How to Load a Moving Truck With Totes and Furniture (Step-by-Step)

To load a moving truck well, put the heaviest, most solid items against the front wall, build tight tiers of totes across the width of the truck, fill gaps with soft items, and secure everything with straps before you close the door. Uniform totes make this much easier than mixed boxes.

What goes in the truck first?

Start with the heavy, sturdy items: appliances, dressers and solid furniture, placed against the front wall of the truck. Then load large flat items like mattresses and box springs on their sides along one wall. Put tall items like wardrobes upright and secure them.

How do you stack totes in a truck?

Build vertical tiers from the floor to about the roof, stacking totes up to five high. Place the heaviest totes at the bottom and lighter ones on top. Latch every lid so the stack does not shift. Because Nice Totes are all the same size, the tiers line up neatly and leave no wasted space. Interlock the stacks across the truck's width so they brace against each other.

How do you fill gaps and secure the load?

• Use pillows, cushions and folded blankets to fill spaces between furniture and totes.
• Strap furniture to the wall rails using ratchet straps, and add a strap across each tote tier.
• Wrap wooden furniture in moving blankets and place a blanket between items that touch.
• Keep fragile items like mirrors and artwork upright, in the middle of the load, and padded on both sides.

What order should you load and unload?

Load in reverse of how you want to unload: put the first-night tote, bedding and kitchen essentials in last so they come off first. Load the room that will be unpacked last at the front of the truck, and the room you want set up first at the back.

How do you protect yourself and the load?

Lift with your legs, use a dolly for heavy stacks, and keep walkways clear. Do not overfill the truck beyond its weight limit, and drive carefully with a full load since braking distance is longer. When you arrive, unload totes first, and open the truck door slowly since items may have shifted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high can moving totes be stacked?

Nice Totes are rated to stack up to five high. Place the heaviest totes at the bottom and latch every lid.

What should I load first in a moving truck?

Heavy, solid items like appliances and dressers go against the front wall first; lighter items and totes fill the rest.

How do I keep a truck load from shifting?

Build tight tiers, fill gaps with soft items, and secure furniture and tote stacks with ratchet straps.

Questions about sizing, coverage, or what's included? Check our FAQ page or email info@nicetotesrental.com.