Mover's Boxes - Why You Should Use Them and Where to Find Them

Most moving companies will encourage you to use mover's boxes. This is not merely a way for the movers to increase sales. When movers pack a truck properly, they load the goods in tiers laterally across the truck. These tiers are usually either 18" or 24" wide, with an occasional double tier being 36" or 48" wide. It just so happens that mover's boxes are cut to fit these dimensions and thus make packing the goods in tightly a breeze. In addition, mover's boxes are built to withstand the weight which they are expected to transport, provided they are packed properly.

Mover's boxes are produced by many different manufacturers, so they are not all cut exactly the same, but they are all very similar.

A small box usually will have dimensions of 16" x 12.75" x 12.75" for a total space of 1.5 cubic feet. This box is best used for books, records, tapes, CDs, canned goods, weights, or other particularly heavy items.

Medium boxes are the real work horse for residential moves. The dimensions for a medium box are usually 18" x 16" x 18" for a total space of 3.0 cu ft. These boxes are generally used for moderately heavy items -- clothes, shoes, non glass kitchenware, packaged foods, bric-a-brac, small pictures, and generally all medium weight items found in a home.

Large boxes are usually 24" x 18" x 18" for a total space of 4.5 cu ft. These cartons are used for larger light items such as light clothes, linens, baskets, toys and games, and other light items.
Extra large boxes are usually cut to 23" x 20" x 23" for a total space of 6.1 cu ft and are used for very light bulky items such as pillows, comforters bulky children's toys and other light items.

Mover's boxes are available from a variety of sources. Moving companies are a great place to obtain them, but they are also available at rental truck facilities, packaging store locations, office supply stores, big box stores, and corrugated outlets. Used movers boxes are acceptable and provide financial savings as well as help us stay green.

Most movers stock used boxes. Some companies, notably the large van lines, will provide free used boxes with the move. Other companies sell used boxes at a discounted rate. Many folks are able to obtain either free or cheap used boxes from sites such as craigslist, or by asking the neighborhood. Often a new resident will have used boxes to discard.