How to Transport a Mattress
Transporting a mattress can often be tasking, but it does not necessarily have to be painful. You could start by calling in a favour from a family member or friend to get the process in motion. Also, if you know anyone who needs extra cash, you can ask them to help move your mattress. But it mostly requires physical strength and some technicalities to transport a bed successfully.
To be certain your relocation proceeds without a hitch, we have outlined some steps and tips you should consider. These pointers will assist you in going through the ordeal without any major bumps. We have also identified items you must use to have a hitch-free experience transporting a mattress.
Items You Need to Transport a Mattress
If you want to move your bed conveniently, consider getting professional movers to do the job. You can find out the cost of relocating your mattress with professional help. However, doing it yourself is also viable; you just need to get the right items and tools for the job.
With any luck, some of these tools may already be in your possession, or you can rent or buy others to move your mattress.
The items you need include:
1. Mattress Bag
A mattress bag reduces the risk of stains and prevents your mattress from damaging during transport. It also keeps off dust and dirt, especially if you move it on your vehicle top. Using a mattress bag ensures your mattress cover does not gather dirt in the moving process. Mattress bags are easy to find and purchase. And they are inexpensive. A $20 bag is enough investment to keep most mattresses safe and clean.
2. Hand Truck
Hand trucks come in handy when you need an extra hand to help you move your mattress. A hand truck makes transporting the bed from your bedroom to the transport vehicle easier. You can quickly get a hand truck from a hardware store or rent one for the move. But you can cut some costs in moving if you do not need one. Get people to help you lift the bed if it is too heavy to carry.
3. Ratchet Tie-Down Strap
You will need a ratchet tie-down strap to hold the mattress inside the truck. You will also need it to transport a bed on the car top. The ratchet straps ensure the mattress does not slip and slide off the vehicle while in motion. It is also a safety measure to prevent accidents on the road while travelling.
4. Shipping Tape
Shipping tapes come with robust adhesives and can protect your mattress during transport, and it is waterproof and will keep out moisture from your mattress bag. Ensure you seal your bag tight with packing tape to protect it from rain, dew, and other moisture that can damage the mattress. Alternatively, you can use masking or duct tape to seal the mattress bag.
5. Knife/Razor
A sharp knife or a razor blade is useful when unpacking the mattress. You will need these to cut the mattress bag at your destination. However, you must be careful not to cut the bed.
6. Tool Set
Most people do not move their mattresses; they also carry the bed frame along with it. If that is your plan, you require a toolset to make it happen. You will need screwdrivers and wrenches to take the bed frame apart. And when you reach your destination, you will need them to put the bed back together.
7. Sandwich Bags
When disassembling your bed, you can use a sandwich bag to store your screws, nuts, and bolts. Doing this can ensure that all parts are present during and after transport.
How to Move a Mattress in 8 Steps
Step 1: Prepare Your Transporting Vehicle
Firstly, you must decide on the vehicle you will use to transport your bed. You can use a car, SUV, van, or moving truck. If the seats in the back of your vehicle are not fixed, you can easily slide them out to create a floor space in your moving van.
Similarly, if you have a big mattress and your van has no sliding doors, you could lift your bed and drop it onto the vehicle’s roof.
You will need about 17 ft of rope to transport a queen mattress on your vehicle. Measure the length of the rope before starting. It is best to have a sufficient rope to wrap around twice after reaching the end.
Using a pickup truck is usually one of the best options. You only need to clear the trunk and clean it up. You could also prepare some rope if your bed is too large to fit in the space conveniently.
Step 2: Place Your Mattress in a Bag
Lay the mattress flat on the floor or wall. Lift one end while your partner slides the mattress bag over the mattress. You must press as much air out of the bag and ensure no air pockets are left in it. When you are sure all the air has been squeezed out of the bag, fold the flap down and tape the open end closed.
After sealing, look for small holes or tears in the bag and tape them to hold it in place. With that done, get your mattress ready for transport.
Step 3: Clear a Path
Plan the route to the vehicle and remove any objects or debris that may be blocking the aisle or stairs. Make sure all doors are open and wide enough to allow the mattress to pass when moving by a cart.
Step 4: Put the Mattress on a Hand Truck
Stand the mattress upright. Place it on the hand truck and push it to the vehicle. If your bed is upstairs, do not use the dolly to push it down the stairs. Just push the mattress down to the bottom of the stairs before placing it back on the dolly.
Also, if a hand truck or dolly is unavailable, push the mattress along the floor until you reach your vehicle. It is best to place cardboard on the floor if you move without a dolly. That way, you avoid damaging your mattress. Plus, it will make pushing more convenient.
Step 5: Place the Mattress on the Vehicle
Remove the mattress from the cart and place it in the truck bed. If you are transporting with a car or SUV, it most likely needs more space for the mattress. Hence, you must use the roof of your vehicle. In that case, it is essential to use a mattress bag to protect your mattress fabric.
Step 6: Secure the Mattress with Ratchet Strap
Put the mattress in position and be sure it sits well. Then strap it up with a ratchet strap to hold it in place. Tie the belt to the luggage rack if your vehicle has one. You should use the windows to tie the rope if there is no luggage rack. Pass the ratchet strap through the passenger door jam and the backseat windows.
You could double the strap if you have enough ratchet straps left. Ensure you double-check that the bed is properly secured before setting out.
Step 7: Drive Slowly
Driving with a heavy mattress atop or behind your car will take work. Be aware of stability issues on turns, sudden stops, and acceleration. Also, keep an eye on any shifting of the furniture. Avoid highways whenever possible and pay attention to roadways where you will likely encounter high winds and other elements.
Step 8: Unpack Gently
In the excitement of finally getting your bed to a new place, remember to unpack it gently. Avoid hauling your bed off the car top without precautions. Firstly, remove the straps around the bed, and get the dolly ready for transport. Then carry the bed gently and place it in the dolly. You can wipe off any dust gathered during the journey. Next, push the dolly to the designated place for the bed. But remember, you should not use something other than a dolly or hand truck to move the mattress up the stairs.
Helpful Tips for Transporting a Mattress
When moving a mattress, there are certain things that you should think about before packing up and heading off. One important thing to consider is how heavy the bed is. You will also need to ensure that you know what kind of vehicle you are driving to make sure it is capable of transporting your mattress.
Another aspect is whether you have the space for the mattress. Some people opt for a pickup truck, whereas others pack the mattress into the back of their car. Whichever way you go, you will want to ensure that you do so carefully and without any mishaps.
While transporting your mattress, you should do the following:
1. Make a checklist of supplies.
Some of the items you need to move your mattress are household items. But you may need to buy other things to ensure a hitch-free move. Such things as mattress bags may be something other than household items. Making a checklist of all the items you need and how you plan to use them would be best.
2. Run a simulation
It would be best to simulate your moving by driving around your neighbourhood with your mattress. If you intend to place it on your vehicle, strap it on for the test drive. Also, you should monitor the safe speed limit to ensure your mattress sits sturdily in the car. If you notice any signs of a mishap, you can easily adjust your plan.
3. Travel Slow
You should avoid driving on the highway while moving your mattress. The faster you go, the more likely your mattress will slip off your car top. Although this may make your journey longer, it is safer and more convenient. It is also less likely that your mattress will cause an accident on the road.
4. Check your mattress often.
Take intermittent breaks during your journey to check your mattress. You need to ensure it still sits sturdily on your car roof. Factors ranging from speed to wind can make your mattress shift and fall out of place. But as you check frequently, you will be aware. You can adjust the holds and push them back into place during your routine checks.
5. Get a Moving Company
A moving company can help you achieve peace of mind during your entire move and provide you with quality service at an affordable price. These removalists, also known as movers, offer a wide range of moving services. They take the hassle out of moving by helping you pack, clean, transport, and unload your belongings so that you can focus on enjoying your new life. They provide you with all the assistance you need to move your mattress and make the moving process as painless as possible.
To use a moving company, first find the right company to approach. Friends and family can suggest a good one. Then you get quotes to know how much it would cost.
6. Shipping
Shipping companies are an excellent option if you are moving a long distance, and it saves you the trouble of driving your mattress cross-country and the risk involved. Plus, shipping ensures your mattress arrives at the final destination quickly.
You can find a reliable shipping service like Sydney Moving. With a shipping service, you will not have to travel with your mattress. You tell them your preferences, and they get the work done. In addition, shipping allows you to insure your mattress during transport. In the case of damage, the insurance can cover some or all of the cost of repair or replacement.
Conclusion
While moving to a new place, many options may be open to you. One of them concerns your bed. Do you get a new mattress and sell the old one? You could move your bed instead, along with other furniture. Another option is moving the heavy mattress on your car or truck; this process is easy but tricky.
Our guide explains the basic steps to take when moving a bed. The guide includes the items you need to move your mattress and the best tips to apply in the process. Use this step-by-step guide to move your bed safely and efficiently.
Alternatively, you could save yourself the hassle and hire professional movers to do the job. It is much easier and cheap. It is best to find reliable moving services in your locality and ask to get them to transport the mattress for you.
