How To Pack and Transport a Flat-Screen TV When Moving

You can take a lot of steps to ensure that the flatscreen TV makes it to your new home in one piece and still turns on when you hook it up to the cable there. Let’s explore packing tips for packing and transporting a flat-screen TV when moving in this blog post.

Quick Links: 

• If you’re just moving your TV and a few other things, consider movers who specialize in smaller moves and moving single items. 
• Want to hire professional movers to make sure your TV is unscathed? Check out our list of the best interstate movers. 
• Planning a DIY move? You might need a rental truck. We’ve vetted and ranked the top rental truck companies. 

Find the Original Box

If you can, find the original packaging that the TV came in when you purchased it. For the most part, people usually recycle the original box after it has been hooked up and tested. A box that size takes up a lot of space, even if you have a garage or a storage room in your house.

You likely kept the original TV box if you planned on moving not long after buying the TV. Otherwise, you will need to use one of the other packing methods outlined in this post.

Should you still have the original box and its packaging, you can place the TV in the protective packaging and then into the box before you move.

Make sure all ends of the box are sealed properly with packing tape, so they do not open during transport. Do not pack the cords or other accessories with the TV in the original box. Pack these items in a separate box and label them accordingly.

Before placing the TV in the box, be sure to remove the base, tv mount, and all screws from it. Place the screws in a resealable bag and label the bag. Tape the bag to the TV, so it does not get lost during the move. Pack the wall mount or TV stand in a separate box from the TV to not scratch the TV.

Pack Devices Separately from the TV

As you begin the packing process, be sure to unplug every cord from the TV and the power strip. Roll the cords and velcro them together. Make sure you place the correct cord with the corresponding device (DVD player, cable box, DVR, stereo, speakers, etc.). You should pack each of these electronic devices in separate boxes from the TV.

Wrap the TV in Protective Packaging

If it turns out that you do not have the original TV box, you will need to find protective packaging for the flat-screen TV, so it does not suffer any damage before, during, or after the move. The most important part of the TV that you must protect is the screen. You don’t want it to suffer scratches, dings, dents, or any other damage. If you don’t have the original box or moving blankets, it’s okay to use other packing supplies like packing paper, bubble wrap, or styrofoam sheets.

Use a Soft Blanket

You can always pack a television by wrapping it in a soft blanket. Moving blankets are your best option because they are soft and built to protect the most fragile items.

Wrap the TV in the blanket and secure the blanket using a bungee cord so that it does not fall off the TV when the moving truck is in motion. Avoid using a blanket that has buttons, zippers, or seams that could scratch the TV screen.

Find a Box Large Enough for the TV

It might be difficult to find a moving box large enough for the TV if it is a large flat-screen television. If you find a packing box that the TV fits in, be sure that the box has a little space all around the TV to wrap it in a blanket or protective plastic and then place it in the box.

Once you place TV in the box with the blanket around it, close the box and apply packing tape to all sides. Label the box with words like ‘caution,’ ‘fragile,’ ‘breakable,’ etc., so that the movers know to handle it with care.

Placing the TV in the Moving Truck

Preparing for a long-distance move takes a lot of time and planning. You can’t wake up the morning of, jump in your car and leave for your new home. The packing process takes weeks to complete, especially if you take your time and pack every single item with care.

Once it’s time to load the moving truck or your vehicle, you need to make sure that the TV is loaded correctly.

Consider the following when placing the TV into the moving truck:

• Place the TV between two heavy-duty, sturdy items (between a sofa and a mattress)
• Secure the TV against the wall of the moving truck
• Use bungee cords to secure the TV to the truck wall (one at the base and one at the top)
• Do not let the cords touch the TV screen
• When securing the TV against the wall of the truck, make sure the screen is not facing the wall but instead the interior of the truck.

Can the TV be Laid Flat?

There’s a myth that a plasma TV or flat-panel tv, cannot be laid flat because if it is, the plasma crystals will suffer damage. Sometimes this also applies to LCD TVs as well. This is not true. However, you should still avoid placing the TV flat on the floor.

Doing so can mess with the weight distribution of the TV and cause damage to the screen and other parts. The best way to transport the TV for a move is to stand upright and secured in the moving truck. This will protect the TV from possible damage during transport.

Moving a TV in your Car

You might wonder if you can move a TV in your car. If you’re moving a TV with your car, first, wrap the TV in whatever packing materials you have.

Next, make sure all of the power cords are taped down to the back of the TV to avoid getting them caught on anything in the car. Then, place the TV in the backseat, either upright on the ground behind the seat or lying down on the seat.

If placing the TV upright, put as much cushioning around the TV in the empty space between the TV and the seat.

Unpacking the TV at Your New Home

You must still be careful when unpacking the TV at your new home. You can’t simply rip it from the box after taking it out of the truck and install it.

Ensure the movers place it in an upright position when brought into your home so it is not damaged.

Try to take it out of the box as soon as possible so that everyone knows it’s the TV and nothing happens to it when you bring other boxes and furniture into the home.

Follow these TV unpacking tips when you arrive at your new home:

• Do not lift the TV out of the box by yourself. Ask others for help so that you can balance it properly.
• Do not place the box flat on the ground and slide the TV out of it.
• Do not plug the TV in until it reaches room temperature.
• Ensure that the wall mount is secured using studs.
• If using a TV stand, make sure that the stand is large enough to hold the TV without the base hanging off the sides.

Protecting your TV during a move is important. TVs are not cheap, and you need to handle them with extreme care at all times.

If you follow the packing and transport tips outlined in this post, you should have no issues with your TV during a local or cross-country move to a new home.