Taking a break every 25-30 minutes is essential to prevent overheating and dehydration. Flickr CC via Jabzg
With a large majority of DIY moves occurring during the summer months, it’s extremely important to keep both yourself and all of your belongings at a comfortable temperature. The back of a moving truck can become an oven if left out in the sun — one of the many reasons why it’s important to never let a passenger ride in the back of a truck.
There are a few things you can pro-actively do while moving during summer months to keep temperature issues in check. The average temp across the United States in June is 70 degrees — and while that may not seem hot, remember that it’s a total average and the lower extremes in Maine and factored in with the desert heat of Arizona.
Take Frequent Breaks
The best way to protect yourself from the heat is by taking frequent breaks — unfortunately most people don’t have time to wait for the sun to go down or for a cooler day. You have to face the facts and brace for the direct sun. Taking frequent breaks for water and rest is one of the most efficient ways to keep your body cool. Overworking yourself can lead to danger down the road and that’s the last thing you want to deal with after you’ve moved into a new place. There is no shame in staying hydrated and healthy!
Choose Clothing Wisely
You’ve just driven countless hours in a truck, maybe even towing a trailer along too, so the choice of clothing may not have been at the forefront of your mind. It’s a good idea to pack a separate bag, easily accessible, with a t-shirt, shorts and a good pair of sneakers or work shoes. Trying to unload a truck in jeans or long sleeves is asking for trouble. Loose fitting, athletic style clothes are a great choice for unloading. Most newer fabrics have “breathable” technology built in to help keep you cool, which can be very helpful in the longrun.
Breathable clothing can help keep your internal body temperature down while doing physical activity.
Park the Moving Truck in the Shade
While the number one rule to remember pertaining to the back of the truck is to always keep it locked, the number two rule is just as important. The inside of cars can get up to 140 degrees when sitting in direct sunlight — you’ve heard the danger before of leaving pets and occupants in vehicles unattended. No air circulation is one of the many reasons why passengers are not allowed to ride in the back of a truck.
Your goods are just as important and may be subject to excessive heat as well. When thinking of finding shade remember that a moving truck has a high clearance and will most likely not fit in a garage or a car port. Look for a high tree that can provide shade for the truck, or park next to a building that can provide shade from the walls and roof. Something as simple as rethinking where you park can go a long way in keeping stuff cool.
Using 50 Gallon Trash Bags is a great way to keep your valuables dry and protected
Wrap Electronics
Summer months are known for excessive weather — pop up thunderstorms happen almost daily in places like Florida and the monsoon season is notorious in desert landscapes like Arizona. While a moving truck is designed to keep you and your belongings safe and secure, which includes weather, accidents do happen. We have seen cases of small amounts of water leaking through cracks in heavy storms. While the chances of that happening are extremely slim, if you know that you will be driving through torrential downpours, it might be smart to wrap water sensitive items like art and electronics.
50 gallon trash bags do the job perfectly and are a cheap, efficient way of getting the job done. You can buy a big box at your local grocery or home improvement store for under $20. Personally, I use those black bags as my go to form of protection for anything and they do a great job of protecting against minor scrapes and scratches as well!
Have you ever done a DIY move in extreme heat? Did you use one of these methods to keep stuff cool? Is there another method that you think works better? Let us know in the comments below.
