Renting a Moving Truck: How Big Should My Moving Truck Be?

One of the hardest things about renting a moving truck is getting a truck that is the right size. Getting too large a truck can cause item damage from items shifting and getting too small of a truck will cause you to make multiple trips and wasted time. This guide will help you rent the correct size moving truck.

Typical rental truck size guidelines:

A cargo van or trailer is recommended for a small load of household goods.

A fifteen-foot truck is recommended for three rooms or less.

A twenty-foot truck is recommended for three to five rooms.

A twenty-four foot truck is recommended for five to eight rooms. There are always exceptions to the rental truck size guidelines:

If you have oversized furniture, you will want to get a bigger truck.

If you have fragile items that need a lot of protective padding, get a larger truck.

If you have small or mostly collapsible furniture, use a smaller truck. Should I consider renting multiple moving trucks?

While renting multiple moving trucks may seem like a waste of money, it is a great time saving technique. In fact, it can save you money by preventing you from being forced to extend your rental. If you still find you need another day, you can at least return one truck. In addition, you can pack the trucks faster with less worry about what goes in first to save space. You can also work with multiple teams of people, if you can get enough help.

How do I make the most of my moving rental truck space?

To make the most of your rental moving truck space, you need to be very organized when packing your truck. Load large, awkward items first and pack smaller boxes and items around it. Place large flat items like mattresses against the walls. Put pictures and mirrors in between the mattresses. Put small items like plant stands and ironing boards in the truck last. If your truck has a section over the cab, use that for boxes marked fragile, and then further protect those boxes with cushions.

Whether you rent multiple moving trucks, or pack one truck very carefully, be sure to consider how long your move will take in advance and plan enough time to move your items. When using a moving truck, time to do the job is just and important as having ample space.