One of the most common questions moving companies get asked is “What’s the best way to stack a box truck?”. Everyone wants to optimize the amount of space in their moving truck and knowing how to properly and safely stake is essential to fitting the most furniture and boxes possible. Stacking a moving truck is not complicated and can easily be broken down into 4 simple steps.
Step #1 (Boxes and square/rectangular pieces of furniture)
To start, bring out all square/rectangular pieces of furniture (dressers, nightstands, etc.) that are weight baring enough to stack boxes on top of. Place these pieces of furniture on the ground and stack boxes on top of them, all the way to the trucks ceiling (remember to place all fragile boxes at the top of these stacks). Continue this process until you have a solid wall of boxes and furniture.
Step #2 (Create a mattress retaining wall)
Attach a tie down strap to the side rail of the truck, as close to the wall of boxes as possible. After the tie down strap is connected, bring out your mattresses and place them up against the box wall, run the tie down across the front of them, and secure it to the other side of the truck. This mattress retaining wall will prevent your boxes from tipping over while in transit. Next, grab all flat pieces of furniture from around the house (box springs, headboards, footboards, tabletop, etc.) and place them up against the mattresses. Secure these new items with a second tie down for additional support.
Step #3 (Couches and chairs)
At this point of the load, bring out your couches and snug the back of one of them up to the mattress retaining wall. If you have an additional couch, flip it upside down and puzzle piece it on top of the first. Next, grab all the lightweight chairs you need moved and lay them sideway on top of the couches. Remember to keep things light on top of the couches.
Step #4 (Washer/Dryer and Miscellaneous items)
With the remaining space in the truck, place your washer and dryer on the ground and all those lightweight miscellaneous items on top of them (lamps, golf clubs, Christmas trees, etc.). Be cautious not to overload your truck. Most damages occur towards the end of the load, when trying to force last minute items into the truck. Remember that it is always better to come back for another load and not risk breaking something.
Follow these four simple steps, and your moving truck will look like it was stacked like a pro. Good luck on your move job!
