--- title: Items to Keep Off the Moving Truck: What to Carry Yourself url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - What movers will not move (hazardous items) # What to keep off the moving truck Keep hazardous materials, perishables and your irreplaceable items out of the moving truck, because federal law forbids shipping hazardous materials in household goods boxes without telling your mover. Sort these 3 groups first, before the packing starts, and carry or dispose of them yourself. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Every mover has a list of items that stay off the truck, and the reasons fall into three groups: safety, spoilage and sentiment. A can of paint thinner can leak and ruin a box of linens, a cooler of food spoils in a day, and a jewelry box is simply too precious to ride in a trailer. Sorting these before the crew arrives keeps the day calm. ## Group 1: hazardous items The FMCSA booklet says federal law forbids you to ship hazardous materials in your household goods boxes or luggage without informing your mover, and the liability rules say a mover need not assume liability for perishable, dangerous or hazardous articles included without its knowledge. Common household examples include: - Fuels and flammables: gasoline, propane cylinders, lighter fluid, kerosene, charcoal starter and matches. - Paints, stains, thinners, solvents, adhesives and varnish. - Pesticides, pool chemicals, bleach, ammonia and drain cleaners. - Aerosol cans and fire extinguishers. - Fireworks and ammunition. - Car batteries and loose lithium batteries. Drain fuel from lawn equipment and generators, and empty propane from grills, before moving day. If you are unsure about a product, ask your estimator to review it during the survey. ## Group 2: perishables and living things Frozen and refrigerated food, open containers of food and anything that will spoil or attract pests should be eaten, donated or carried in a cooler. Houseplants often travel poorly in a closed truck, and some states restrict plants and fresh produce at their borders, so check the destination state's agriculture department when moving between states. Pets and people ride with you, never in the truck. ## Group 3: irreplaceable and essential items - Jewelry, cash, checkbooks and credit cards. - Passports, birth certificates, titles, deeds, wills and tax records. - Prescriptions and daily medicines. - Laptops, phones, chargers and external drives. - Family photos and keepsakes you cannot replace. - Keys to the new home and a first-night box (see the [first-night box guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/)). Items worth more than 100 dollars per pound should be declared in writing if they do travel, as explained in the [valuation guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/valuation-released-vs-full-value/). ## How to dispose of what stays behind The EPA classes leftover products that can catch fire, react, explode, corrode or poison as household hazardous waste, and notes that many communities run collection programs. Contact your local solid waste or environmental agency for drop-off sites rather than pouring products down a drain or leaving them in the trash. Start early, since some programs hold collection events only at certain times of year. ## Special items that need planning, not exclusion Some heavy or delicate belongings can travel when the right crew prepares them. [Pianos](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/pianos/), [pool tables](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/pool-tables/), [hot tubs](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/hot-tubs/) and [appliances](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/appliances/) are moved with care and the right equipment. Mention each one at the survey so the estimate and the crew plan for it. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.203, shipper actions that limit liability](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [U.S. EPA, Household Hazardous Waste](https://www.epa.gov/hw/household-hazardous-waste-hhw) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) - [The 8-week moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-checklist/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Are moving expenses tax deductible? (IRS)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-expenses-and-taxes/) - [The 8-week moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-checklist/) - [Long-distance moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-distance-moving-checklist/) - [Office relocation checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/office-moving-checklist/) - [Senior moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/senior-moving-checklist/) - [The best time of year to move in Northern Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/best-time-to-move/) - [How far ahead to book movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-far-ahead-to-book-movers/) - [A moving timeline that works](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-timeline/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I leave clothes in the dresser? Often yes for lightweight clothing, but ask the crew before moving day because weight and drawer contents affect how a piece is carried. ### What about open bottles of cleaner? Treat them as hazardous. Use them up, give them away or dispose of them through a household hazardous waste program. ### Should I tell the estimator about hazardous items? Yes. If you intend to ship any, say so in advance, because the mover has to know. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070