Loading & Unloading

Loading a moving truck is an art — and doing it right saves time, money, and your back. Browse our expert guides on packing, strapping, and unloading like a pro.

Recent Articles

A homeowner unpacking moving boxes in a new living room with furniture being arranged on moving-in day

How to Unpack After Moving Like the Pros

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Unpacking can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Without a strategy, it's easy to lose motivation or end up living among half-emptied boxes and chaos for months. The best way to unpack after moving is... Read More

two movers in blue shirts and baseball caps move a white couch down a set of stairs

How To Move Heavy Furniture Down Stairs Safely

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Figuring out how to navigate a steep flight of stairs with a heavy couch or dresser can quickly become the most stressful part of your move. To carry these items down stairs safely, you need to measure your... Read More

Family unpacking moving boxes from a removal truck

What Order Should You Load a Moving Truck?

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The best way to load a moving truck is to load the heaviest items first and save light or fragile items for last. That order gives your belongings a stronger base, helps prevent shifting in transit, and makes the... Read More

Movers carrying cardboard boxes from a house to a moving van

Does It Take Longer to Load or Unload a Moving Truck?

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In general, loading takes about 1.5 – 2 times longer than unloading, or about 60% to 75% of the total hours. This is because when loading, you need to take the time to distribute weight carefully, secure items, and... Read More

Spacious backyard with a swing set on a spring day

Will Movers Move a Swing Set

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Yes, professional movers can move a swing set. Most will need it taken apart first, and there might be extra charges for things like size, weight, or putting it back together. If you have a solid wooden playset,... Read More

a wooden outdoor barrel sauna

How to Move a Sauna: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Figuring out how to move a sauna can feel pretty daunting when you’re looking at such a heavy wooden structure with multiple parts attached to it. However, moving a sauna simply requires disassembling it in reverse... Read More

Home gym equipment being prepared for a move

Will Movers Move a Gym?

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Yes, most movers will move home gym equipment, including weights, exercise bikes, treadmills, benches, and squat racks. However, large commercial machines or equipment with complex wiring or cabling may require a... Read More

a gray home safe sits open

How to Move A Heavy Safe

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You bought a safe to protect your most valuable possessions. But now that it is time to move, that steel box becomes less of an asset and more like a tricky problem to solve. Moving a safe is not like moving a... Read More

Two people using moving straps to safely lift a heavy dresser in a living room

A Pro's Guide to Moving Heavy Furniture Without Hurting Yourself

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If you've ever tried to figure out how to move furniture up stairs, you know that it can be a minefield of injuries and scratched walls. But you can maneuver those tight spaces and awkward corners without injuring... Read More

A riding lawn mower being securely strapped onto a utility trailer for transport to a new home

How to Transport a Riding Lawn Mower

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Riding lawn mowers make yard work faster and easier, but they’re also bulky, heavy, and awkward to move. Whether you’re selling your mower or relocating with it to a new home, knowing how to transport a riding... Read More

Bright home office with large wooden desk and laptop near window

How to Move a Heavy Desk by Yourself

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Moving any furniture by yourself can be a major undertaking, but a heavy desk is especially challenging. Most of them are bulky, hard to maneuver, and often heavier than they look. Thankfully, with the right... Read More

A fridge strapped upright to a dolly sits in a hallway

Can You Lay a Refrigerator on its Side?

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If you're out of options and your fridge needs to get horizontal to make a move happen, you can do it. Generally, though, the answer is, "It's not a great idea."

Transporting your fridge on its side comes with the... Read More

A white chest freezer with its lid open

How to Move a Chest Freezer

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Figuring out how to move a chest freezer can be tricky — they're wide and often weigh 100 pounds or more. Plus, they feature sealed cooling systems that are easily damaged in transit. However, you can move one if... Read More

Movers wrapping a washing machine in stretch film in a new home

Do Loading Helpers Bring Their Own Equipment?

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Yes, loading helpers, including those on HireAHelper, bring basic moving equipment, including dollies, hand tools, and item protection for loading. That makes move day much smoother because your crew can get right... Read More

A red pellet stove in a living room

How To Move a Pellet Stove Safely

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Many pellet stoves weigh as much as a commercial refrigerator, so they’re not easy items to move. But it is possible with the right technique and preparation. To move a pellet stove safely, you’ll need to unplug... Read More

An elliptical machine in a home gym

How To Move an Elliptical Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

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Most ellipticals weigh between 100 and 350 pounds, making them one of the heaviest pieces of home gym equipment to move, but it’s possible with the right process. To move an elliptical machine short distances, tilt... Read More

A golf cart parked on a golf course

How to Move a Golf Cart

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Moving a golf cart requires more than just a standard trailer and a few straps to tie it down. To move your cart safely, you’ll need to choose the right transportation method, like a utility trailer or truck bed,... Read More

A trampoline with a net sits in the corner of a backyard with a green lawn and trees

How to Move a Trampoline

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Moving a trampoline is often cited as one of the most physically demanding parts of a backyard relocation because of its awkward size and heavy steel frame. To move one, you can either move it a short distance with... Read More

A four-wheeled furniture dolly with a padded top, ready to support heavy furniture during a move

What’s a Furniture Dolly, and How Do I Use It for Moving?

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Your first glance at a furniture dolly might evoke memories of middle school gym class, where kids sat on scooter boards and pushed themselves after a ball. But this humble tool can make a big difference when... Read More

Movers using a ramp to unload boxes and furniture from a moving truck into a home on moving day

How to Best Unload Your Moving Truck

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You might think that getting everything off the truck is going to be easier than getting everything onto it. But unloading your moving truck still requires planning to make the most of your time, prevent injuries,... Read More