Box Basics

A box is a box . . . right? Well, not exactly. Those of us who work with boxes every day know that the quality of a box determines whether a shipment will arrive at its destination safely or not. It is simply not worth it to use an inferior box and risk possible damage to a customer’s belongings during shipping or storage.

Corrugated boxes are manufactured in single, double, and triple “walls” (see above picture). Most items can be packed in a single-wall box, but if an item is very heavy or bulky, a heavier duty box is recommended. Tri-wall boxes are very large boxes generally used for transporting oversized, heavy items or a collection of boxes/suitcases/duffle bags.

Packing fragile items brings on a new set of requirements. For example, if you were packing a crystal bowl or several dishes in a box, you could use a single-wall box with plenty of bubble wrap around each dish. But, if you were packing an entire set of dishes/china in one box, you would definitely want to use a double-wall carton (such as a “dishpack” or “china barrel”), and of course, plenty of bubble wrap.

Be aware that if you are shipping an item in its product box (for example, a kitchen blender or a set of pans), the product box is not a suitable shipping box, even if you repack the item in the same packaging it came in.  For shipping, it should be repacked with bubble wrap and fitted into a slightly larger box meant for shipping. Those product boxes are very thin and have no protection again the rigors of truck transport and conveyor belts.  

For an excellent description of all the different standard moving boxes, click here.

Remember that shipping rates are determined by the weight and dimensions of a carton. The larger the carton, in general, the higher the cost to ship, even if it only weighs a few pounds. 

To see our previous post on portable self storage, click here.

The Art of Lifting

In the transportation industry, we lift objects all day long. Obviously we lift a lot of boxes – small and large boxes, oversized boxes, heavy and light boxes. We lift furniture, appliances, household items of every shape and size, heavy and light items. We lift office equipment, machines, chairs, desks, filing cabinets. We lift sculptures, oversized artworks, crated objects – you name it! 

We move all of these items up stairs and down stairs. We move them down long passageways, through tight doorways, up ramps and down ramps, out of basements and into basements. 

There is a lot of bending and lifting that goes into moving these varied objects, but one constant remains the same – how we protect our bodies when we lift ANYTHING.

Lifting 101

• You have heard this a million times, but it is the holy grail of lifting – do not lift from your back, lift from your legs. Be sure your footing is solid, and keep the object as close to your body as possible.
• Every time you lift, be aware of what you’re about to do. Don’t lift without thinking, because it’s those sudden lifting movements that cause most injuries.
• Test the weight of the object before lifting it so you are prepared for a heavy or light load.
• Lifting a large or heavy piece with someone else takes the load off both of your backs.
• Keep your eyes open for anything sharp that may cut you – nails, splinters, sharp edges.
• Pull your stomach in while lifting to protect your lower back.
• If you need to turn while you’re lifting, move your feet instead of twisting your back/waist.