How to Safely Transport Furniture in Your Hiace Van Rental

Transporting furniture can be one of the most challenging aspects of moving or collecting new items for your Perth home. The right techniques can help prevent damage to both your cherished furniture and your rental van. At BILD Rentals, we've compiled this comprehensive guide to help you move furniture safely and efficiently in one of our Toyota Hiace vans.

Prepare Your Furniture Before Loading

Before you even approach the van, proper furniture preparation is essential:

Disassemble When Possible

Take apart any furniture that can be disassembled. This includes:

• Bed frames
• Table legs
• Shelving units
• Office chairs

Not only does this make items easier to handle, but it also maximises the available space in your Toyota Hiace.

Protect All Surfaces

Every piece of furniture should be properly wrapped:

• Use moving blankets for wooden or delicate surfaces
• Wrap upholstered items in plastic wrap to prevent stains
• Place corner protectors on sharp edges of tables and desks
• Use mattress bags for beds and cushion covers for sofas

Secure Drawers and Doors

For items with moving parts:

• Remove drawers entirely if possible and transport separately
• If drawers cannot be removed, secure them with tape or plastic wrap
• Secure cabinet doors with tape or moving straps
• Remove hardware like knobs and handles that might catch or break

Loading Techniques for the Toyota Hiace

The Toyota Hiace provides excellent cargo capacity, but proper loading is crucial:

Create a Base Layer

Start with a solid foundation:

• Place a moving blanket or cardboard on the van floor for additional protection
• Position your largest, heaviest items first (wardrobes, sofas, mattresses)
• Place heavy items against the back wall (cabin partition) for weight distribution
• Ensure these items are standing upright when possible rather than laying flat

Use the Middle Space Efficiently

Once your base items are in place:

• Place medium-sized items like chairs, small tables, and boxed items in the middle area
• Fill gaps between furniture with soft items like bags of clothing or linens
• Create a tight fit to prevent shifting during transport across Perth's sometimes uneven roads

Top Layer Considerations

The final items should be:

• Lightweight and less fragile
• Placed carefully on top without risk of falling
• Secured with straps or bungee cords to prevent movement

Securing Your Load in the Hiace

The Toyota Hiace comes with multiple tie-down points specifically designed for cargo security:

Use Proper Tie-Down Techniques

• Use ratchet straps for larger items
• Create an "X" pattern with straps to prevent side-to-side movement
• Ensure straps are tight but not overly tightened on delicate furniture
• Check tension after driving a short distance and adjust if needed

Create Zones in the Van

For multiple furniture items:

• Create separate secured zones for different types of furniture
• Use moving blankets between items to prevent scratching
• Fill empty spaces with bubble wrap or packing paper

Driving Considerations

Even with perfectly secured furniture, how you drive matters:

Adjust Your Driving Style

• Take turns slowly and gently
• Avoid sudden stops or starts
• Be especially careful over speed bumps or dips in Perth roads
• Allow extra stopping distance, particularly when fully loaded

Plan Your Route

• Avoid roads with significant construction if possible
• Consider Perth's hillier suburbs (like Kalamunda or Darlington) when planning your route
• For long-distance moves within WA, take regular breaks to check your load

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' experiences:

Don't Overload

• The Toyota Hiace has a maximum payload capacity - respect it
• An overloaded van is harder to control and potentially dangerous
• Better to make two trips than risk damage or accidents

Don't Rush the Process

• Allow plenty of time for careful loading
• Rushing leads to poor securing techniques and potential damage
• Start earlier in the day to avoid time pressure

Don't Forget Proper Equipment

• Bring more blankets and padding than you think you'll need
• Have multiple types of straps and securing devices
• Include a basic tool kit for any emergency disassembly needs

Conclusion

With proper preparation, careful loading, and appropriate driving techniques, your furniture can arrive at its destination in perfect condition. Our Toyota Hiace vans at BILD Rentals provide the perfect balance of capacity, manoeuvrability, and features to make your Perth furniture transport successful.

Whether you're moving to a new home, picking up a marketplace purchase, or collecting items from a Perth furniture store, these techniques will help protect both your furniture and our rental vans.

Need further advice about transporting specific furniture items? Contact our team at 0413 922 287 for personalised recommendations.

This guide was prepared by the BILD Rentals team based on years of experience helping Perth residents transport furniture safely.