So, you’re finally ready to move house! You’ve collected the keys, signed your new tenancy or finalised your new mortgage agreement. It’s time to get all of your packed belongings moved across to your new house, exciting! Just one thing stands in your way... packing the van! It’s said that moving house is one of the most stressful events you can experience, so we want to make things that little bit easier by giving our top tips on how to load the van efficiently, so you not only save time, but you also reduce the stress levels on the big day!
Of course, this not only applies when you’re moving house, if you’re using our vans for an event or for work, you also might have a large number of items to shift, and making efficient use of all the space is a must.
1. Load larger items first
Start from back to front for each trip so you know precisely how much space you have. It’s best to start with your larger and heavier items such as sofas, tables, wardrobes, and drawers. Doing so allows you to pack smaller items in places like under a table so you can maximise the space. It’s also a good idea to get the square or straight edged items in the back first, for example washing machines, cabinets, and drawers etc. Getting these large items out of the way first can be a massive relief, and it will feel like you’re really getting somewhere within just an hour or so! It’s always advisable to get as many hands-on deck as possible as well to help with the larger items. As standard here at Skipton Self Drive we provide sack trucks and piano movers free of charge to help with large items that are hard to move with just your bare hands!
2. Make use of the sides
The sides also make a great space for items such as mattresses, taken down bed frames, shelving, sofa cushions, or folded down tables. This also ensures that you have padded your items to prevent scratching. Make sure to spread your heavier items out evenly so that you lower the centre of gravity on items that are top heavy. We also supply ropes, blankets and tie down straps free of charge, so you can make sure your items are fully secured.
3. Pack to the ceiling
As you don’t have a rear windscreen with a van, you can pack high to the ceiling providing there is a barrier between the storage area and the cab. Ensure that your belongings stack without moving to prevent any damages during transit. Be careful not to overpack though, as vans have a load capacity for a reason! As mentioned above, straight-sided items can not only go in first, they’re a dream to stack as well, meaning you’re really maximising on the van’s capacity, and reducing the number of trips needed, win win.
4. Pad your fragile belongings
As above, if you’re worried about items moving around in transit, you can tie them down to ensure they don’t slide or crash into your valuable. You can also further protect your belongings by wrapping up your valuables or fragile items such as mirrors with rugs, curtains, sofa cushions or even bedding! This also makes it easier to find room for the more awkwardly shaped items which often are packed last.
5. Carry out safety checks
Ensure that the van is not leaning down too low on any given side. This can not only damage the vehicle, but it can also be a safety issue for you and your passengers as well, as an overloaded van will impact on stopping distances in the event of an emergency stop.
6. Drive safe!
Driving a van is a lot different to driving a car. Take it slow until you get adjusted to driving a van and control your speed and brakes. Accelerating too quickly or braking too quickly can cause items to move or slide around. Also be aware of the impact that a heavier load has on steering and braking, as it can reduce the effectiveness more than you anticipate, especially in wintery conditions.
We hope this helps you when it comes to transporting your items in our vans! If you need to hire a van, why not browse our fleet of vehicles here, or contact us today?
