by Guillermo Quick
Moving into a new house can be physically and mentally stressful on many families. If you're going to be doing the moving yourself, here are a few tips on a successful and smooth transition. With the planning and checklists, so much time can be used up in getting you to moving day, you may not have prepared for the actual loading and unloading process. Do yourself a favor and get acquainted with the types of moving trucks available and get the best type for your purpose. With the correct size of truck and proper loading equipment, you can make the transition to your new home smoother than you thought possible.
Whatever size of moving truck you choose, unless you have no heavy items, it's essential that you get a loading ramp. The ramp should be as wide as possible, to allow for safety and maneuverability when moving large, heavy objects. Even though the floor of the truck appears close to the ground, it won't when you're muscling that heavy dresser to the ground without the ramp! You also risk injury to yourself and damage to your furniture.
Thales claimed that everything was water. He also put wine into water to sterilize it. Did he really believe he was putting water into water to sterilize it? Parmenides, like most Greeks, knew that wine was not water. But while lifting a glass of wine to his lips, he denied that motion was possible. Did he really believe that the glass was not moving when he lifted it?
—Avrum Stroll (b. 1921)
Another item you'll want to rent is moving blankets, to protect tabletops and table legs from damage. If you're moving any heavy pieces, you'll definitely need a dolly, which you can also rent from the moving truck company.
Some moving trucks are well equipped with comfort features, such as air conditioning and sound equipment. If you're traveling even a short distance on a sweltering hot day, get the air conditioning. You'll be tired enough when you finish unloading. If you're traveling a long distance, it might be nice to have some sounds along the way.
As to size, moving trucks come in a range of sizes, from small trailer types to giant trucks with over-the-cab sleeping compartments. Go online to find a wealth of information on moving trucks. You'll find charts helping you to estimate the correct size for your move. If you have a small 2 room apartment, but have loads of books or knick knacks, you'll want to adjust your estimate of your needs accordingly.
Andy passes through things, but so do we. He sat down and had a talk with me. “You gotta decide what you want to do. Do you want to keep just playing museums from now on and the art festivals? Or do you want to start moving into other areas? Lou, don’t you think you should think about it?” So I thought about it, and I fired him.
—Lou Reed (b. 1944)
The larger moving trucks afford you some advantages over the smaller moving trucks. You can load several pieces into the truck, spreading them out on the floor space and then place them in the most efficiently packed. This allows for a tight fit between pieces, more secure from movement.
Another advantage of larger moving trucks are those with overhead cargo compartments. These are thickly padded, perfect for packing your most delicate possessions. However, if you're planning a very long trip, then you may want to use this compartment for sleeping.
Before beginning with those moving checklists, look into moving trucks! Get inside dimensions and you'll know if the washer will fit between the dresser and the couch!