Page 25 - AAA Hudson Valley – AAA Every Day – March/April 2019

Loading The Truck
Once you’ve packed your belongings, picked up your truck and assembled your crew, it’s time to load your vehicle. Take time to think about how you’ll
move everything in at your destination. If you load in a way that simplifies and speeds unloading, your move will go that much faster and you’ll settle into your new home that much quicker.
Loading Tips
• Always bend your knees and lift with your legs, not your back.
• Load the heaviest items first. Use a hand truck for heavy things like refrigerators and freezers — and get help instead of trying to handle everything yourself.
• Put heavy appliances and furniture against the
front wall of the cargo area. That will keep your load balanced, improve the handling of your truck and save you dollars on fuel. For example, put your refrigerator in one corner and your washer in the other.
• Remove drawers from dressers and desks while loading, replace them and tape them shut onboard.
• Cover appliances and furniture with pads to protect
finishes.
• Maintain a consistent load height from front to back
to keep items from shifting en route.
• Pack tight. Use smaller boxes to fill spaces
under tables and chairs and keep odd- shaped items (like tall lamps) from moving.
• Pack smart. Load more massive boxes first; stack lighter boxes on top of
them. Place odd-shaped, lighter-weight and fragile items at the very top.
Load With a Plan
To simplify and speed unloading at the end of your trip, pay attention to where you place various items. Keep boxes from a common room together. Place extra-long items — like mattresses, box springs, sofas and mirrors — along the side walls. Place odd-shaped items, like rolled rugs and carpets, lengthwise on the floor in the center of the truck.
Pack a Few “First-off” Boxes
As you’re packing and loading up, think ahead to your new home and set aside some things that will make the move-in go easier. First-off boxes contain stuff you’ll need right away and won’t want to search for:
• Cleaning supplies
• Vacuum cleaner (including an extra
bag), broom and dustpan
• A small tool kit, including a hammer,
screwdrivers, pliers, tape measure,
knife, duct tape, Teflon tape, pipe wrench, cable ties and a level
• A couple of spare boxes, some clear press-seal plastic bags and large trash bags
• At least two flashlights and extra batteries
• Light bulbs and an extension cord
• A charger for your cell phone(s)
• A coffee pot (including a couple pots’ worth of coffee,
filters and whatever you put in your brew)
• Disposable plates, cups and utensils
• Pens/pencils and a pad of paper
• Soap, toothpaste, shampoo and towels
• Paper towels and toilet paper
• Pads and throw rugs to protect your new home’s floors • Clothing for several days
• A compact radio/MP3 player
• Munchies that won’t spoil
• Toys and games for the kids, as well as toys and
treats for pets
• An extra set of car keys
Got a question?
• Call us toll-free at 877-222-7924
• Visit us online at pensketruckrental.com
• Penske has more than 2,200 rental locations
nationwide. To find the one near you, go to pensketruckrental.com
MARCH/APRIL 2019
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