Statistical data from 2021 indicates that tens of millions of people move houses every year. A typical American adult is expected to move nearly 12 times over the course of an entire life. That is a lot of moving. It is also a lot of practice putting furniture on a truck and securing it with tie-downs.
Tying furniture down is a safety matter. We secure large pieces of furniture to prevent them from moving around, tipping over or, worse yet, falling off in transit. Securing furniture with tie-down straps or ropes protects it from damage and mitigates the risk of other people being injured by falling furniture.
The Risk Is Very Real
To someone familiar with tying down furniture, securing a load is all about mitigating risk. Rest assured the risk is very real. On the back of a pickup truck or open trailer, any furniture that is not tied down poses a threat. But even inside a box truck, furniture that isn’t secured can shift and move. It can tip and fall as well. If you want to ensure the safety of your furniture during transportation you can get your furniture delivered for less with our expert services.
The biggest offenders are taller pieces like china cabinets and buffets. But any piece of furniture could move. The heavier, the greater the risk. That is why it’s always advisable to tie down:
- couches and loveseats
- mattresses and box springs
- coffee tables, end tables, etc.
- chairs of all types
- floor lamps, coat racks, etc.
It only takes one tragic move to teach the lesson of just how important tying down furniture is. Unfortunately, it is usually too late to save a piece of furniture that has already fallen.
Pack With a Plan
Smart movers don’t randomly grab items and throw them on the truck. Instead, they plan things out ahead of time. They know exactly what is going to be packed and the order in which it’s going to be put on the truck. Things are fit together like a puzzle, ensuring minimum movement. After that, tie-downs straps become the icing on the cake.
High risk pieces need to be packed very carefully. In addition to using tie-downs, smart movers also take advantage of moving blankets and edge protectors. Both are extremely helpful in preventing damage when furniture comes into contact with other items.
It is also important to pay attention to how tightly straps are pulled. For the purposes of moving furniture, you might be better off with a cam buckle strap as opposed to a ratchet strap. There is a big difference.
Cam Buckle Straps Are Better
A cam buckle strap is a better option for tying down furniture because it gives you a lot more control. Rollercam’s cam buckle utilizes a rotating cam over which the strap runs. As you pull the strap, a toothed clasp applies pressure and digs into the webbing to keep it secure. The beauty here is that you are tightening it with your hand rather than a ratchet.
As its name implies, the ratchet strap relies on a ratchet to hold things in place. Ratchets are less forgiving because they rely on a notched gear. You might get to a point where a strap is still too loose but one more crank would make it too tight. What do you do then?
Regardless of your tie-down of choice, the lesson is still clear: moving furniture without securing it is risky to the furniture. It can also be risky to your moving helpers and other drivers on the road. Do not take your chances. Tie-downs straps are cheap and easy to use. They could save you a ton of headaches by preventing furniture from moving and falling.