How to Load Your Rental Container for a Move

There’s no doubt that moving can be stressful as it means that you will be packing, organizing and picking up your entire life to transport it to another location. This often entails detailed planning and scheduling as you make arrangements on the go.

When moving, you know that the little things such as which boxes you use, and how you secure your fragile items make all the difference. After all, you would never want to open your storage container only to find broken and damaged goods. Whether you’re planning a move (or in the middle of one), here are some of the main things you need to keep in mind when loading up your storage container.

Have a Plan

First of all, you don’t want to start loading up your shipping container without a solid plan in place. Never go in blindly. If you’re a visual person, create a map of where you need to put items and what will go where.

Measure your items and boxes for accuracy. You can use some tape on the floor of an empty room to map out the measurements of your portable container. This way, you can practise lining items up in the arrangement you have in mind. Always create an inventory or spreadsheet of items that you need to pack and move. This will come in handy and help ensure that nothing goes missing or becomes forgotten on moving day.

Keep the Path Clear

It’s very important when loading a shipping container for a move, that you keep a dedicated path clear of items so that you can move comfortably as you load. It makes no sense to cram all your items into the container with no idea how you will load more items or unload them after moving.

You may want to line the pathway with your flattened cardboard boxes so that you create a smooth path with no obstructions that can cause you to trip, drop items or damage furniture. Many people forget to create a loading path, which causes them to divert from their original plan, pack items haphazardly, and drop or damage items/boxes along the way.

Pack Items Tightly

Ideally, your items should be packed in the storage container with little room to move or shift around. Stack your boxes in sections and always put heavier boxes as the foundation. Don’t worry about getting it totally perfect, just try to stack up to the ceiling and against the walls as much as humanly possible.

Use loading straps to secure down each section. Try to pack the items that you need easy access to first as these will be the last things taken off, and can be loaded right by the door. You want to make sure your storage container is packed tightly and securely, as you don’t want items floating or shifting around. This makes them susceptible to damage, especially when being transported on a bumpy road.

You will need ratchet straps or ties to secure everything when you have fully loaded your items. This keeps items from falling or shifting once you reopen the door. Once you have packed up everything and strapped it in, don’t forget to use a secure strong disc lock and keep the key on you at all times. You should be the only one with the key (and not the moving company).

Be Mindful of Weight Limit

Many people aren’t aware that certain shipping containers come with weight limits when loading/moving items. Unless you use a crane, there is a limit to how much you can store on a loaded container move via tilt-and-load truck.

Be cautious and mindful of these regulations. If you are unsure, check in with the container company and ask any questions you may have. They should be able to identify weight limits and guide you as to best practices.

Disperse Weight Evenly

As mentioned previously, it’s very important that you disperse weight evenly (as much as possible), when packing and loading your shipping container. This will help you to maximize your space and stabilize the container for transport. It will also ensure that the shifting of items doesn’t happen frequently. If you have to fill in spaces around furniture and heavier items, do so with lighter boxes and smaller items.

Avoid Chemicals and Corrosives

When storing and loading up your container for a move, there are definitely some items that you need to steer clear of altogether. For safety reasons, you should never store or transport chemicals and corrosives. This includes (but is not limited to), batteries, fire extinguishers, bleach, fertilizer, pesticides, fireworks, pool chemicals, kerosene and anything flammable or considered hazardous.

Perishable items are also not allowed as well as plants or pets. You can keep these items with you personally instead of loading them up in your shipping container. If you are unsure whether or not you can load an item in your shipping container, it’s best to ask a representative at the container company for guidance.

Keep Proper Documentation

Always keep any legal documents and your bill of lading with you during the process of loading and moving your shipping container. You may also need to sign a damage waiver form from the container company.

Make sure you have signed the necessary agreements and that you are following all rules and guidelines. Keeping your paperwork handy will simplify the process should you be requested for any information or should you run into any issues along the way.

While moving can be difficult, if done correctly, the process should go smoothly. You won’t have to worry that your items will become damaged or broken due to the move. When you pack right and load your shipping container wisely, you can rest assured that your items will be safe and secure. If ever you are unsure, it doesn’t hurt to ask a professional or to refer to your container company for more information.

For more information on storage containers for rent and moving your rental container, please contact Sigma Container at 1-877-225-7762 or contact us here.