Planning your next move for the summer months? Summer is the most popular time of the year to move, so you won’t be alone. If you can, move on a weekday in the middle of the month to avoid as much traffic as possible. Avoid the last weekend in July, because this weekend is very popular for traveling. In order to make the moving process as smooth as possible, follow these tips for unloading a truck in the summer months:
Avoid Heat and Traffic
Plan to arrive at your new home in either the early morning or late evening to avoid unloading in the heat. Pack an ice cooler with plenty of water, Gatorade, and fruit to keep you energized throughout the day and keep it in the cabin of your moving truck.
When parking your truck, try to find an area with lots of shade. However, remember that a moving truck has a high clearance and will most likely not fit in a garage or a carport. Look for a high tree that can provide shade for the truck, or park next to a building that can provide shade. Rethinking where you park when unloading a truck can go a long way in keeping you and your stuff cool.
Stay Protected
To keep cool during your move, make sure to wear light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing to keep your skin protected. Most newer fabrics have “breathable” technology built in to help keep you cool, which can be very helpful in the long-run. Wear at least SPF 30 sunscreen, and reapply it throughout the day as needed. For more tips on staying cool during your move, read here.
Kids and Pets
Moving day is a big day for every member of the family, so make sure your kids and pets (especially dogs and cats) are occupied while you do the dirty work. Your children will need a safe and cool place to play and stay out of the way. If you can, arrange for a sitter to watch them while you are unloading a truck. If you have pets – especially dogs and cats – arrange for them to be supervised as well.
Things to Keep Out of Moving Truck
Temperatures inside of a moving truck can also get very warm, so be sure to keep perishables and items that can melt out of the heat by packing them separately and getting them inside immediately. For example, candles in a truck driving in the summer will melt all over your other stuff, so carry them with you instead of in a box with dividers. Leather upholstered furniture will “sweat” if wrapped in plastic, wrap it in a pad instead. CD’s, videos and cassette tapes can warp in a hot truck.
Hire Moving Help
Most importantly, make your move go by faster by hiring help. Research movers in the area to fit your needs best. You can hire even just a couple of workers for an hour or two depending on the size of your moving truck! This decreases the amount of time spent outside, and lets you get a head-start on unpacking!
What do you do to keep cool during your summer move? Share your tips in the comments below!
