Tips for Packing a Car for Moving

October 23, 2018Car Tips and Tricks
Julie Grace

Originally from The Golden City, Julie has explored the ins and outs of moving and has written all the tips down.

Once the big decision is made and you start planning a move to another home, you shouldn’t forget about packing a car for moving as well. After all, around 90% of American households have at least one vehicle, and it’s completely normal to want your four-wheeler with you. So, take some time to learn what’s the best way to prepare and store as much stuff in it as possible.

Packing a Car for Moving – What Is the Best Way to Do It?

If you realize that it would be impossible to live without a car, embrace some useful car shipping advice and learn how to prepare it for the move. After all, moving day tips aren’t the only thing to think about if you are bringing your four-wheeler with you – prepare for loading vehicles as well.

And the most efficient method is to hire a reliable USA auto transport company and book some moving services. Having this solved, you’ll be able to decide between open and enclosed carriers and pick the most suitable transport – door-to-door auto transport and terminal-to-terminal car shipping.

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Figure Out What Items to Pack and What to Get Rid Of

Relocation to another home is a stressful event. However, you just have to organize everything if you want to avoid all the relocation stress. The best starter would be deciding which stuff you’ll bring with you and which one you’ll leave, especially when transporting cars from state to state and you want some of the stuff to store in your four-wheeler.

If you’re wondering how to move out for the first time, then you have to know that certain stuff movers just can’t move, and there’s no better way than to transport them with you. So, here are the items you should transport in your vehicle:

  • Hazardous materials,
  • Perishables,
  • Plants,
  • Medicines,
  • Important documents like birth certificates, insurance policies, passports, and wills,
  • Change of clothes,
  • Cellphones, laptops, and other electronics,
  • Jewelry,
  • Snacks and beverages.

If you’re still not sure what to do with all of these things, some of the charity organizations, like Goodwill, will certainly accept food and many other products you don’t require anymore.

Sort the Belongings You’ll Pack and Make a Checklist

Prior to loading your belongings, the first thing you must do is organize everything. Have everything properly divided, from clothing, small furniture, and electronics to breakables. After that, decide which stuff will go into the truck and which will stay in your car. This will provide you with some insight into how to make the most of the storage of the four-wheeler.

Packed electronics, clothes, and other valuables should ideally be with you at all times. By doing this, you can readily access your valuables while traveling without having to search the truck. However, in the whole relocation chaos, it can be quite easy to forget some of your essentials. In order to prevent that, create a checklist with all of the things you want to bring with you in the four-wheeler.

Forget About Buying New Stuff While Moving

If you’ve been relocating for quite some time now, you might find this one extremely difficult. Don’t worry; these psychological effects are completely normal when someone frequently relocates. No wonder why many people start buying stuff they don’t really need. Try not to make any purchases while you are relocating. It’s probably the last thing needed right now. Focus on the belongings you have and put off shopping for a period after the move-in.

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Prepare the Car Before the Big Move

When you decide to move, checking what the best US cities for driving are (and what the worst ones are) is a must when a four-wheeler is an important part of your life. After that, you should seriously begin with all the preparations of the four-wheeler for a big move.

You should never begin loading your car before you’ve first unpacked it. Examine every niche and remove anything you don’t need so that nothing unnecessary ends up loaded and traveling with you. It could be best to vacuum the interior as well, making the vehicle feel extra clean and prepared for transporting you and your belongings to a new location.

Visit the Trustworthy Mechanic and Ensure Your Vehicle Is Ready for the Trip

When planning a multi-day cross-country transfer or road trip, it’s crucial to be completely sure of your four-wheeler. Prior to leaving, try to do the following steps:

  • Check your tires for bulges, tears, and unusual wear,
  • Ensure that all your tires, including the spare, are inflated; the recommended PSI may be found on the sidewall,
  • Check the coolant and oil levels, add more if necessary, or get them replaced if they’re past due,
  • Power steering fluid should be examined,
  • Have antifreeze (coolant) and a quart of oil to keep on hand for emergencies,
  • Ensure your car jack is in the trunk and that you have one,
  • Verify the functionality of your flashers, turn signals, and headlights.

Improvise and Make More Free Space in Your Four-Wheeler

To discover all the possible storage areas, take a step back and examine your four-wheeler again. Don’t overlook storage areas like the pockets on the backs of the seats, the space under the seats, and others. Some vehicles allow you to use the free room around the spare tire, but you should check to ensure it’s still reachable.

Check Some of the Best Tips for Packing a Car When Moving

Determine which objects you’ll want to access frequently and which you won’t once you’ve confirmed all of them fit in your vehicle. Make use of the room you have available without sacrificing safety or comfort. So, pack your passport and birth certificate first because you surely won’t need them during the trip.

If you are traveling alone, pack as much as the passenger seat and footwell can hold. Just be careful not to pile them up so high that they block the view on the back and side windows or fall over if you have to brake quickly or change lanes.

Leave the spaces close to doors and hatchbacks open to store belongings you’ll use every day, such as clothing, toiletries, medications, snacks for your kids, and pet food. Remember that things near the windows and doors, unfortunately, are more likely to be stolen, so safeguard your belongings and park as near to people and establishments as you can.

Learn some amazing tips on how to give extra protection to your four-wheeler in the video below.

YouTube video

Consider Investing in External Cargo

Like relocating for the first time isn’t stressful enough, but you have to think about preparing your four-wheeler and the stuff you’ll put in it. But it’s a step you just shouldn’t omit. So, remember to pack your car’s roof when doing so. Many cars allow you to store cargo on an overhead carrier, freeing up space within the car. Use the carrier to store stuff you know you won’t need while traveling. Using a rooftop rack instead, you can avoid paying for the transportation of bikes and other gear in a moving truck.

Use Bags Instead of Large Boxes and Save Much-Needed Space

Hard-sided luggage, storage bins, boxes, and baskets won’t fit in your car’s nooks and crannies, where you might want to store belongings. Instead, cram as much as you can into bags, including duffle, tote, garbage bags, and backpacks. Just ensure the contents won’t break and cause bigger damage.

Try to stay away from using big boxes when packing products that require the stability of a sturdy container. When it is feasible, separate several items into separate small containers and choose a box that precisely matches the size of the object. It can be challenging to find a position for a large box and then load it in your car, but small boxes can fit into odd spaces with greater ease. Lastly, large boxes can also limit the driver’s visibility, which is another reason you should avoid them.

Take Care of Bulky Items Like Clothes and Bedding With Vacuum Storage Bags

Bulky clothing, bedding, pillows, and towels can all be packed in vacuum storage bags. Your belongings will be neatly packed, which will allow you to fit more stuff into your automobile. Once the air is gone, a vacuum storage bag will also shrink considerably, making it possible for them to fit tightly between other packed goods.

These are some of the more subtle things to consider when relocating to a new state and shipping cars in the USA. Whether you’re relocating alone or not, keep in mind these hacks will help you move more efficiently and without stress. If you require more tips on how to move like a pro, check some of the hacks in the video below.

YouTube video

Hire a Professional Car Shipping Company and Ensure Your Relocation Is a Breeze

Yes, for some people driving stress can be just too overwhelming, and you need to know it’s completely normal. So, the best thing to do is choose the right auto shipping company that can take care of your four-wheeler and transport it to your new home effortlessly. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare it for shipping. Also, keep in mind all the tips we got for you and pick what’s more suitable for you – an open carrier or the enclosed auto transport.

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FAQ

What's the Most Efficient Way to Prepare a Car?

The key to loading well is to prioritize your belongings, load heavy goods first, and fill empty areas around them with lighter stuff – you can also use bubble wrap and packing paper to do it.

How Do You Move in Just a Car?

You can move with just a car by making several trips, but you’ll have to hire professionals or rent a truck for things like sofas and other furniture pieces and appliances.

How Do I Fit Everything in My Car?

Before leaving for your new home, your belongings should fit in your car if you have everything planned, sorted, and packed properly.

What Should I Pack in the Trunk of My Car?

Luggage packed with clothing, toys, and bedding wrapped in trash bags are all examples of large, non-breakable objects that aren’t very sensitive to temperature variations and work well in trunks. Ensure the bottles of antifreeze and oil are properly loaded into the trunk so that they won’t spill.

What Should I Pack First?

Generally speaking, it’s preferable to prepare the stuff you won’t be needing right after you reach the new destination first and reserve your car for belongings you’ll regularly need, such as clothes, snacks, and medications.

How Should I Pack Breakables and Other Valuable Items?

It is recommended to wrap fragile goods in bubble wrap and place them in a box for a typical relocation while transporting them in a car.

Stay Safe and Don’t Let Anything to Chances

Filling your car to the brim won’t be worth it if safety is on the line. Never store anything in the driver’s seat footwell or on the floor behind the driver’s seat until the seat has been adjusted to the driver’s preferred distance, both in terms of loading capacity.

Visibility is crucial. Don’t obstruct the driver’s view out the windows, in the side mirrors, or from the rearview. Don’t load all the heavier items on one side of your four-wheelers – keep its balance in mind as well.

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