Moving house with a trailer: plan the load before the day

Start with the things that won’t fit in the car

A trailer can be useful for a move when you already have a suitable towing vehicle and people to help load it. Before you book, make a short inventory of the items that need the extra space. A pile of boxes, a wardrobe and a sofa present three different loading problems.

Write down the largest item’s length, width and height, including any parts that cannot be removed. Check the weight where possible. Send those measurements with your enquiry so the actual trailer’s load space, access opening and permitted weight can be checked.

Make the awkward item the first decision

A sofa may fit inside a trailer but be difficult to turn through the opening. A wardrobe might travel more easily dismantled, provided it can be taken apart without damage. Do not work only from an advertised trailer length: ask about the usable floor shape and the clear opening.

Allow space for padding and securing the load. Packing every centimetre is not a good plan if it stops you reaching a fixing point or means fragile pieces take the weight of heavier items.

Plan the day around access

Look at both properties before choosing collection times. Consider where the towing vehicle and trailer can stop, whether a driveway is wide enough and whether you will need to reverse. Tell your helpers which items need two people and have dismantling tools ready before the trailer arrives.

For a move in Preston or between nearby towns, several short journeys may look easy on paper. Remember each trip also includes loading, securing, unloading and getting back through traffic. Build a realistic return time around the whole job.

Prepare the protection and securing equipment

List what you need for your particular belongings: suitable restraints, protective blankets, corner protection and covered containers for small loose parts. Ask what is supplied with the hire and arrange anything else in advance. Do not assume an enclosed trailer means items can travel unsecured.

Keep screws and fittings in labelled bags with the item they belong to. Put essentials such as keys, medication, chargers and a small tool kit in the car so you can reach them without unloading the trailer.

Check the vehicle as well as the trailer

The weight of the loaded trailer must be suitable for the towing vehicle, and the combined loaded vehicle and trailer must stay within the vehicle’s gross train weight. Check the handbook and official guidance; having a towbar does not settle the question.

Before each journey, use the DVSA checks for connections, tyres, lights and load security. If you are unfamiliar with towing or reversing, arrange appropriate training and do not treat moving day as a first experiment.

Your house-move enquiry checklist

• Collection and return dates, with realistic times.
• The largest item’s dimensions and estimated total load weight.
• Your vehicle make and model.
• Access details at both properties.
• Any equipment you need us to confirm.

Ready to plan it? Send your house-move enquiry and we’ll confirm whether the Debon 500 suits the job.