These days, TVs are lighter and thinner than ever before. But does that make it easier to transport them? Absolutely not. In fact, modern televisions are extremely delicate, and if you don’t consider the fragility of your television, you may end up paying a high price for repair or replacement.
The labor-intensive process of moving is never for the faint of heart. But slow and steady wins the race. Packing a TV in between some couch cushions or squeezing it into a small gap in your car is never the answer. You must be calculated and smart. Read ahead to learn exactly how to pack a TV for moving.
Preparation for the move
Cords, cables, disassembly
- Unplug the power cord, HDMI, AUX, cable, and all the others that you see connected to your television. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to do this and leave something plugged in. What follows is a stretched/broken wire or worse— an internal issue with your TV. Pack them away in a specific bag or case so your first night in your new home isn’t a "hunt for the HDMI cord."
- Remove any base or mount from the television. Again, if overlooked, this could cause mild to severe damage to your TV. For this, you may need some tools. Depending on what type of base or mount you have, this could include anything from a simple screwdriver to a socket set or power drill. Once removed, place all of the screws into a baggie to save yourself the hassle of another search.
- Before any next steps, place the television flat on your carpet or a blanket (preferably a furniture blanket). The screen side should be faced down towards the floor or blanket. This may sound risky, but it’s the safest place for your TV when not connected to any base or mount. Leaning against a wall or mantle is far more dangerous.
The box
Purchasing, wrapping, inserting
- As televisions have become such pricey items, it’s become an unsaid requirement to keep your TV box. For those of you who kept it, bravo. It will be a much easier process. The box will more than likely come with instructions about how to store it back inside. At the very least, it will have all the proper compartments for you to slide it right in and seal it.
- However, for most of us who didn’t want this box taking up space in our garage or attic, we don’t blame you. That said, purchasing a new box is essential to know how to pack a TV for moving. You can find several high-quality, heavy-duty TV moving boxes at your nearest hardware store. They can range from $20 all the way up to 120 dollars.
- Each box will come with its own set of foam corners to protect each corner of your TV. If your box comes with a TV cover, or if you purchased it separately, this will be your first step. Slip the cover over the TV. If you don’t have a cover, use mover’s wrap and wrap it around the television. The TV should remain on the floor and the screen side down. A second person would be helpful, as each of you can lift and wrap up the TV.
- It’s a common misconception that you should wrap the TV with the four foam corners already attached, but this does not work as well. If the foam corners are also wrapped, it will be hard to slide the TV into the box. Instead, after you wrap it, place the foam corners onto your TV’s four corners. No matter the size of your television, they should secure tightly to each corner due to the wrap and/or cover you placed below it.
- You can now stand it up and slide it into the box with the corners attached. Most TV boxes are technically two separate boxes that require the TV to be inserted into a smaller/slimmer box before being slid into the bigger box. Whatever the box’s design, it’s important to slide the TV into the box, not drop it in. Even though it’s now protected, it’s not indestructible.
- For added comfort, it’s safe to wrap the TV in a thin furniture blanket. That being said, another common mistake is the additional padding within the boxes' empty spaces. Many feel the need to add socks, towels, or small blankets to "fill in the gap" within the box. But this is an incorrect way to pack a TV for moving. If it’s a bumpy ride in the truck or car, these loose items could bunch up into a particular spot and possibly harm your TV.
*If you are unable to purchase the proper box for your television, you can still purchase foam corners separately at your local hardware store. Wrap first, then place the corners on. After this, it’s best to wrap the entire TV in furniture blankets.
The transport
Tape and store
- Before you place your television into your truck or car, you’ll need to tape it up. Moving tape is not the most fun, regardless of quality or price. It’s best to have a pair of scissors handy to make tearing the tape along the plastic roller less rigorous or confusing.
- Tape around the box once or twice towards the top, and then again at the bottom. Over-taping can be a potential danger. The taping only secures the two boxes as one, nothing more. Taping it too tight is risky for your TV. Know that the box is enough to protect it. Don’t force anything more.
- If transporting in a moving truck or truck bed, it’s best to stand the TV box up. Against the wall of a truck or in between mattresses/cushions is a safe bet. Furniture blankets can be your best friend in this scenario. If moving in a car, the backseat can be great as long as there are blankets or cushions for further help. It’s also OK to lay the TV down flat in its box. As long as it’s securely flat and nothing within reach could fall onto it, you’re good to go.
- If you’re storing this TV away in a storage unit, the box is of the utmost importance. If packed, secured, and taped properly, your TV will be just fine for an unlimited amount of time.
There you have it. You now know how to pack a TV for moving among all the philosophies and styles. If followed correctly, it’s almost guaranteed to be a foolproof system!