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Tips for a Smooth Move

1. Before the Move

Throw out items you no longer need and bin it - Go through all your stuff a month or more prior to the move and throw out the rubbish. Then take all the items you no longer have use for and have a garage sale / yard sale and/or give them to your family, neighbors, Salvation Army, St Vincent De Pauls and other places that can get them back into circulation. No point in moving junk and cluttering up your next place too.

Make a good backup of your computer files a week before the move. Atlas offers some useful tips on moving computers, antiques and collectables.

Create a "Must Have Box" with things you will need upon arrival (medications, toiletries, towels, tv remote, current phone book, etc.). See the list of items for this box.

Contact your local sanitation department who might be able to pickup large amounts of rubbish for free.

2. Basic Packing Tips

• Use boxes. Grocery bags don't cut it.
• Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes.
• If you use your towels as packing material you will not have to pack them later.
• Label boxes by contents and room.
• If you have suitcases, use them. Its silly to move empty suitcases.
• Entire family help to the extent possible.
• Clearly identify major go/no items (like the fridge stays).
• Securely pack and wrap heirlooms (grandma's rocking chair)
• Remove light bulbs from lamps before packing them. Wrap the bulbs in newspaper, put them all in one box and label it.
• Get your pets (dogs, cats and kitty litter) out of the way, it is very stressful for them, they may run away and many people are allergic to them.
• Knockdown aquariums.
• Drain water beds.
• Measure very large objects and make sure they can be gotten out of the house. We have ran into a few instances of rooms being built around large items.
• Garage is often overlooked. Box up small items in the garage.
• Be sure to check your backyard for hoses, bar-b-que grills, toys, trampolines, garden tools and other items. Some may need to be disassembled before the move.
• Make sure all propane bottles are turned off and handle them carefully. Most are not supposed to be transported in an enclosed space.
• Do not forget any items in the attic.
• Pack computers and other consumer electronics in their original packaging if you still have it.
• Make plans for hauling off any remaining trash when the move is over.
• Collect a few carpet scraps for sliding the furniture on as you move it out of one house and into the other.

3. Things to anticipate:

• Moving "food storage"
• Kids have lots of sizeable toys and bikes

4. It is often very helpful if someone can watch very young children off site.

5. Piano's

• Have at least 4 healthy adult males to move a piano
• Use a piano dolly if possible
• Take extra care with piano legs (they are weak).
• If you try to roll one on its rollers, it may scratch the floor. We have rolled them across cardboard before.

6. When loading large rental trucks:

• When backing large trucks, be sure to watch out for trees, wires, and roof overhangs.
• Be sure the ground is dry enough to support the truck. These units get stuck very easily.
• If young children are on the site, be sure to corral them before moving the truck and consider keeping them off the loading ramp and out of the rear of the truck. Plus do not leave them unattended in the cab (they may take it out of gear, start it, beep horn, lock themselves in, etc). If they are onsite, try to have some toys and a grandma to keep them busy.
• If truck has an "overhang" (some storage in front up high) put books and some heavy items up there and tie a rope across them.
• Put your "Must Have" box mentioned in our Before the Move section and any tools or other items you want to be able to access during the trip or immediately upon arrivel in the cab of the moving van, in the front seat of your car or in a locked room. Otherwise when people come to help you "load", they may mistakenly put them in with all your other stuff, making them very hard to find.
• Put large items in front
• Tie ropes horizontally across the load (between the truck walls) at various intervals to prevent shifting of contents.
• Put heavy food storage items and book boxes on the bottom.
• Put refrigerator or freezers at rear if you want to plug them in.
• Put large mirrors and framed glass between mattresses
• "Nest" couches (One upside down upon the other)
• "Nest" chairs (One upside down upon the other) or stack boxes to a height that an upside down chain on top of them reaches the ceiling.
• Use the furniture pads supplied by the rental truck firm (if there are any) to protect furniture and other items from being scratched. Wrap items in them, place them on top items, squeeze them between items. We often use flat cardboard for the same purpose. Some old refridgerator or appliance boxes from a store can easily be cut with a utility (carpet) knife into useful shapes and sizes.
• Put large plastic kid toys and loose bags on top of load.
• Put bookcases along the wall facing the interior of the truck and fill their shelves with small boxes.
• Put pianos on side walls (with their back to the wall) and tie them to the wall.
• Constantly be tossing / squezing bulky, light items (plastic flowers, Christmas decorations, pillows, plastic toys, blankets, etc) on top the load as you begin to fill the truck. This keeps them from taking up valuable room later.
• Put bicycles, trash cans, bar-b-que grills, and hand tools at rear of truck. (Hand tools may be needed during journey). Run some rope around the various items near the back of the truck to prevent them from shifting (tie them all together a bit).
• Sometimes bicycles can be tied up high on the wall of rental trucks either horizontally or vertically
• Small flat tools can often be inserted flat against the wall between the outer wall and the inner braces of the rental truck. Just be sure to get them out before you take the truck back.
• Keep any tools you may need at the final destination or during the trip near the back of the truck. You might also keep a heavy duty extension cord there. As per our earlier note, put them in the front of the truck before the move, or people helping may load them in the middle of the truck by mistake. Move them to the back of the truck once the truck is loaded.

7. When driving / traveling in large rental trucks:

• Know how tall you are, do not be hitting tree limbs, low wires, etc. You will almost never hit them on the open road, but you may once you get off the main roads.
• Make sure you have any maps and phone numbers you may need in the cab
• Keep a flashlight in the cab
• Have money or a credit card to pay for fuel, food, tolls, etc.
• Be sure to put a padlock on the rear door. Many people get to their destination and find someone already stole their stuff. The "flat round" type that makes it more difficult to cut with bolt cutters (little of the hasp is exposed) might be the best for this application.
• If you must park the truck overnight during the move, park it in a well lighted area observable from your hotel room if possible. Conside backing it against (quite close to) a telephone pole or a vertical wall/fence. This makes it much more difficult to remove large items.
• Pull over on a sideroad into a parking lot if you need to look at a map.
• When you need to briefly park/stop the truck try to do so in way you can drive out of the position vs. backing up (poor vision behind the truck)
• Be sure if the truck takes diesel or gas before refueling
• Make sure you are aware of the return policy times (back by 8pm etc) and hours the location will be open. Do not speed or drive hazardously to make those times, but do not lolligag and get caught by them.
• Have a cell phone and phone book of your destination city in the cab.
• Obey the laws, speed limits, towing regulations, etc
• If you are caravaning with your family in a car, cell phones make the trip much easier (send them for food, you know when they are making bathroom stops, etc.)
• Wash the windows when you get fuel if they need it.
• If you left food in your refridgerator near the back of the truck, you may be able to plug it in somewhere overnight and again immediately upon reaching your destination.

8. When unloading large rental trucks:

• When backing large trucks, be sure to watch out for trees, wires, and roof overhangs.
• Be sure the ground is dry enough to support the truck. These units get stuck very easily.
• Toss any ropes and packing blankets into a pile as you unload. This makes them easier to find later. Often a youth can fold them up for returning with the truck as you unload.

9. Appliances:

• Washers and Dryers
• Empty any clothes from them
• Turn the washer hoses off and disconnect them
• Drain washer hose and stick end of hose in washer.
• Put dryer spiral vent hose and clamp in dryer.
• Washers and dryers can usually be easily prevented from scratching each other by putting a large piece of cardboard between them in the truck.
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Unload them before moving them.
• Food can be briefly stored in ice chest and cardboard boxes, then rapidly put back into the fridge after short moves.
• Move them right side up. Do not turn them on their side or back.
• You may be forced to remove their doors in order to get them through a door or other limiting opening. The door handles are often a problem in clearing tight spaces.
• When moving them, have someone watching the extension cord and making sure you do not hit the coils on the back of the unit against a door or wall.
• For long moves, you can put the fridge near the back door of a rental truck and plug it in with an extension cord when the truck is not moving.
• Once you reach your destination, plug it back in.
• On rare ocassions, it may be necessary to take the door off a refridgerator or freezer to pass through a door.
• Use and appliance dolly if possible, otherwise use a regular dolly with a large piece of cardboard to prevent it from scratching the appliances.

10. You may need to pull the loaded drawers from "chest of drawers", load the frame, then reinstall the drawers. If you fail to do this, the top section may tear off or loosen from some lightweight or old chests.

11. Tools

• Tape measure to help determine the best path through the house with larger items.
• We ask the move out families to supply most of the tools, but it never hurts to have some basic tools with you.

12. When positioning a truck with a loading ramp, it is generally best position the truck with the ramp all the way to the ground. If you try to put the ramp on a step or porch besides being a little precarious, when you start to slide large items up it, they hit the roof of the porch or top or a door jam.

13. When moving large objects be especially cautious of hanging lights, low ceilings, and the top of door jams.

14. Kid Safety

• Try to get very young children out of the home (have someone watch them)
• No kids allowed in the truck
• If truck has a hoist, no kids ride it up and down and they stay clear of it at all times.
• Allow kids to move their personal items as much as possible.

15 We have found area grocery and liquor stores to be excellent sources of boxes.

16. If it is an across town move, and we are doing it in several trips, be sure to pickup the packing blankets from the new site and return them to the moving site so they can be used again on the next load.

17. Move In Tip - many families use the garage as a staging area for boxes. If you leave a lot of boxes in the garage, make sure it does not flood. Garages in this area may take on water during heavy rains.

18. If some items go to a local storage unit at your new destination:

• Decide what items will be going to storage before you begin loading.
• Pack those items together and as a group either in the front or back of the truck to allow off loading them first or last.

Upon Arrival

Packing Tips

Recommended Supplies:

• various size boxes
• cardboard
• plastic sheets/tarp
• blankets
• padding/bubble wrap
• newspaper/wrapping paper
• box/shipping tape
• scissors/pocket knife
• small tool kit
• sandwich bags (to hold appliance/furniture hardware)
• gloves

General Packing

• Pack as much as you can into boxes. This will provide greater protection for your belongings and will make loading your trailer much easier. Unusually shaped items take up more space and make loading more difficult.
  Packing and padding your items are keys to having a successful move. Don't skimp on packing supplies. They are far cheaper than broken or damaged belongings.
• Start packing several weeks before your move date, taking it one room at a time. Begin with things you use less frequently, such as books and knick knacks. Pack each room in separate boxes and label each box with its contents.
• Reinforce the bottom of all boxes with tape. Fill each box to its capacity, using paper or fillers to eliminate empty spaces. The top and sides of each box shouldn't bulge, nor should they cave in when closed.
• Pack heavy items, such as books, in smaller boxes. Keep the weight of each box down to a manageable level.
• Leave lightweight linens and clothing in their drawers. Pack extra linens, pillows and stuffed animals in large garbage bags and tape closed. Plan to use these bags as cushions or fillers in your trailer.
• Disassemble any items you can. Be aware of items with sharp corners or projections and keep them from puncturing or scratching other objects.
• Pack your valuables and essentials separately and plan on keeping these items with you.

Furniture

• Wrap with blankets or bubble wrap. Secure padding to furniture. Do not use tape directly on wood or painted surfaces.
• Remove legs from furniture if possible. Place wing nuts or screws in envelopes or plastic bags and tape to underside of furniture.
  
• Coat fine wood furnishings with wax to protect against scratches.
  Place sofa cushions and pillows in bags to use as pads or fillers in the trailer.
  
• Move dressers with contents in drawers to avoid repacking. Secure drawers from opening during transit.
  If you are moving a piano, consider hiring a specialist to pack and load it.

Electronics

• Whenever possible use original shipping boxes for computers, printers and other electronic items. You might even consider double boxing. Follow manufacturer's instructions for moving when available.
  
• Immobilize moving parts and remove all detachable cables and wires. Color code or label wiring for easier reinstallation. Tape electrical cords to back of appliance to prevent plug damage and wrap each piece with bubble wrap.
  
• CDs and software do not survive high temperatures. If you are shipping your goods during the warmer seasons, consider keeping these items with you.

Major Appliances

• Clean and dry all appliances at least 24 hours before your move date. Consider using empty space in your appliances to move lightweight or crushable items.
  
• Remove broiler pan and racks from your oven. Tape burners or coil elements to the top of your stove and tape down all knobs.
  
• Disconnect and empty all washing machine hoses and store them inside the machine. Immobilize the tub with a brace or by placing towels between the tub and sidewall.
  
• Tape electrical cords to each appliance and tape all doors and lids closed.

Dishes and Glassware

• Wrap breakables in tissue paper and use newspaper to fill extra spaces in boxes.
  
• Pack plates on their edges. Consider using pot holders and dish towels to cushion the bottom and sides of your boxes.
  
• For greater protection, consider purchasing "dish packs" sold by packaging stores.
  
• Fine silver should be wrapped in cloth or silver paper.

Lamps and Decor

• Remove all bulbs and shades from lamps. Pack in sturdy cartons labeled "fragile".
  
• Wrap each wall hanging individually with bubble wrap, blankets, or towels. Pack flat items on their edges.
  
• For large mirrors or pictures, cover both sides with bubble wrap and heavy cardboard, then bind with tape.

Lawn and Garage Items

• Drain all gasoline and oil from lawn mowers, weed eaters, chain saws and other equipment.
  
• Empty propane tanks from barbecue grill and properly purge hose. Secure lid and immobilize moving parts.
  
• Strap long garden tools together into a bundle. Pack heavy power tools into small sturdy boxes and fill spaces with newspaper.

Tying Down a Load

With the large range of ratchet tie-down straps available on the market, we don’t seem to use as much rope to tie down a load as we used to. First you secure one end of the rope with a clove-hitch, then pull the rope down tight on the other end with the truckies-knot.

The Clove-Hitch

Start with a half-hitch around the tie-down bar or peg as shown below.  Remember these?  Then loop the end around the tie-down bar again, in the same direction, but on the opposite side of the rope and pull the end down though the loop you have just made.  Pull it tight.

You can secure it further by tying a half-hitch back around the rope, like this :

Truckies-Knot

Once you have tied off one end with the clove-hitch, throw the rope over your load and tie a truckies-knot.  This is going to take a bit of explaining, so try to follow along with the pictures.

1.      Start by pulling a bight in the rope, behind your tie-down rail.
2.      Lay the bight over the top of the rope.
3.      Pull a second bight in the rope through the first bight.
4.      Make a loop in the rope above where you have just made the second bight.

5.      Push the second bight through the loop.
6.      I generally like to put a second loop in the rope and feed the bight through this as well, just in case.
7.      Pull down on the side of the first bight that is closest to the loose end.

The beauty of the truckies-knot is that it acts like a block and tackle, to give you a mechanical advantage in tightening down the rope.

Next we have to tie off the loose end.  This will depend on how much rope you have left over. 
Here are three options.

1.      Complete a clove-hitch with the rope doubled over.

2.      Tie a half-hitch around the first bight with the rope doubled.

  3.      Tie a clove-hitch around the tie-down rail with the single end of the rope.



This one might take a bit of practice. Good luck!

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Driving A Rental Truck

(Here's what you need to know when you get behind the wheel of a rental truck.)

So you've decided to take matters into your own hands and move yourself. Congratulations! But, have you ever driven a truck before? There are a few things to keep in mind before starting out on the road. The most important thing to remember is that a truck needs more space and time to react than your personal vehicle does.

• Turns: You will need to make wider turns.
• Clearance: Know how tall your truck is and be alert to bridges, underpasses and canopies at gas stations, hotels, banks and drive-thrus.
• Stops: Trucks need more time to stop than cars. Brake early and don't tailgate.
• Backing Up: Don't do it if you don't have to. When necessary, have someone outside the truck to guide you. Unhitch anything you are towing before attempting to back up.
• Get To Know Your Truck: Familiarise yourself with the truck before driving it. Adjust the seat and mirrors. Know the location of all controls and switches, including lights, turn signals, windshield wipers and the horn. Then, go for a test drive. You might want to start in an empty parking lot to get a feel for how the truck handles.
• Obey All Traffic Laws: Use your turn signals, control your speed, use headlights, pass with care and buckle your seatbelt.
• Know Your Coverages: Make sure you understand how much coverage your current policy covers for truck damage, bodily injury, and cargo damage. Policies often do not cover your truck rental as they do for car rentals.
• Allow for plenty of time, get enough rest and stay on your toes. When you arrive at the rental location, ask your dealer any remaining questions you may have about your rental experience. Above all, enjoy the drive because once you get there…it's time to unpack!

Safe Driving Tips

The first thing you need to do to ensure a safe trip is to familiarise yourself with driving a truck. Here are some guidelines for safe truck driving:

Before you hit the road, get comfortable with the truck's switches and gauges. Driving a truck will feel a bit different from driving a car. It will take time to become accustomed to operating the vehicle. Adjust your mirrors before you hit the road. Remember, you won't have a direct rearview mirror, so make sure your mirrors are in the right place for you.

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