaged, and it will keep your space efficiency at its max.
7. Strap everything down as you go. There are straps and hooks on the walls of the truck and you should put them to good use as you load. Strapping things in sections will provide much more stability than if you were to simply strap it all down at the end. Keep this in mind as you go.

There is no exact science to loading a moving truck rental, but these tips can help you get started when you are moving yourself. Keep this list handy for when you are loading your own moving truck, and always remember that safety comes first.

Packing

Packing and combining everything that you own into boxes that can be easily moved is the first intensive step in moving after you have decided on what method of relocation you want to use. Depending on the way you pack, you can either save or spend money. Consider the fact that most moving companies offer packing services, but they will charge you for the various materials that they use. This is a cost that you can very easily avoid.

Purchasing your own boxes and packing materials is another way to pack, but again, you will be spending money on a cost that could be avoided. Instead, consider the use of recycled moving boxes to facilitate your move. There are a couple of different ways to find these boxes, but no matter how you find them, you are sure to save hundreds of dollars in moving expenses.

Finding Boxes

So where do you find recycled moving boxes for your one way truck rental move? One of the most common methods of finding said boxes is to simply visit a local grocery store and ask them if you can have their old boxes. Some stores now recycle their own boxes, but most stores are happy to give you some. Instead of having to dispose of them, these stores can hand off the responsibility to you, which is a deal that benefits everyone. Best of all, these boxes are free, you simply need to transport them home.

Another place to find recycled moving boxes is by looking in your local newspaper. Chances are, someone near you has moved recently and will need to get rid of the boxes that they used. Sometimes there is a small charge for them, but usually people are simply happy to get them out of their homes. You can easily drive to their house to pick them up and without spending much time or money, you will have enough packing materials for your own relocation.

Saving with Economy Truck Rental

Moving with an economy truck rental enables you to save money, both by not having to pay for professional movers and because you can cut costs by using things such as recycled moving boxes. As you can see, moving for less is possible, if you follow the right path.

1. Dish Soap – Did you know that this soap can be hazardous when mixed with other chemicals or substances in temperatures that are easily obtained in the back of a cheap moving truck? Make sure that you avoid packing your soap, and simply purchase a new bottle when you arrive at your destination.

2. Cleaners – Much like dish soap, they can give off fumes or even cause fire in the back of the vehicle. Remember, temperatures back there can rise well over 100 degrees in a very short period of time, causing some chemicals to turn into harmful and even fatal gasses.

3. Paints – Most household paint is not safe to breathe and is considered toxic anyways. There are special disposal rules that one must follow when getting rid of such items. Because they are hazardous, it is illegal to transport them in a cheap truck rental.

4. Lighter Fluids and Paint Thinners – Acidic chemicals and highly flammable substances should never be transported in the back of a truck, where high temperatures can cause them to combust and burn.

5. Batteries – Car batteries, as well as smaller equivalents, do not transport well in the back of a hot truck. These items can leak, causing injury and burns, as well as becoming a big fire hazard throughout the trip.

6. Fertilizer – Another highly flammable substance, fertilizer should never be kept in hot conditions, especially over the course of a long trip. Make sure that you do not load your gardening chemicals in the back of the truck.

7. Fireworks – This should be a no brainer, as these items are just pure explosives. You can become seriously injured and cause fire by transporting these in the back of a moving truck.

8. Ammunition – Another no brainer here. Not only is this a dangerous item to move, but the heat in the rear of the truck can make it deadly. Make sure that such items are only transported in a cool and air conditioned car, and that they are kept separated from any firearms that you may also be moving with.

9. Lighters and matches – Such items are made to be flammable, and the heat that builds up in the back of a truck can cause explosions or fire throughout a long trip. Make sure that these items do not find their way into your moving boxes.

10. Automotive fluids – Many automotive fluids are corrosive, flammable, or hazardous. It is important, to avoid fire and leakage, that you do not include these in the things that you are moving with your cheap moving truck.

Use Boxes

One of the most important things that you can remember is the fact that moving boxes provide protection for your things. They are totally enclosed and generally quite strong. Making sure to reinforce the bottoms with tape will only make them stronger. This will ensure that your things make it to their destination in one piece. Remember to use padding to help further protect breakables and things that can easily break.

Large or Special Items

Packing furniture and expensive items should be handled differently, as they either cannot fit into boxes or they cannot be readily replaced. The best thing that you can do for expensive items such as electronics is to use the boxes that they originally came in. Since these items were made to fit in these boxes, it is always better to repack them there. Furniture should be wrapped with bubble wrap and blankets to prevent damage that can occur during shipment.

Hazardous Materials

There is a long list of items that simply cannot be shipped. Some of these items include paint, flammable liquids, poisonous substances, and other things. Make sure that you check the list that the truck rental company provides you with before you pack things. You may be surprised to see what is on the list. For example, cleaning supplies and dish soap are considered hazardous, and thus, cannot be shipped by law. Doing so may result in damage to you, the truck, or your other things.

Loading Boxes

Loading your boxes is probably the simplest part of the loading process. You may want to consider renting a hand truck to do the hard work for you. Make sure to put your boxes along the walls of the truck to allow room for other items that will be loaded later. You don’t want to block off any space with boxes that can be used. Consider this like building a wall, and stack boxes into every available space along the way.

Loading Furniture

Furniture is usually large and bulky, which means that it will take up some extra space in the moving truck rental. Make sure that the items are well protected, and consider placing them on end. This can help save space and prevent damage. For example, placing a couch on end will use all of the space in that area of the truck up to the ceiling. It will also prevent damage to the couch that may occur when other items are stacked on top of it. By placing it on end, you are making sure that nothing is put on the cushions or armrests.

Other Tips

No matter how much or how little you are moving, remember to take breaks and keep the lifting safe. Bend at the knees instead of the waist, and do not be afraid to ask for help. Avoiding injury to yourself and others should be one of your main concerns when you use a moving truck rental for your move.

Glassware and Dishes

Packing breakable and fragile items can be a harrowing experience. You want to make sure to pack these items so that they don’t break when the box is shifted or moved while you are relocating. In order to do this, you need to get special boxes that protect these items. Dish boxes are made from very thick cardboard, so they are less prone to damage and crushing. You need to get plain newsprint to wrap the dishes individually so that they do not get scratched.

Cell kits partition a box into various smaller spaces. Use a cell kit to pack each glass individually. Make sure to wrap each item individually before placing it in the cell kit. This will ensure the upmost protection for each one of your items in the box. Some cell kits come with foam pouches that you can place valuables in. If wrapping glasses and other breakables is a concern, then make sure to get a kit that includes foam pouches.

Heavy Items and Clothes

Packing heavy items can be difficult because of the size and weight behind them. You also need to make sure that you have boxes that will withstand the crushing force of anything stacked on top of them. Whether you are getting a truck rental or hiring professional movers, most of your boxes will have something stacked on top of them.

Make sure that you limit the weight of these heavy boxes. Using many smaller boxes is usually a lot better than using one or two big boxes. This will save you and any moving help from getting lifting related injuries. Get special clothing boxes to pack your clothing so that you can limit the weight and make sure that your wardrobe makes it to your destination neatly. There are hanging wardrobe and flat clothing boxes on the market today.

A Variety of Other Boxes

There are many other types of boxes that have been specifically developed to meet your needs. You can choose to use any number of small, medium, large, or extra large boxes to pack normal household items. You can use electronic boxes to handle your DVD player or other things, and you can find file boxes that allow you to transport your hanging files in a hanging manner. Mirror boxes are specially designed to protect a mirror or glass framed picture. These two part boxes are unique in design and can save your mirrors and pictures from breakage.

Getting Boxes

You will not find many of these boxes at a local store. While getting boxes from retailers can save you money, you will not find specialty boxes in this group. In order to get these specially designed boxes, you need to visit your local moving and storage store. Many truck rental places also have a variety of different box types for you to choose from. Many of these stores also have trained employees that can help you decide on what boxes you need and how many of them you need to get. All in all, getting the right boxes can really help make your move an easier one.