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Hello everyone,
In about a month, my family and I will be moving from Illinois to Atlanta. We've reserved a 26 foot truck from Penske. The problem is none of us know how to pack/load a truck. We don't have the money to hire professionals, so we have to do it ourselves. We have 7 TV's, 1 62inch., 1 55in., 1 46in., 1 50in. flats, 2 37 in. regular tv's. I have a side-by-side refrigerator freezer, 1 chest freezer, washer and dryer, stove, living room set, 4 bedroom sets, various boxes, plastic clothes contaniers, and misc. tables, a dining room set, 6 chairs, a bakers rack, etc, question will it all fit???
The TV's and appliances will! Not so sure about everything else.
Call several reputable local movers and find out what their labor rate is for two experienced packer/loaders. The money you spend on professionals will be well invested if you find that everything might not fit and you have to rent another truck for a second trip.
Experienced industry professionals load at an average density rate of 6.1 lbs per cubic foot. Inexperienced DIYers load at 3.5-5.0 lbs per cubic foot. Hiring pro means that you can probably get another 2800 lbs of your family's stuff into the 1400 cu ft. rental.
Yeah, do not underestimate how much space you will need.
Sounds like you need a 40 footer.
Our load was about the same.
We moved from NC to TX and had a 26 foot truck. I thought I would get all my stuff in there but ended up having to put stuff in storage and come back and drive a 16 foot truck a 2nd time.
You will have to drive the 26 foot and have your wife follow you in a 16 foot truck.
But that rental cost and fuel, you may break even with the PODs or some other "you load and they pickup" solution.
My husband packed a LR set, 2 Bedroom sets, DR set, fridge, washer, dryer and maybe 70 boxes?, not sure into the larges U-Haul truck years ago. He packed like a pro, well better. The washer and dryer went in last and I can still see them right at the edge of the truck. We had no space in that truck. How he did it I don't know. But, make sure all your boxes are same sized (most) cuz they'll stack easier--70 small or 70 medium. Uneven sized boxes stack harder and take more space up. Plan out in your mind how/where things will go. Take legs off chairs, tables.
Throw away everything unnecessary. Really, don't be shy about keeping stuff you haven't used or won't use or is cheaper or same cost to replace. Even unnecessary clothing, furniture, dishes, glassware. Some stuff is easier to replace.
You're really taking your stove?
Are your refrigerator and freezer both newer and efficient? If they aren't, sell them on craigslist.
The televisions need to be in special boxes. If you can do without one or two, you'll save some money.
Some things that you haven't mentioned are also space-hogs. Do you have lamps? Framed pictures? Mirrors?
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