Packing Tips | Estes SureMove

Pack like a pro

It’s time for the main event of moving: Packing up. We all know this can be the most dreaded part of starting over, but if you review our tips, you’ll be a packing pro in no time.

With SureMove, we don’t load or touch your stuff. This means you are responsible for properly packaging and padding your items, and you must follow our Do Not Haul List. If something is damaged in transit and it’s not our fault, you may not be able to file a claim.

Click Here to watch the Packing Guide video for helpful tips on packing the trailer to help make your move as stress free as possible.

Space Estimator

With Estes SureMove, you only pay for the space you use. Utilizing our handy Space Estimator, you can budget your time and money—whether you’re packing up a cozy studio apartment, or a spacious five-bedroom house.

The Basics

Use new packing boxes rather than old ones
Seal packed boxes with packing tape instead of duct tape
Pack rooms one at a time and color-code them based on room
Don't mix items from different rooms in the same box
Pack heavy items in small, manageable boxes (like books)
Pack heavier items under lighter ones to prevent crushing

What you’ll need:

Essentials

Sturdy, double-corrugated boxes
Packing tape/box tape and dispenser Flat-screen TV boxes Mattress bags
Wardrobe boxes
Sandwich bags to hold small parts and hardware (tape them to their corresponding item)
Color-coded stickers for each room (affix to the boxes according to their contents)

Protection

Furniture pads and blankets
Bubble wrap and stretch wrap
Cardboard and newspaper (to wrap and buffer fragile items)
Tarps to place under and over your possessions on the trailer

Tools

Work gloves
Dolly/hand truck
Scissors
Box cutter or pocket knife
Small tool kit (with at least one flathead screwdriver, one Phillips head screwdriver, a hammer and an adjustable wrench)

Bracing

Ratchet straps
Rope
Bungee cords
Nails and wood blocks (for anchoring freight on the trailer floor to prevent shifting)

Pack to protect

Wrap glassware in bubble wrap, padded paper or towels/linens and place each piece (standing up, not flat) in a box filled with wadded newspaper, Styrofoam peanuts, or additional linens
Place flat-screen TVs in a box specifically made for them
Wedge softer items (pillows and other bedding in a large plastic bag) between boxes and furniture to fill in gaps and keep your belongings from shifting while the truck is in motion.
Completely fill each packed box to help prevent its contents from shifting
Protect your furniture by wrapping it with furniture pads or bubble wrap
Pack your electronics in their original boxes and packaging, if possible
Whenever possible, disassemble furniture before loading
Protect mirrors and large wall art by covering them with bubble wrap or heavy cardboard

Appliances and machinery

Secure stove doors, knobs, electric cords and heating elements with packing tape or stretch wrap and secure doors with a rope or bungee cord
Disconnect and empty your washing machine’s hoses and put them inside the unit
Drain the fuel and oil from lawnmowers, chainsaws, and other gasoline-powered yard equipment
Remove refrigerator shelves and trays and pack them separately
Use a bungee cord or stretch wrap to tie down refrigerator doors and secure

Another reason why Estes SureMove is such a smart choice is that you pay only for the space you use on our moving truck. Use our handy Space Estimator below, or download the printable PDF to the right, to help you budget your time and money—whether you're packing up a cozy studio apartment or even a spacious 5-bedroom house.

Download Space Estimator PDF

Moving from Apartments & Homes

Size of Your Residence	(or)	Square Footage of Home	Linear Feet of Trailer Space	Cubic Feet of Loading Space
Studio Apartment	(or)	Under 600	4'	288
1-Bedroom Apartment	(or)	600–800	6'	432
1-Bedroom House	(or)	800–1,000	8'	576
1-Bedroom House Plus	(or)	1,000–1,200	10'	720
2-Bedroom Apartment	(or)	1,200–1,400	12'	864
2-Bedroom House	(or)	1,400–1,600	14'	1,008
2-Bedroom House Plus	(or)	1,600–1,800	16'	1,152
3-Bedroom Apartment	(or)	1,800–2,000	18'	1,296
3-Bedroom House	(or)	2,000–2,200	20'	1,440
3-Bedroom House Plus	(or)	2,200–2,400	22'	1,584
4-Bedroom Apartment	(or)	2,400–2,600	24'	1,728
4-Bedroom House	(or)	2,600–2,800	26'	1,872
4-Bedroom House Plus	(or)	2,800–3,000	28'	2,016
5-Bedroom Apartment	(or)	3,000–3,300	36'	2,592
5-Bedroom House	(or)	3,300–3,600	44'	3,168
5-Bedroom House Plus	(or)	3,600–4,000	53'	3,816

Compare SureMove Trailer Space with a Moving Truck

Estes SureMove – Linear Ft. of Trailer Space	Compares to Space You Get in a Moving Truck
8 Linear Feet	10–12-Ft. Truck
10 Linear Feet	14-Ft. Truck
14 Linear Feet	17–18-Ft. Truck
20 Linear Feet	24-Ft. Truck
22 Linear Feet	26-Ft. Truck

Note: The typical trailer is 28 feet long, 8 feet wide and 9.5 feet tall. As an example of how much space you will get, if you order 14 linear feet, you will get space that is 14 feet long, 8 feet wide and 9.5 feet tall.

Space Estimator: Moving a Storage Unit

Size of Storage Unit	(or)	Square Footage of Storage Unit	Linear Feet of Trailer Space	Cubic Feet of Loading Space
5' x 10' Storage	(or)	50	10'	720
10' x 10' Storage	(or)	100	18'	1,296
10' x 20' Storage	(or)	200	22'	1,584

Note: When estimating the amount of trailer space you need, allow a bit more room for large pieces of furniture including large appliances (washer, dryer, etc.) and outdoor furniture.