Which Moving Truck Size Is Perfect for Your Move?
Moving can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially if you don’t have the right moving truck size for your move to make your transition as smooth as possible. The key is to know exactly what size moving truck is best for your move so you can ensure that all of your belongings make it safely from point A to point B.
To help you decide which right moving truck size will work best for you, here is a breakdown of the various moving truck sizes available from different truck rental companies and their associated benefits and drawbacks. With this information, you can make an informed decision on which moving truck size is the best fit for your needs.
Continue reading for a complete breakdown of different moving truck sizes and the pros and cons associated with each one. Professional moving and cleanup businesses have all validated the accuracy of these tips and data.
Overview of a Moving Truck Rental Company
When moving, truck rental companies are an invaluable resource. A moving rental truck company can provide you with the right truck size vehicle to suit your moving needs and help make transporting all of your belongings simpler and less stressful. Most truck rental companies give customers the option to reserve a specific moving truck size in advance so they can be sure that their desired truck will be available when it’s time for their move.
Before selecting which moving truck rental company to use, consider what level of service is important for you. Some rental companies offer full-service moving packages with packing supplies such as bubble wrap to protect fragile items, insurance coverage, and roadside assistance options included, while others simply have the truck available for rent but no other services included. Make sure you research different rental truck companies.
Small Moving Trucks – Pros & Cons
Small moving trucks are designed to transport small loads and have smaller dimensions compared to the more common mid-size and full-size trucks. These smaller vehicles are great for smaller moves like a small studio apartment, a dorm room or a one bedroom apartment or one fully furnished room where you’re only transporting a few pieces of smaller boxes and smaller housewares such as TVs, microwaves, etc. Some smaller truck sizes even come equipped with ramps that make it easier to load heavy boxes into the truck.
One of the most commonly used small moving trucks is cargo vans. A cargo van is perfect for smaller moves and typically has a cargo area that measures around 150 cubic feet, enough to fit one room or several boxes of items. These cargo vans also offer excellent fuel economy and maneuverability, making them well-suited for tight spaces such as urban areas.
Pickup trucks are another popular option for smaller moves and usually have a cargo area between 200 and 500 cu ft., depending on the size of the pickup truck. A pickup truck can be great if you’re moving larger loads like furniture but still need something small enough to navigate narrow roads or park in limited space. They also come with additional features such as tow hitches which can be connected to moving trailers.
Pros
A small moving truck is great for local moves as they can easily fit into tight spaces and be maneuvered around city streets with ease. Plus, the smaller size makes it easier to load and unload your belongings since you’re dealing with a smaller area. In addition, a small moving truck typically costs less than a larger truck rental, making them a great option if you’re on a budget.
Another added benefit of renting a small moving truck is that they tend to have better gas mileage compared to larger truck sizes. This means that you’ll spend less at the pump and can save some money in the long run.
Cons
The main downside to renting a small moving truck is that you won’t be able to fit all of your belongings in one trip. This could mean multiple trips and spending more time loading and unloading furniture multiple times, which can be a hassle and add extra stress to your move. Additionally, the smaller size means that you won’t have as much storage space available for bulky pieces such as couches or other bulky furniture.
A smaller moving truck also comes with limited cubic feet capacity compared to a larger truck, meaning there’s less room for boxes and other packing materials needed for your move. If you’re planning on transporting multiple furniture pieces or large appliances, it may not fit in the small truck rental options.
Medium-Sized Moving Trucks – Pros & Cons
A medium-sized moving truck is perfect for those who need a little extra space compared to the smaller truck sizes. These vehicles typically measure 12 feet long by 6.5 feet wide, with many of them having an estimated cubic footage of over 400 cu ft.—perfect moving truck size for a larger two bedroom apartment or small apartment that has more furniture and appliances than the average one-bedroom.
A mid-size moving truck also comes equipped with features such as ramps for loading heavier items and side doors for easier access when packing/unpacking. They also offer more cubic space than smaller truck rentals, so you can fit more items into a single load without having to go back and forth.
If you’re making a medium sized move, box trucks and cargo vans are great options. A box truck typically ranges from 10 to 26 feet in length, containing up to 800 cu ft. of packing space. This is perfect for those who have 2-3 bedrooms of household items or large furniture that won’t fit into a smaller vehicle.
Cargo vans usually range between 8 to 16 feet in length and can carry up to 400 cubic feet of goods. These are ideal for studio apartment moves or if you only have a few pieces of furniture and boxes to transport. Additionally, these vehicles can be equipped with ramps or lift gates which make it easy to load bulky items without straining your back.
Pros
A medium-sized moving truck is great for larger moves because they provide more space than the smaller size models. This larger storage area allows you to transport large items such as couches or TVs, and also helps when packing larger loads and other materials needed for your move. Many medium-sized vehicles come with ramp options to make loading larger items easier, so you don’t have to worry about lifting heavy furniture into the truck.
In addition, these types of rentals usually offer better gas mileage compared to larger vehicle models which can help save on fuel costs in the long run. A medium-size truck also tends to be easier to maneuver than larger ones, so navigating tight streets or city areas is much simpler.
Cons
One downside to a medium-sized moving truck is that it is more expensive than the smaller truck rentals. In addition, these vehicles can be difficult to park in tight spaces or garages due to their size. You may also find that some items don’t fit in a single trip—especially if you’re packing very bulky furniture pieces such as a bed, a dresser or a box spring.
Lastly, while they do offer better miles per gallon compared to larger vehicle models, you still may find yourself spending more on gas if you’re making a long-distance move. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when deciding between different moving truck sizes that will best fit your needs.
Large Moving Trucks – Pros & Cons
A large moving truck is great for large-scale moves such as those involving multiple bedrooms or large households that need to transport large items like pianos or bulky pieces of furniture and appliances. These larger vehicles typically measure 17 feet long by 7 feet wide and have an estimated cubic footage of over 800 cu ft.—more than enough room for a variety of items.
These large truck rentals also come equipped with features such as ramps for loading heavier items and side doors for easier access when packing/unpacking. Plus, they offer more cubic space than smaller and medium truck sizes so you can fit all your belongings into one load without having to make multiple trips back and forth while saving you time and energy in the process.
Common large box truck sizes offered by many moving companies include a 16-foot box truck, 20-foot box truck and 24-foot box truck. 16-foot box trucks are approximately 8 feet high, 7 feet wide and can typically accommodate 1,500 cubic feet of household items. A 20-foot box truck offers 10 feet in height, 8 feet in width and a capacity of 2,000 cubic feet - ideal for large moves with multiple bedrooms such as townhomes and apartments.
Lastly, 24-foot box truck rentals provide 12 feet in height, 9 feet in width and up to 3,000 cubic feet of storage space - perfect for larger homes or long distance moves. These large moving trucks are perfect for a full scale house move.
Pros
A large moving truck provides the most storage space to fit your entire move in one trip, saving you time and energy. These vehicles often come equipped with a towing capacity to transport large loads such as cars or boats—a great feature if you’re planning on relocating to a new city with multiple cars in tow. Plus, large truck rentals offer more cubic feet of space than smaller box trucks and pickup trucks which allows for easier packing/unpacking since all your items can be stored together.
Additionally, they are built to handle heavier loads while providing better stability when driving down highways or on other winding roads. Lastly, they provide the highest towing capacity compared to smaller moving truck sizes.
Cons
The main downside to large moving trucks is their size—they are much harder to maneuver, especially in tight spaces such as alleys or small garages. In addition, they tend to be more expensive than the smaller and mid-size truck rentals. Because of their size, you may also find that these vehicles can only fit a certain number of items per load—meaning if your belongings don’t entirely fit into one trip, you will have to make additional trips back and forth which can add up on time and fuel costs.
Lastly, parking spots for large moving trucks may be hard to come by depending on where you’re relocating due to their larger size. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when deciding which type of rental truck is best for you.
Tips for Choosing the Right Size Truck for Your Move
When choosing the right size truck for your move, it is important to consider both interior space and storage. Determine how much space you need by calculating the cubic feet of all your belongings combined together. This will help you determine if a smaller or larger rental truck is best suited for your needs. Additionally, how many boxes do you need to move or how many rooms does your new house have? Also, evaluate the miles per gallon associated with each type of rental truck to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to fuel costs.
Another factor that should be taken into consideration is ease of maneuverability. If you are making a local move, opt for a smaller moving truck as they tend to be easier to navigate tight spaces such as city streets and small alleys.
Making an Informed Decision About Your Move
When it comes to making an informed decision about your move, it is important to consider all aspects of the move—from truck size and truck availability to companies that offer a full-service move and have strong company reviews. Take time to do research on the different rental companies available in your area as well as any full-service moving companies you may be considering. Read through customer reviews and ratings to help you compare company services and prices.
Additionally, take into account the cost associated with renting a truck, mileage charges, fuel costs, taxes, and insurance requirements when budgeting for your move. Make sure you understand all terms associated with the rental agreement before signing so there are no surprises down the road. Knowing all this information upfront will ensure that your move goes smoothly.