8 Things That Do Not Belong on a Moving Truck

Introduction

Moving can be a stressful experience, and if you’re not careful, it can also become an expensive one. When renting a moving truck, certain items should never be placed inside or loaded onto it. These items can pose serious safety risks or even damage the truck itself. Knowing what does not belong on a moving truck is just as important as knowing what does go on board.

Flammable Materials

Moving can be stressful and exciting all at the same time, but it’s important to remember that certain items should never go in a rented moving truck. One of the most important rules when it comes to moving is that flammable materials should never be stored in a truck. Flammable materials such as gasoline, lighter fluid, propane tanks, paint thinner, and fireworks are especially dangerous and could potentially cause serious damage to both the people and their belongings.

Illegal Items

If you’re transporting any materials that are illegal or forbidden by law, they must never be placed in the rented moving truck. These include all illegal materials such as firearms, drugs, and other pieces forbidden by the state or federal government. Placing these on a moving truck could result in serious legal action being taken against you, so it is vital to always check the laws and thoroughly inspect the inventory before hiring one.

Perishable Food Items

While it may be tempting to pack all of your belongings onto the moving truck, moving trucks aren’t refrigerated and may not remain cool for long periods. Therefore, perishable foods such as meats, dairy products, eggs, and any other food item requiring refrigeration to remain safe shouldn’t be stored inside them either. These include meats, dairy products, eggs, and any other food item that requires refrigeration to remain safe for consumption.

Hazardous Materials

Another key piece of advice for efficient moving services is to never include hazardous materials on your moving truck. A moving truck isn’t the ideal place to store hazardous materials, due to safety and legal reasons. Anything combustible, flammable, or corrosive shouldn’t be loaded onto the vehicle. This includes gasoline-powered machinery like lawnmowers, oil-based paints, cleaning chemicals, and pesticides. Not only can these products put both your health and the rented vehicle in danger, but you could also incur fines for violating road regulations imposed by governing bodies concerning hazardous materials transport.

Valuables

Moving can be a stressful process; having extra worries about the safety of your valuables adds to this stress. Whenever you are renting a moving truck, it is important to understand that valuables such as money, jewelry, and other important documents should never be stored or transported in a rented moving truck; these items should be carried on your person or placed in a safe container that is not accessible by others. This will ensure their safety throughout the duration of the move.

Large or Bulky Furniture

It is important to consider the size of furniture pieces when looking to move them. Large furniture pieces, such as armoires, dressers, and bookcases, can become too heavy or bulky for the moving truck. Therefore, if you have any large items of furniture that need to be moved, you should check with the rental company first to make sure they will fit inside the vehicle before making arrangements for your move.

Fragile Items

Although it’s a convenient way to transport cumbersome items such as furniture, some items do not belong in a moving truck. Fragile items such as glassware, antiques, artwork, and electronics are too vulnerable and could suffer irreversible damage if placed in a moving truck. Thus, for the best protection of these items during a move, they should be carefully packed and transported separately in your personal vehicle or a dedicated carrying container.

Animals or Pets

The other variable that should be avoided at all costs is transporting animals or pets using a moving truck. Though it may seem like a good idea, most moving companies strictly prohibit animals and pets in their vehicles due to safety concerns. Additionally, as moving trucks carry heavy and fragile items around tight corners, sharp turns, and long distances, having an animal in the vehicle can be distracting and unsafe for both the driver and the passenger. When planning your move, it’s important to remember that having your furry friends with you might put everyone involved at risk, and so leaving them at home or having them board with someone else ensures the moving process runs smoothly and keeps everyone — including your pet — safe throughout the process.

Conclusion

When renting a moving truck, it’s important to know what can and cannot go on a moving truck before you rent one. Flammable materials, illegal items, perishable food items, hazardous materials, and valuable possessions are all examples of things that don’t belong in a rented vehicle. By avoiding these items, you can ensure that your move is safe and damage-free. Be sure to ask the rental company if they have any additional restrictions on their trucks as well.