What Size Moving Truck Should You Get?

The common question for those who are planning their move is “What size truck do I need?” to answer that question you should understand the approximate amount of items you plan to move. The professional moving company will figure out what size moving truck is required based on the inventory you need to provide them. But when you do it yourself, it’s on you to make this important decision. It is not easy to predict how much space it is required to fit all of your boxes,  furniture, and other belongings. Guessing wrong can mean not having all the space you need or wasting money on a truck that’s too big. Just like professional movers would ask you to start with an inventory, to figure out what size moving truck you’ll need. You better start with the inventory of the belongings.

Let’s go through the factors to consider including:

1. How many rooms your house has.
2. List each bulky item. This includes couches, tables, dressers, bookshelves, televisions, nightstands, bed frames and mattresses. Sort by the size and type of furniture you’re going to be moving.
3. How many boxes you’ll have.

You’re probably not going to be able to deduce exactly how many cubic feet of truck space you’re going to need based on your inventory. But if you can, try to measure miscellaneous items by cubic foot too. Without this exact information, it is still invaluable when it comes to working with the truck rental company to determine what size truck you’ll need. If they think you’ll be in-between sizes, go for the larger truck. It’s better and much less stressful for you to work with extra space than with not enough space.

Moving truck sizes

Here’s a short review of standard rental truck offerings. Most truck rental companies offer customers the following types of trucks:

Pick-up trucks

If you only have a couple of things to move, then you could get away with simply renting a pick-up truck. They’re ideal for those who only have a small studio to move. It will have a volume of space around 70 cubic feet and a maximum weight load of less than 2,000 pounds.

Cargo Van

It’s recommended as one of the most fuel-efficient options for those who are moving a limited amount of belongings, especially if they’re moving locally. For the studio apartment mover with a full-size or queen-sized bed, a cargo van is enough. Expect a volume of space around 230 cubic feet and a maximum weight load of less than 4,000 pounds.

Small moving trucks

If you’re moving nearby and are worried about driving a larger truck, you could also consider renting a small truck and doing multiple trips. A small moving truck is about 10 to 12 feet in length and works well for small one-bedroom apartments, as well as for those moving in or out of dorms. Expect a volume of space around 370 to 450 cubic feet and a max weight load of around 3,000 to 3,500 pounds.

Medium moving trucks

At 14 to 17 feet in length, moving trucks in the medium-sized range are a good fit for those moving out of one or two-bedroom apartments or small homes. They’re one of the most popular choices for DIY moves, and capable of handling both short and long-distance moving. Expect a volume of space around 650 to 850 cubic feet and a maximum weight load of around 3,000 to 6,000 pounds.

Large moving trucks

The largest moving trucks for consumer moves are generally about 22 to 26 feet in length. They fit well when you’re moving out of a three-bedroom house or larger, or if you have a two-bedroom house with a lot of belongings. Expect a volume of space around 1,000 to 1,600 cubic feet and a max weight load of around 5,000 to 7,000 pounds.

When you inquire about what size moving truck you should get, ask about specifics around max weight loads and available cubic feet of space. Keep in mind that truck sizes and capacities vary from different rental companies.

What should you not put on a moving truck?

We always recommend not put any irreplaceable items like photo albums and other documents. Keep in mind that a moving company DOES NOT provide insurance! They provide liability coverage based on weight, this is not insurance. If a moving company tries to sell you insurance. It’s a scam.

The most commonly accepted level of liability coverage used on moves ( because its free) is at the compensation rate of $0.60 per pound per article. This is to say that if your flat screen TV worth $2000, weighing 20lbs is broken. Your compensation will be 20 x $0.60 = $12.00

You should remember that you can’t move items like prescription drugs, illegal drugs, liquids, chemicals, explosives etc in a moving truck.

In conclusion

The answer to why the size of the moving truck you rent is so important is because having a truck that is too big or too small is more than just an inconvenience – it’s also a safety hazard. Trucks that are too small lead to improper stacking and a higher potential for damaged belongings and a risk of injury when loading and unloading. Trucks that are too big mean that things are probably going to be shifting around in transit, leading to potential damage or injury. Choosing what size moving truck you should get is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when organizing your DIY move.

These are the tips that have already been tested by time by our professional team of experienced movers. They will help you make the move safe and without losses. If a person does not have the desire to pack their own things and organize an apartment move, you can ask professional movers for help. Our team of professionals is ready to provide all the necessary services your unique relocation requires. Let us be the mediators that can help you to coordinate your fast and easy move to a new life. Get a free moving quote, use our moving cost calculator or contact us to know all the details.