Loading Tips

Moving Heavy Items

If you have a large shipment or you're moving heavy items, you may want to use a ramp and moving dolly for loading. ABF ramps are complimentary with your U-Pack move and moving dollies are available through our Moving Boxes and Supply store.

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When you're handling heavier items, remember to "squat" and lift with your knees, not your back. Ask for help with anything that tests your limits.

Plan how you'll load

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Pre-planning how you'll load reduces loading time and fatigue. And, just as important, it ensures your belongings travel safer.

• Protect your shipment. Place cardboard or plastic sheeting on the floor of the trailer before you begin loading.
• Load heavy items first. Start with loading heavy appliances on the floor against the front wall of the trailer. Then continue by loading heavier items toward the front of the trailer and on the floor. Save the space above for lighter items.
• Stand couches on end. Long pieces, such as sofas, can stand on end. Just anchor them with other large heavy items. This type of furniture normally takes up a significant amount of space. Standing it on its end reduces its "footprint" greatly.
• Load fragile items on top. Load lighter items and boxes marked "fragile" on top and properly secure them. Load all items as tightly as possible to reduce shifting, rubbing and puncturing during transit.
• Use blankets and padding. Be generous with moving blankets and padding, and place cardboard under anything that may be scuffed or soiled by riding directly on the floor of the trailer.
• Load mattresses and upholstered furniture up off of the floor.
• Use fillers to fill gaps. Use bagged pillows, stuffed animals and furniture cushions as well as additional paper and cardboard to fill all gaps and spaces. Please keep in mind that ABF trailers are not air-ride.
• Check out the 'do not ship' list. There are certain items that cannot be shipped within a U-Pack shipment. Please familiarize yourself with the "do not ship" items that should be discarded or transported another way.
• Cover your shipment. As a final step, you will want to protect your shipment from becoming dusty by covering it with large sheets of plastic. Plastic sheets are cheap, easy to find and definitely worth purchasing for extra protection.
• Install the bulkhead. Once everything is loaded and secured, you will install a divider wall or "bulkhead" (this only applies to trailer moves). The bulkhead is delivered with your ABF trailer. The bulkhead should be installed with care. Please refer to our bulkhead information page for installation tips.