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Always load your heaviest house-hold items first, to keep your truck stable on the road. Load your truck a quarter at a time. Pack it tight and solid from floor to ceiling, and tie off each quarter with rope to the side rails of your truck.
Line sofas, bureaus, large china cabinets, refrigerators and other heavy appliances against the front wall of your truck bed, then work backwards to the chairs, tables, bookcases, etc. Always put heavier items on the truck floor or bottom of the stack.
Fill in open spaces with small boxes, Lightweight items go on top of the load
Place large, flat items mattresses, box springs, tabletops and padded heavy mirrors upright against truck walls, and tie them down.
Slide rolled-up rugs lengthwise into the center of the truck. Put your odd-shaped items along the sides or stack them on top of boxes. Then fill in around them with other boxes to secure them for the trip.
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The details of packing are just part of the home-moving process. If you're making a long-distance move, for example, you need to get your car tuned and serviced for the trip (that is, if you aren't towing it). Here are some more helpful tips, courtesy of A Mini Flex Self-Storage:
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Obtain school transcripts for your children. |
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Contact the utilities and arrange to have your service disconnected. (Don't forget to collect any deposits.) Make sure your new services will be connected when you arrive. |
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Stop your newspaper delivery, cable TV service, etc. |
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Give the Post Office a forwarding address. |
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Gather all your important personal papers and records from your safe deposit or wherever, and keep them with you during the move. |
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If you're traveling cross-country, put together a travel kit: check book, credit cards, ID cards, flash light, keys, small tools, soap, paper cups, alarm clock, aspirin, paper towels, bandages, comics and games for the kids. How about a cooler with cold drinks and snacks? |
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Send out change-of-address notices to magazines and charge accounts. |
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Recruit moving day help. |
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Hire a babysitter for moving day. |
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Close your bank accounts. Get your balances in traveler's checks. |
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Obtain mailing addresses for your family physician and dentist (your new doctors will need to order your files directly). |
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Pack a suitcase as if you were going away for a week. |
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The day before your move, gas up the car (if you won't be towing it) then try to get a good night's sleep. |
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Get your move off to a good start by picking up your truck bright and early. Park the truck as close as you can to the most convenient door of your home. Pull out the loading ramp and place it on the highest step or a cement area. Here are some general tips:
 Make a list of every item and box as you load it on the truck. Number the boxes with a broad-tip marker.
Wear heavy gloves for the bigger items.
Pace yourself.
Share the load. Don't let one person lift or carry any item which really requires two strong backs.
Don't forget the Tape! Get at least one roll per room, and enough bubble pack to wrap your most delicate porcelains and breakables.
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