subject: What Size Truck To Use When Choosing Moving Truck Rentals [print this page] When you are moving, you want to keep your moving costs as low as possible. Part of making sure you are not paying more than needed is to know what size truck to use when choosing moving truck rentals. If you get one that is too large, you pay for more space than you needed. On the other hand, if you rent one that is too small, you might find yourself paying for extra mileage and gas based on the extra trips required. To make your moving experience as smooth as possible, you want to make sure you choose the right sized truck.
How Do I Determine What Size Truck to Rent?
A good rule of thumb is to allow about 150 cubic feet of space on your truck for each fully furnished room in your home. Using that general rule, moving three fully furnished rooms will call for a 12-foot truck. Moving the contents of five fully furnished rooms will call for a 16-foot truck. Moving eight fully furnished rooms will require a 22-foot truck. You want to be sure that things fit tightly, without being too crammed into the truck. Nothing is more disappointing than unloading your truck to find that something damaged because it was knocking against other things or jammed too hard against something else.
What Exactly Counts As a Fully Furnished Room?
Your living room probably includes a couch, a loveseat, an entertainment center, a coffee table, and possible some shelves. This room definitely counts as a fully furnished room.
Each bedroom in your home probably consists of a bed, nightstands, and dressers. These are going to tend to be fully furnished rooms. If you have an office with only a small desk and a shelf and a breakfast nook with nothing but a medium sized table and chairs, you might count these as a single room. If you are not sure, estimate higher rather than lower. Nothing is more disappointing than realizing you have rented a truck that is too small to haul everything.
What Sized Trucks Are Available?
Generally, you can rent trucks anywhere between 10 and 26 feet long. Different sized moving truck rentals are available, but you can use the above rule about 150 cubic feet per room to determine which size is right for you. Once again, be sure you allow enough space for everything you want to haul. Choosing the wrong size can be a costly mistake.
While moving can be both a stressful and exciting time, making sure you do it right can lead to a more satisfying overall experience. Making sure you have the right amount of space to move the things you care about is a good step in ensuring your move goes well. In addition, choosing the right sized truck is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you are not spending more than you need to and that everything goes just as planned.
