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Tools To Move Like a Pro

A woman, man and child sit among boxes ready to move.

When you're moving into a new home, it's important to find the right tools for the job. Each moving situation is unique and requires a different approach, so these tips from Penske’s moving experts will give you a better idea of what you'll need to move with ease.


Packing Up

Before you start packing, take a look at what you're taking with you. This allows you to estimate how many packing materials you'll need. Below is a list of common necessities for most movers.

  • Boxes
  • Packing tape
  • Protective wrap
  • Tie downs
  • Mattress covers
  • Box cutters
  • Packing paper
  • Box markers
  • Padlock

We offer a simpler solution to purchasing moving supplies - pick them up directly from your local Penske shop.

Our Plan Your Move resource is a helpful tool that offers step-by-step directions for planning your move.

Selecting a Truck

Finding the right truck size depends on how much you need to move. Our moving experts have the following recommendations:

  • High roof cargo van – Up to one room
  • 12 ft. truck – One to two rooms
  • 16 ft. truck – Two to three rooms
  • 22 ft. truck – Three to four rooms
  • 26 ft. truck – Five to seven rooms

Still not sure? Take some of the guesswork out of finding the right truck with the Penske Truck Wizard. This tool recommends the right truck size based on a custom checklist of all the items you're moving.

Our customer service team can offer additional recommendations to save you a lot of headaches. Call 1-888-996-5415 for experienced insight that can make your moving process a lot easier.

Finding the Right Hardware

Once everything is packed away and your truck is selected, the next step is to determine which tools will offer the most help during your move.

Hand Truck – Hand trucks can haul multiple boxes at a time and help move heavy items with less effort. Each hand truck has a stair climber, so moving heavy items up a flight of steps will be less strenuous.

Furniture Pads – These protect your furniture from damage and dirt. They're also useful for wrapping large, fragile items. The number of pads you need will vary based on the size of your rental truck.

We recommend the following:

  • 12 ft. truck – 12 pads
  • 16 ft. truck – 12 pads
  • 22 ft. truck – 24-36 pads
  • 26 ft. truck – 36-48 pads

Towing Equipment – In some cases, towing equipment may be the only way to move a car to your new home. We offer tow dollies and car carriers, but if you are unsure about what you need, this guide can help.

Safety First

It’s important to stay safe during every stage of a moving journey. And while your moving truck should come equipped with a first-aid kit, here are a few additional items to make your move safer.

  • Flashlight
  • Road cones
  • Flairs
  • Blankets
  • Overnight bag with extra clothes
  • An additional first-aid kit
  • Food and water

Professional Movers

Sometimes the right tool is a trusted moving professional to help you relocate your home without the added stress. Professionals like Simple Moving Labor bring expertise, efficiency and the right equipment to handle your belongings. Whether they’re packing, loading, unloading, driving your rental truck or all of the above, quality professionals can provide:

  • Less stress – they handle the heavy lifting
  • Expertise in packing and moving
  • The right tools to ensure your belongings are safe and secure
  • Peace of mind and the ability to focus on other tasks
  • An efficient and organized move
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