I. Introduction
Have you ever been in the middle of a move, loading up your carefully packed boxes and furniture, only to realize with a sinking feeling that the truck you rented is just too small? Or perhaps you’ve gone the opposite direction, renting a massive truck that feels mostly empty and wastes money? Choosing the right size moving truck is crucial for a smooth and efficient move. The wrong choice can lead to extra trips, damaged belongings, and a lot of unnecessary stress. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to help you determine the perfect moving truck size, ensuring a hassle-free moving experience.
II. Understanding Your Moving Needs
Before you even think about truck sizes, you need to assess what you’re moving. This involves estimating the total volume of your belongings and considering any special factors that might impact the size of the truck you need.
Estimating Your Belongings
- Cubic footage explained: Cubic footage is a measure of volume, and it’s the key to figuring out how much space your belongings will take up in a moving truck. To calculate cubic footage, you need to multiply the length, width, and height of an object.
- The Rule of Thumb: A general guideline is to estimate about 150 to 300 cubic feet per room. However, this is a rough estimate. Some rooms might have more or larger furniture than others, so it is important to assess your specific situation.
- How to measure: To get a more accurate idea of the cubic footage of your belongings, measure the length, width, and height of your larger items. Multiply these three measurements to get the cubic footage of the item. Add up the cubic footage of all your larger items to get a better estimate.
- Use online calculators: Many online moving calculators can help you estimate your cubic footage needs more precisely. These tools often allow you to select items from a list, providing a more accurate estimate of your truck size needs.
- Inventory List: Walk through each room and create an inventory list. Be sure to include furniture, appliances, and other large items that won’t fit in boxes. This will help you visualize the total amount of items you have and prevent underestimating the necessary truck size.
Considering Special Factors
- Bulky items: Large items like couches, appliances, oversized artwork, or a piano can take up a significant amount of space and may require a larger truck than you initially think.
- Packing materials: Don’t forget to factor in the space needed for boxes and packing materials, which can take up more space than you anticipate.
- Distance of the move: If you are moving long distance, it is a good idea to consider a slightly larger truck to allow for more efficient packing and avoid multiple trips.
- Towing a vehicle: If you need to tow a car behind your moving truck, you must rent a 16-foot or 26-foot truck. Smaller trucks do not have the capacity for towing.
- King-size bed: King-size beds and mattresses will only fit in 16-foot trucks and 26-foot trucks.
III. Exploring Moving Truck Options
There’s a variety of moving trucks to choose from, each with its own advantages. Understanding the options will help you pick the one that is best suited for your particular move.
Types of Moving Trucks
- Pick-up trucks: Pick-up trucks are good for small, local moves with just a few items, such as a dorm move or a few pieces of furniture. They are not ideal for large or long-distance moves.
- Cargo vans: Cargo vans are suitable for studio apartments, college dorms, or very small one-bedroom moves. They may hold more than you think, but they are still limited in capacity, so they are not good for larger moves.
- Box trucks: Box trucks are the most common type of moving truck, and they are the best option for most moves, especially long-distance moves. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different household sizes.
Box Truck Sizes
- Small box trucks (10-12 ft.):
- These trucks are typically around 9 ft 11 in. to 12 ft. long, 6 ft. 3 in. to 6 ft. 6 in. wide and about 6 ft. tall, and have a capacity of around 380 to 450 cubic feet.
- They are suitable for studio apartments or very small one-bedroom apartments.
- They can fit queen, full, and twin mattresses, but they may not fit king-size mattresses.
- Medium box trucks (15-17 ft.):
- These trucks usually range from 15 to 17 feet in length, 6 ft. 3 in. to 7 ft. 8 in wide, and 6 ft. 6 in. to 7 ft. 2 in. tall, with a capacity of about 650 to 865 cubic feet.
- They are suitable for most one-bedroom apartments, smaller two-bedroom apartments, condos, and small homes.
- King-size mattresses will fit in these trucks.
- Some medium-sized trucks also come with a “Mom’s Attic,” a small storage compartment above the truck cab, which is perfect for fragile items.
- Large box trucks (20-26 ft.):
- Large trucks range from 19 ft 6 in. to 26 ft. 2 in. long, 7 ft. 8 in. to 8 ft. 1 in. wide, and 7 ft. 1 in. to 8 ft. 3 in. tall, and have a capacity of about 1,000 to 1,800 cubic feet.
- They are best for two- to three-bedroom homes, large apartments, and three- to five-bedroom homes.
- California king mattresses fit in these trucks.
- Like medium-sized trucks, some large trucks also come with a “Mom’s Attic”.
- Small box trucks (10-12 ft.):
Other Options:
- Trailers: Trailers can be added to your rental for additional space when needed. This may be a good option if you need a little bit more room than what a smaller truck provides.
IV. How to Pick the Right Truck Size
Now that you understand the options available and have estimated your belongings, here’s how to pick the right size truck for your move:
- Step-by-Step Guide
- Calculate total cubic footage: Use measurements and estimates to determine the total cubic footage of all your belongings.
- Compare to truck sizes: Check the cubic footage capacity of different-sized moving trucks offered by rental companies. Find a truck that matches the cubic footage of your belongings, or is slightly larger.
- Account for bulky items and packing materials: Remember to add extra space to your estimate for any bulky or oddly shaped items, as well as for packing materials.
- Err on the side of caution: If you’re unsure about which size truck to choose, it is generally a good idea to choose a slightly larger size. It’s better to have a little extra room than to find yourself with items that don’t fit.
- Using Online Tools
- Moving Calculators: Use online moving calculators to help determine your cubic footage needs. These tools are available on many moving company websites.
- Truck Size Wizards: Use tools like Penske’s Truck Wizard to get a customized truck recommendation. These wizards typically ask for the number and type of items you are moving to provide the best truck size for your needs.
- Interactive tools or quizzes: Many websites offer interactive tools or quizzes that can assist you in determining the best size of truck for your move.
V. Loading the Truck Like a Pro
Choosing the right truck is only half the battle. Proper loading is also very important to ensure that all your items fit safely and that the truck is balanced for the drive.
- General Loading Tips
- Load heavy items first: Start by loading the largest and heaviest items first. This will keep the truck balanced and prevent these items from crushing smaller items.
- Break down furniture: Take apart furniture like bed frames, tables, and chairs as much as possible to save space.
- Use quality packing materials: Use high-quality packing materials, like new boxes and plastic bins to secure all your items so that they don’t shift during the move.
- Use all vertical space: Make use of all available vertical space, packing items tightly to avoid shifting.
- Distribute weight evenly: Load items in a balanced and logical way, working from the front to the back of the truck bed.
- Specific Item Loading
- Mattresses: Load mattresses upright against the walls of the truck to maximize space and prevent damage.
- Appliances: Load large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers first, placing them securely against the front wall of the truck.
- Oddly shaped furniture: Couches, dressers, and other oddly shaped furniture can be loaded in a variety of ways, depending on the size of the truck. Plan your loading carefully and use furniture pads when possible.
VI. Cost Considerations and Rental Options
The cost of renting a moving truck can vary significantly depending on several factors. It’s important to understand these factors and explore your rental options to get the best deal.
- Rental Truck Costs
- Local vs. long-distance: Local moves are usually charged by the day plus a per-mile fee, while long-distance moves are typically charged a flat rate based on the distance and the size of the truck.
- Factors influencing costs: Truck size, the distance you’re moving, the location, and the time of the year are all factors that will affect how much a moving truck will cost.
- Average cost ranges: The cost of a small truck for a local move starts at around $20-$30 per day and can be up to $4,000 or more to rent a large truck for a long-distance move.
- Cost-saving tips:
- Compare quotes from different rental companies to find the best price.
- Consider multiple trips with a smaller truck for local moves, but be sure to calculate mileage carefully to see if this is a cost-effective option.
- Look for special deals and discounts from rental companies, which sometimes offer discounts for longer rentals.
- Rental Companies
- Overview of major companies: Major rental truck companies include U-Haul, Penske, Budget, Enterprise, and Home Depot.
- Company Comparisons:
- U-Haul has the most availability and offers a wide range of truck sizes.
- Penske offers a Truck Wizard tool to help you choose the right size.
- Budget is known for having the best local prices.
- Enterprise offers the most truck sizes and options.
- Home Depot is a good option for quick, local moves.
- Morningstar Storage also offers free truck rentals when you rent a storage unit on the day of move in.
- Add-ons and insurance: Most rental companies offer add-ons like furniture pads and dollies for an extra cost. They also usually offer some sort of insurance that covers your belongings and/or the truck in case of damage.
VII. Alternative Moving Solutions
If renting a moving truck doesn’t seem like the right choice for you, there are other moving options you may want to consider:
- Moving Containers: Moving containers, such as those offered by PODS, can be a good alternative to truck rentals. With containers, you can pack at your own pace, and then have the container shipped to your new location.
- Full-Service Movers: Full-service movers can pack, load, drive, and unload everything for you. This option is the most convenient, but it is also the most expensive.
- Hybrid Solutions: You can also combine moving solutions. For example, you might use a moving container for items you don’t need right away and then rent a truck for items you need immediately.
- Example Cost Comparisons: For a local move, a moving truck rental could cost from $42 to $106 plus fuel, while full-service movers might cost $649 to $2,254. PODS could cost $435 to $749 including transport and one-month storage. For a long-distance move, a truck rental could cost $823 to $1,575 plus fuel, while full-service movers might cost $2,350 to $5,557. PODS could cost $3,031 to $4,926, including transport and one-month storage.
VIII. Safety and Comfort
Before you commit to driving a large truck, be sure to consider your comfort and safety.
- Driving considerations: Unless you have experience driving large trucks, you may want to consider a smaller truck or another moving option. Driving a large truck can be stressful and challenging, especially in heavy traffic or on long trips.
- Safety Tips: Take the time to read up on safe driving practices for moving trucks. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully, and avoid distractions.
- Reducing stress: Moving can be stressful, so it’s important to take breaks and focus on self-care. Pace yourself, stay organized, and ask for help when needed.
IX. Conclusion
Choosing the right moving truck size is a critical step in a successful move. By carefully assessing your belongings, considering all of your options, and understanding your personal needs, you can choose a truck that will make your move easier and more affordable. Use the tips and tools outlined in this guide to choose the right size truck for your move. Good luck with your move!