Intro
- Packing into a small car can feel like a mission for a clown, but it’s a necessary task if you’re moving across the country and want to take your car with you.
- Don’t panic, instead rely on these strategies to get the job done right.
Do the Right Preparation
- You have limited space, have your purged everything you can purge? Donate, recycle, toss anything that’s not coming with you.
- Packing in a car calls for minimalism.
- Create an inventory of everything you have, so you can double check it before you set off and when you unpack.
- If you find that you have too much stuff for your car, you may want to consider hiring professional movers to help you haul your bigger items like furniture.
Start With a Clean Slate: Clear Out Your Car
- May seem obvious, but you must must must clear out your car first. Not only does this show you how much room you actually have to work with, but it also just feels good to start with a clean slate and scope out the situation.
- When you start with a clean car, you won’t wonder whether something that’s usually in your car made it into the car. You will be able to consciously pack everything.
- Remove EVERYTHING: snow scraper, extra trash bags, random tools and nick nacks from work. Start fresh.
Pack Your Car the Night Before
- IF you have a garage, pack your car the night before (rethink that if you live in a shady neighborhood or have reason to believe your care will be broken into … even safe neighborhoods have burglars.)
- Lay out all your stuff and line it up in the order you’re going to pack it.
Pack Like Tertris
- The best way to pack is strategically.
- Rule of thumb: pack in the order you ill need to use something (it’s easy to accidentally do this the other way around).
- Use Bags, not boxes … you can fit more items in the car.
- Use every nook and cranny - cup holders, side pockets, under the seats … it’s all up for grabs (just remember all your “safe” spaces).
Use Overhead Carriers
- These are a lifesaver, you can put a lot of gear and tubs that are awkward in size and shape on top of your car.
DRAFT:
So you’re moving across country, but you don’t want to leave your teal blue hatchback, “Reggie Roads,” that has been with you through thick and thin since college days. Plus, the moving truck isn’t going to get to your new home for another couple of weeks and you just can’t see yourself lasting that long without your favorite lava lamp. How do you pack all the things you’ll need in your small car that has a trunk the size of a bread box? Moving in your car can be a daunting task. Don’t panic. Read on for some tips for moving across country in a small car.
Do The Right Preparation
Moving in a small car is all about minimalism. Ask yourself: Do I really need those 30 beanie babies I’ve been holding onto since the 90s? Perhaps now’s the time to sell your transformer action figure collection on Craig’s List. Isn’t it time that you donate your funky gecko sock collection to a child in need? It’s time to toss, recycle and donate anything that isn’t absolutely necessary to bring with you to your new life. Time to get your purge on!
Once you’ve purged, create a list of inventory of everything you have so you can double check it before you set off and when you unpack. This way you won’t be agonizing over the fact that you left your favorite flashlight 500 miles away when you arrive at your new place. If you find that you have too much stuff for your car, you may want to consider hiring professional movers to help you haul bigger items like furniture, sound systems or your ginormous television.
Start With A Clean Slate: Clear Out Your Car
Once you’ve narrowed down which items will go in your car, it’s time to make room for them. Start by cleaning out your car. Not only will it be nice to have a clean car when you’re ready to hit the road, but it will allow you a better view of the lay of the land so you can visualize which items can go where. Resist the urge to leave things that you store in the car (snow scraper, extra trash bags, random tools and knick knacks from work) in the car. Clear everything out first so you can pack it back in the most efficient and space-saving way.
Pack Your Car the Night Before
If you have a garage, pack your car the night before. This will save you time in the morning when you’re trying to get out of Dodge. It’s no fun packing the day of when it takes longer than you estimated and before you know it, you’re only barely pulling out of the driveway at midnight. It’s much better to be able to get up, jump in your car, grab a coffee, beat the morning rush hour traffic and go! On the other hand, if you don’t have a garage, you may want to be cautious about leaving all your belongings in the car overnight while it’s parked on the street. Even in a safe neighborhood, a car full of belongings may attract burglars.
Pack Like Tertris
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of packing for your car. Be strategic. First, the best way to pack a car for a road trip is to be mindful of packing things in order of when you will need to use them. In other words pack the things you won’t need right away first (desk lamp), and those you will need last(cat calendar). Second, use bags, not boxes. Boxes take up precious small-car real estate while bags can fit more stuff. Finally, use every nook and cranny your car may have: cup holders, seat pockets, glove compartment, under the seats. Heck! You could probably fit a tube of toothpaste in the sun visor! Or a pair of shoes in the side door compartment! Just be sure not to create blind spots or to have anything loose that could fall on you while driving. After all, safety first!
Use Overhead Carriers
It may be worth investing in an overhead carrier, especially if your car is particularly compact. These carriers provide a lot more space for things like sports gear or plastic tubs that are awkward to try to fit inside the car. Be sure to strap it on tight with thick rope or nylon straps.
Conclusion
Not everyone has the luxury to buy a car once they get to their new city or town. You and Reggie Roads are in it for the long haul (pun totally and completely intended). We hope these tips help get the both of you safely to your new home. If you are in need of additional moving services or equipment, don’t hesitate to give the Moving Forward Sunnyvale Professional Movers a call for a FREE quote.
No comments:
Post a Comment