If you hire a professional moving company, they will determine the proper truck size based on the amount of stuff you have. It’s their job, and they do it well. If you plan on conquering your move independently, how do you know which size to go with? What if you rent one that is too small and your stuff doesn’t fit? What a pickle. Or what if you rent one that is too big and waste money? If math and Tetris aren’t your strengths, then you may need some help figuring out what size moving truck to rent for your move.
Consider Size
Remember Goldilocks laid in the bed that was too soft, then the one that was too hard, but then finally laid in one that was just right? You want to have a moving truck that is just right. Moving day will be a busy day of moving, organizing, and possibly saying your last goodbyes.
Too Small
You have enough to worry about on moving day without stressing over the capacity of the moving truck you rented. If your moving truck is too small, your move could end up taking longer and costing more than anticipated. Likely, you will either have to make multiple trips to your new house or rent a second moving truck. During certain times of the year, moving trucks are in such high demand that you may not even have the option to rent another. Your only option may be to go back and forth or get rid of a bunch of stuff.
None of these options are ideal in any way.
Too Big
If you choose a truck that’s too big, you are likely to have empty space in your truck. While some room to stretch out is great in your car, it can lead to chaos in the back of your moving truck. Boxes and furniture can slide and move about the truck because of all the empty space. That is not ideal and can result in damaged possessions.
Selecting the ideal size moving truck will be the foundation of your successful moving day.
How to Choose a Moving Truck of the Right Size
To determine the correct size moving truck to rent, first, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the size of my current home?
- How many items am I moving?
- How big is my new home?
- How much room, in terms of volume, do my possessions take up?
- How far am I moving?
Moving companies market their trucks based on cubic feet and the number of bedrooms in your new abode. If you are moving by yourself, it might be best to rent a larger truck to stay safe. If you’re moving during a busy moving season, you may be unable to rent another truck on the fly and find yourself in a pinch. Unfortunately, many of us are not spatial wizards when calculating cubic volume, so it can be hard to make the call.
Here are some general guidelines for each truck size:
Small Truck: 10-12 feet
- Studio or one-bedroom apartment
- 1,700 sq. ft. space
- 3,000 pounds and or/ 400-450 cubic feet of possessions
- Less than six pieces of furniture
- 50 boxes or less
Medium Truck: 14-17 feet
- Home with two bedrooms
- 700 – 1,2000 sq. ft. space
- 3,000- 4,500 pounds and/or 650-850 cubic feet if possessions
- Ten or fewer pieces of furniture
Note: This is the most common size truck rented by DIY movers
Large Truck: 20-24 feet
- Three-Bedroom Home
- 1,200 – 1,600 sq. ft. space
- 4500- 6500 pounds and/or 900-1400 cubic feet of possessions
- 15 pieces of furniture or less
- 150 moving boxes or less
Even larger moving trucks do exist. However, if you have more stuff than will fit in a large moving truck, you should hire a moving company in Utah because you most likely don’t have the required driving license to operate such a large vehicle. It will undoubtedly make your life easier and be worth the cost.
Making the Best Call
Choosing the right size moving truck is an essential piece of the puzzle. A moving truck that will hold all your possessions will save you from making multiple trips to complete your move and make moving day much easier. Sizing up will always be better than sizing down. It’s better to have a little extra room than not enough room. If the decision process alone is giving you a headache and you need some help, call a moving company to orchestrate all the details and take the stress off your shoulders.