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So, you have to be out by noon, and you have a truck--or at least you will have. On moving day, you'll have the urge to concentrate on just getting the stuff in the truck as fast as possible and getting out of there fast.
There's a lot to be said for speed, but don't forget safety and preserving your belongings. Use these tips:
Acquire your supplies in advance
Gather boxes, tape, garbage bags (of varying sizes), zipper sandwich bags, and packing material a few days before you begin packing. Get or find a hammer, nails, rope, a drill, and a flashlight at least two days before you're scheduled to receive the truck. Don't forget wood to use as blocks and bracing, and hook and eye screws, if you're allowed to install them into the truck.
How much? At least one and a half times more than what you think you'll need. Having surplus is better than running out.
If you plan on using a dolly or a ramp, reserve them at the same time you make arrangements for the truck.
With all rented equipment, make regular calls to the local office to ensure that your equipment will be available. Increase the frequency of your checks the week before you're scheduled to take possession, and definitely call the day before.
Purchase boxes instead of scrounging them
It may cost you an extra $100 or more, but the advantages far justify the cost. Boxes purchased from a moving company will be of a uniform size, and will therefore be easier to stack. The will be structurally sound, and less likely to tear or crumple. Finally, if you buy the boxes in bulk, buy smaller sizes, and then purchase a few larger boxes for specific items. Smaller sizes will be easier to stack and much easier on your back.
I recommend you buy more than you think you need. Running out of packing containers at the last minute is a desperate situation. Many sellers will allow you to return unused boxes for their purchase price.
Pack your drawers
Packing the drawers of furniture conserves space and makes your bureau, dresser, or desk a more solid for stacking items on top.
Pack the drawers with items related to what belongs to them anyway, only pad the contents so they don't know around. If you're concerned that items will fly away when you carry the drawers, secure fabric or cardboard (maybe from a soda case?) over the contents.
Carry the chest, desk, etc to the truck on its own and the (packed) drawers separately. Put the drawers back into the main piece of furniture and secure them with a rope or two tied through the drawer pulls, if possible, or around the front, vertically, if not.
Pack the large appliances
Contact the manufacturer on how to clean and pack your appliances for moving. Clean your appliances. Consider packing the inside of your washer, dryer, or dishwasher with pillows and other lightweight, but bulky items.
When you run out of packing material
If you find yourself out of packing material and filler, no way to purchase more, and boxes left to pack, get creative. Use newspaper (on washable items or those ink won't damage), crumpled magazine pages, inexpensive drawing paper, wrapping paper, plastic grocery sacks, crumpled paper grocery bags, shredded paper from work, and towels, dishcloths, and out of season clothes.
Protect your furniture
Moving trucks are notoriously filthy. Cover cushions, upholstered furniture, and mattresses in plastic to protect them. You can use drop cloths, garbage bags, and tarps. For larger items, such as mattresses, you may find purchasing bags/covers more convenient.
Dismantle furniture items as much as possible. Tape screws and small pieces to part of the furniture that can't be damaged by the adhesive. Alternatively, place the small parts in a baggie with a note explaining to what they belong. Pack all such pieces together, in a well labeled easy-to-find box.
Protect the corners and tops of furniture with padding, packing blankets, bubble wrap or old blankets. Don't place tape directly on furniture.
Make use of resources from the rental or moving company
If the moving company provides you with a video or written tips on how to load the truck, accept them. Read or watch them at least once.
Load the truck
Loading a truck is like assembling a one-of-a-kind three-dimensional puzzle. It will be easier to do if you have the major pieces in front of you. Make a list of large items, such as furniture, exercise equipment, and large size boxes. If at all possible, gather the big items near the truck with your helpers. Agree on a game plan and a leader or director.
When in doubt, don't lift an item, or don't lift alone. Avoid bending over from the waist to lift. Instead squat, and then straighten your legs. Don't be tempted to carry large piles of items in the interest of expediency. Such stacks make it harder for you to manuever and can fall. By carrying more items or heavier weight, you risk injury to your back (or your toes!). You also risk damaging your possessions.
Wear gloves to protect your hands and long sleeves to protect your arms. Wear boots, if you can. Don't wear sandals or shoes with an appreciable heel. Be prepared to get very, very dirty.
Load heavy items at the front of the truck against the wall. When you load sofas and mattresses, turn them on end. They'll take up less horizontal space. They'll also occupy hard to fill vertical space. Use furniture cushions as padding in crevices made by furniture items.
Stack boxes by setting aside the lighter items to load last. Load one or two rows of heavier boxes on the floor of the truck, and then load lighter items on top.
To reduce the risk of toppling, load all stacks of boxes or furniture and boxes to the same height. Stacks need support from all sides, not just on the left and the right.
For furniture that looks as if it may slide or tall piles that look less than steady, either rearrange or reinforce. You can reinforce your packing with other items. Use existing tie downs in the truck with your rope to support piles. If no tie downs are provided, get permission to install hook bolts into the truck. Similarly, nail blocks of wood into the floor to steady items from sliding. You will remove these as you unpack, in order to return the truck or trailer in the best possible condition.
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