Moving is exhausting — not just physically. The constant sense of chaos and the worry over every fragile item can turn the whole experience into a real test of your nerves. You try to keep everything under control, but when you see just how much needs to be transported, one question becomes hard to avoid: how do you get it all there safely, in a single trip?
Renting a trailer takes care of the first big challenge — space and the number of trips. But it’s just a platform, and it doesn’t guarantee that when you drop the tailgate at the end of the drive, your furniture will look exactly the way it did when you loaded it.
At Hetman Rental, we’ve learned that what our customers really need isn’t just a vehicle — it’s a way to take the stress out of moving altogether. That’s why we go beyond
enclosed trailer rentals. We give you a complete toolkit for a smooth move — from trailer cargo control to practical advice on how to keep everything organized. Our goal is simple: to make your move feel like a well-planned project, where you know exactly what’s happening every step of the way.
The Foundations of Cargo Control (Straps & Nets)
Solid cargo securing is what keeps your mind at ease on the road. Here are the two essential tools that will make any trip safer:
- Ratchet straps are your primary security for heavy items. Forget bungee cords — one good pothole on a Calgary road is all it takes for an elastic cord to go slack, and your grandmother’s dresser to start shifting around the trailer. Tighten the ratchet evenly: the load should be rock solid, but not under so much pressure it’s at risk of damage. The test is simple — try pushing the secured item; if it moves less than a couple of millimetres, you’ve done it right.
- Cargo nets are ideal for odds and ends or anything with an awkward shape. Pillows, bags, disassembled furniture parts — a net simply drapes over the chaos and holds it all down to the floor. It’s flexible, clips on quickly, and saves you from that dreaded moment when something tumbles out the second you open the tailgate.
If you’re moving furniture with a delicate finish, place a layer of cardboard or fabric under the straps. This protects wood or upholstery from the dents a tightly cinched strap can leave behind.
Protection for Your Valuables (Moving Blankets)
It’s tempting to think an old bed sheet will do the job, but professional moving blankets are in a completely different league. They’re thick and dense, so they genuinely work as soft armour when Calgary’s roads get rough.
How to pack everything properly:
- Cover the corners — these are the most vulnerable spots and the first to get scuffed. Wrap furniture completely, and if the piece is large, use several blankets overlapped.
- Secure the layers — to keep blankets from sliding during transit, wrap them with stretch wrap or tape. The key is to stick the tape to the blanket itself, not to the furniture, so you’re not peeling adhesive off the finish later.
- Don’t forget the floor — metal or wood trailer beds can be quite unforgiving. Just lay one blanket on the bottom under the heavy items; it absorbs vibration and protects furniture legs from wear.
Even if you’re driving slowly and not going far, it’s still worth wrapping valuables in blankets — one sudden stop is all it takes, and that soft layer of protection could save everything.
Easy Loading & Unloading (Ramps & Dollies)
The hardest part of a move isn’t the drive itself — it’s loading the heavy stuff into the trailer. When you’re staring down a 100-kilogram washing machine or a full-size refrigerator, trying to muscle it in by hand is a questionable idea. It’s not only a risk to your back; there’s a real chance of dropping the appliance halfway up.
- Trailer ramps bridge that 50–80-centimetre gap between the ground and the trailer bed, turning a steep lift into a smooth roll. The non-slip surface lets you roll up even a heavy motorcycle or a lawn mower with full control.
- Heavy-duty dollies take the strain off your back and arms: instead of lifting a heavy appliance, you ease it onto the wheels, secure it with a strap, and roll it forward. Even loading a fridge becomes a matter of balance and technique — not brute strength.
The ramp handles the height difference, the dolly handles the weight — all you do is steer. With the right equipment, even the heaviest appliances stop being a “mission impossible” and become a manageable task for two people — and sometimes even one.
Hitch & Connection Accessories
Once the trailer is loaded, there’s one final step — making sure it behaves on the road. Here are the best towing accessories that make towing significantly smoother:
- Weight distribution hitch — a lifesaver for heavy loads. This type of hitch prevents the tow vehicle from squatting, distributing the weight across both axles. The result is a vehicle that doesn’t wallow, holds the road with more confidence, and stops more effectively.
- Hitch locks give you peace of mind whenever you stop for a coffee somewhere in Calgary. The lock prevents anyone from disconnecting the trailer from your vehicle, so your belongings will be right where you left them.
- 4 to 7-pin adapters instantly solve the problem of mismatched connectors. Vehicles and trailers can have different sockets, and one of these adapters resolves the compatibility issue in seconds.
Always do a quick test loop around the block after getting everything set up. Stop, check the strap tension and the connector. If everything holds — you’re ready to hit the road.
The “Save-the-Day” Kit (Spare Tires & Tools)
Getting stranded on the highway with a trailer full of your belongings is nobody’s idea of a good time. A spare tyre, a proper lug wrench, and a jack properly rated for your trailer’s weight can get the situation under control quickly and get you back on the road. A standard car jack often can’t handle the load or doesn’t fit the clearance, so having the right tool — along with a pair of gloves and a flashlight — can make a real difference. With a proper kit, a tyre change takes about twenty minutes, and you’re calmly on your way again.
At Hetman Rental, we thoroughly inspect every trailer before it goes out — tyres, brakes, and electrical — but the road always has its surprises, and even a minimal toolkit in the back gives you that extra sense of confidence.
Organizational Tools
To find small items quickly, consider swapping regular cardboard boxes for clear plastic bins. They’re perfect for screws, tools, and any small hardware — the lid snaps shut securely, and you can see at a glance where the screwdrivers are, where the remotes ended up, and where you packed the cutlery for your first dinner at the new place. For extra reliability, group small furniture hardware into labelled bags and bundle cables with zip ties — it’ll save you from a tangle later. This kind of organisation doesn’t just protect things from getting knocked around inside the trailer; instead of digging through unlabelled boxes, you simply carry labelled containers straight to the right rooms.
A Move Without the Drama: It’s All in the Details
Having the right equipment makes a move far less daunting. When the cargo is secured with proper straps, the furniture is wrapped in blankets, and your back is protected by ramps and dollies — you’re in control. Instead of fighting chaos with whatever you can find around the house, invest in gear that actually works. It’s one of those cases where one smart decision protects both your energy and your belongings.
Planning a move in Calgary? Get in touch to rent a trailer along with popular equipment and accessories for a stress-free experience.
Book your rental today and start your next chapter on the right foot!
