How to Load a Moving Truck Like a Pro

The Right Loading Order: Heavy to Light

Load the heaviest items first and place them against the cab wall at the front of the truck. Appliances like your fridge and washer go in first, followed by dressers, bookshelves, and bed frames stood on their sides. This keeps the truck's center of gravity low and forward, which makes driving safer — especially on Montreal's hilly streets near the mountain.

Next, fill in medium-weight items: boxes of books, kitchen boxes, and smaller furniture. Stack boxes with the heaviest on the bottom. Leave lighter, odd-shaped items like lamps, plants, and garbage bags of linens for last. Think of it like Tetris — every gap is wasted space and wasted money on a truck you're renting by the day.

Securing and Protecting Your Belongings

Use ratchet straps or rope to tie furniture to the truck's anchor points along the walls. A single hard brake on the Décarie Expressway can send an unsecured dresser crashing into your boxes. Wrap furniture pads or moving blankets around wood surfaces, mirrors, and anything with a finish you care about.

Place mattresses upright against the truck wall and strap them in place. Slide fragile boxes between soft items like pillows or couch cushions. Never stack anything on top of glass tabletops or electronics — keep those items in the truck's cab if possible.

Maximizing Every Inch of Truck Space

Fill dresser drawers with clothes, towels, or small items instead of emptying them — this saves boxes and truck space. Put shoes, toys, and small kitchen items inside appliances like the oven or washing machine drum. Use wardrobe boxes hung across the back of the truck for hanging clothes.

If you're making one trip across Montreal, a tightly packed truck is a successful truck. Aim for a flat top surface across your load so nothing shifts. The last thing you want is to repack mid-move on a busy Plateau side street with cars honking behind you.