To load a moving truck safely, put heavy items low and toward the front, pad your furniture, fill every gap, and strap each section so nothing can shift. If you want a crew to do it, our Portland movers start at $125 per hour for two people with equipment.
A well-loaded truck holds more, drives better and protects your furniture. A badly loaded one is how couches get scuffed and dishes get broken. These eight steps are the same ones our crews follow every day.
1. Make a plan before the truck arrives
List your biggest pieces: bed frames, sofas, dressers, tables and appliances. Decide what goes in first and what you will need first at the new place. Pack a first night box with bedding, chargers, toiletries and basic kitchen items, and load it last so it comes out first.
2. Gather your supplies
- Moving blankets or furniture pads
- Straps or tie-downs
- Sturdy boxes, tape and labels
- A hand truck
- A bag for screws and hardware, labeled by furniture piece
Our crews bring all of this, plus a piano dolly, hand tools, shrink wrap and neoprene floor runners.
3. Lift with your legs, not your back
Bend your knees, keep the load close to your body and avoid twisting. Never carry something you cannot see over. For guidance on lifting, see OSHA’s ergonomics resources. If a piece is too heavy or awkward, stop and get help rather than risk a fall.
4. Load the heavy items first
Put appliances, dressers and other big pieces against the walls of the truck, toward the front. Keep furniture upright where it was made to stand, and put padding between pieces. Follow your rental company’s weight limit and loading instructions.
5. Stack boxes in stable layers
Heavy boxes go on the bottom, lighter ones on top. Keep stacks the same size and flat on top. Skip tall, leaning towers, because they fall the first time you brake.
6. Fill the gaps
Empty space is where things move. Use soft items, such as pillows and folded blankets, to fill small gaps. Do not rely on loose blankets alone to hold a heavy piece in place.
7. Strap off each section
Secure every section with straps or tie-downs before you build the next one. A strapped load holds together on turns and stops.
8. Do a final check before you close the door
Look over the whole load. Check that nothing leans, that straps are tight and that doors close without forcing. Keep documents, medication and valuables with you, not in the truck.
When to hire a crew instead
If you have heavy furniture, stairs, a tight schedule or just no one to help, a crew is worth it. Our movers load and unload rental trucks and containers, and they bring every tool. Two movers with equipment are $125 per hour, with a two hour minimum, and a flat $45 service fee within 10 miles of central Portland. Read help loading a U-Haul in Portland, check how much Portland movers cost, or see our rates and services. For more on protecting furniture, read our post on keeping furniture safe when moving.
Frequently asked questions
What goes in a moving truck first?
Load large, heavy items first, such as appliances, dressers and mattresses, so they sit low and toward the front. Add lighter boxes on top and keep items you need first at the back.
Should heavy boxes go on the bottom?
Yes. Put heavy boxes low and lighter boxes above them, and keep stacks stable. Avoid building tall stacks that lean.
How do I keep furniture from shifting in a truck?
Pad furniture with moving blankets, fill gaps with boxes and soft items, and secure each section with straps or tie-downs before starting the next one.
Can I hire someone to load a moving truck for me?
Yes. Our Portland crews load rental trucks and containers. Two movers with equipment are $125 per hour with a two hour minimum, plus a flat $45 service fee within 10 miles of central Portland.
Should I follow the rental company’s weight limit?
Yes. Check the truck’s weight limit and loading instructions with your rental company, and keep the load within them.
Skip the Heavy Lifting
Let a trained Portland crew load the truck so it rides tight and your furniture arrives safe. Two movers with all the equipment start at $125 per hour.
Or call (503) 922-2225 · Crews available 7 days a week, 8 AM to 6 PM
