Have you decided to forego full service movers and pack and transport some of your belongings yourself? If so, you may be wondering how to pack your car for moving. Even if you’ve hired movers to move the majority of your stuff and only need to use your car for select items, you’ll still want to follow best practices. This way, you can make sure the entire process go smoothly.
Check out these 5 tips for how to pack a small car for moving:
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Organize and prioritize
The things you pack in your car should be small items that are too dear to you or fragile to entrust to a moving company. They shouldn’t just be the items that you forgot to put into a box. To ensure that the space in your car gets saved for precious items, you need to be organized. Make a list of everything you need to pack into boxes for the movers to take. Then, make a separate list of small items that you want to take with you in your car. Armed with your handy lists, you’ll make sure that the limited space in your car is reserved for the really important things.
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Clean your car
Even the biggest SUVs have limited space inside. To ensure that every square inch is available to you, make sure the insides of your car and trunk are clean. No empty potato chip bags, no soda cans, and no bags of clothes that you didn’t get a chance to bring over to Goodwill. You get the idea!
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Buy a car rack or carrier if necessary
If your list of things to pack in your car includes a few larger items, then buying a car rack or carrier is a fabulous way to create more space. There are also car racks specifically made for bicycles. That gives you the option of taking your bike with you as opposed to stuffing it in a moving truck.
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Avoid using moving boxes if possible
Moving boxes are great for items that go in a moving truck. When you’re using your car to move certain items though, boxes are bulky and impractical. Instead, look around your home for the best packing materials with which you can wrap fragile items. These can be towels, clothing, linen, and more. These packing materials take up less space than boxes, and they’re also things you need to take with you to your new home anyway.
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Don’t put dangerous items in your car
Moving companies have lists of items that are not allowed, specifically liquids that are flammable or toxic. If a moving truck won’t take these liquids, it’s a good idea for you to follow suit and not pack them in your car.
Should You Drive or Ship Your Car?
You may be thinking, “Packing my car and driving it to my new home sounds stressful. Are there any other options when it comes to moving my car?” The answer is yes! If you don’t want to drive your car to your new home, you can opt to ship it. Ask your moving company if it can take care of shipping your car. If it can’t, ask for recommendations for a company that can. Getting recommendations from industry insiders gives you a better chance at hiring a reliable company.
