The relocation day is slowly approaching, and you’re wondering – what size moving truck do I need? Deciding on the right one is not a simple task since there are many factors that have to be taken into account. There are several types of trucks one can choose from based on the number of bedrooms in the house or apartment, so don’t forget to follow our tips if you want your move to be successful.
What size of truck do you need to move? First, evaluate how many pieces of furniture and items you must transport. For example, for a studio apartment with fewer belongings, one might only need to rent a pickup; for medium-sized homes with rooms that are fully furnished, a 17-ft vehicle would be appropriate, and for large houses, either a 20-ft or a 26-ft rental would suffice.
There are many aspects that have to be taken into consideration when thinking about your move. The best thing one can do is go on a walk-through of the home and make a move-out list. Note down how many pieces of furniture need to be packed and transported. This is the first step to determining what kind of vehicle should be selected. From 10 ft and 15 ft lorries to 26 ft trucks, there are different options for every type of household.
The list should include large furniture pieces such as dressers, tables, beds, bookcases, and every item that won’t be packed in a cardboard box. In case there are too many belongings on the list, consider downsizing before the move and crossing some things off. There are always belongings that are not worth transporting or placing in a storage unit. So, get rid of unnecessary things by selling or donating to charity.
Those who want to know the simplest way of choosing the right transportation vehicle should only consider the number of rooms in their house. Every relocation company will offer an overview of each truck’s capacity in terms of the number of bedrooms in the house or apartment. Their outline is based on the general estimates for a typical bedroom. Those who have more furniture in their bedrooms should be careful when selecting trucks since the load might take up a bit more space.
For two or more bedrooms, it is usually considered that a 15-foot vehicle would be a great choice, while a 20-ft relocation machine would be perfect for two to three bedrooms. For bigger homes that have four or more bedrooms, one should rent a 26-foot transportation vehicle.
Another option is to calculate cubic feet, as some relocation companies provide an overview of their trucks’ maximum storage spaces. Individuals who are well-versed in measurements can only measure everything from their checklist of belongings for the new apartment or house and type out the numbers into an online calculator.
So, is there a way to estimate which moving truck size is suitable for your household? Those who want to avoid doing any calculations can simply base their choice on general estimates. One should know that each fully furnished room requires about 150-200 cubic feet of storage space. Bear in mind that this is a general estimate and that you should always take into consideration how many large and bulky items you have in your own household. Sometimes more spaces are required based on the furniture you are relocating to a new home.
Clients who are relocating to the big city from a one-bedroom home and have minimal furniture can choose a rental pickup. There will be enough room for every item and piece of furniture. Other belongings that are most valuable and essential can be transported in your own car. Pickup rental trucks are usually 8 feet long, and their maximum load-bearing weight limit is 1,900 pounds. Another affordable option is to select a cargo van. They can carry a light load and furniture that has the dimensions of a queen mattress. Cargo vans generally have a length of 11 feet and 11 inches.
People who are relocating for the first time and have a lot of valuable items and furniture in a studio apartment should opt for 10 to 12 ft rental trucks. These vehicles are slightly bigger than pickup trucks and cargo vans, but those who have a full set of furniture would greatly appreciate the additional space. Perhaps you’re not going to pack a car for the move, so additional things won’t fit anywhere else but in the 10 or 12-ft four-wheeler. They are usually 11 feet, 8 inches in length, and their weight limit is 3,000 pounds.
People usually ask themselves – how big of a moving truck do I need for small homes? When relocating from a small home or a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment, renting a 15-17 ft transportation vehicle would be best. There is a place for all cardboard boxes packed with fragile items as well as bulky furniture.
Their weight limit is somewhere between 4,000 pounds and 6,000 pounds. They have an interior of 800 cubic feet, and the gas mileage is 10 mpg. As for their durability, they are perfectly suitable for long-distance moves. In case you’re worried that some of the boxes won’t fit in smaller ones, choose a 17-ft vehicle, and you’ll avoid making multiple trips from the old house to the new one.
A 17 ft. vehicle is a perfect choice for relocating a two or three-bedroom home. It is suitable for both cross-country and local moves. One can easily place a three-seater sofa, a desk, a dining table for four people, a TV stand, two big bed sets, and various appliances. There will also be room for valuable artwork, picture frames, and any type of equipment. A two-bedroom home typically has an interior of about 860 cubic feet, so it should fit easily. They usually have a mom’s attic, which can hold belongings that were not packed into boxes.
Having enough room for all the belongings required in the new home is essential. In case you own a house with three or four bedrooms that are fully furnished, why not upgrade to a 20-foot rental before you move out of state? Their moving truck dimensions are 19 feet, 7 inches, and their weight limit is 6,000 pounds.
The interior contains 1,000 cubic feet, which is enough to fit large dining tables, chairs, and refrigerators. It will be easy to load up a tall or short dresser, a coffee table, a sectional sofa, and two king-size mattresses. It is possible that there will be extra room for additional belongings.
However, if you own a large home with five or more bedrooms, a 20-feet long vehicle might still not be enough. Relocating everything safely will only be possible in the 26-foot vehicle. They come with a higher towing capacity, and their dimensions are usually 26 feet, 8 inches. The weight limit is 10,000 pounds, making them perfect for relocating large homes cross-country.
Do you own a California king mattress or a large bookcase that you fear won’t fit into any vehicle? Thankfully, this 26-foot vehicle comes with about 1,700 cubic feet of space, including some extra room in the overhead compartments. One can move a piano, large tables, armchairs, pianos, and dressers in this vehicle. Beds, desks, equipment, and stereo systems can also fit inside.
Those belongings that can be disassembled should be taken apart, as they’ll be more protected during transit and grant some extra room. Use bubble wrap or packing paper, which can be obtained from the Craigslist website, and cover the furniture and delicate things such as glassware, dishes, and electronics. Those belongings you don’t want to cram inside can be comfortably placed in a towing trailer. Therefore, for any large loads, simply choose the 26-ft vehicle, and you won’t experience anxiety about the relocation.
When organizing your move, it’s of utmost importance to learn useful tips which will make the process more efficient and smooth. Succeeding in incorporating the advice will save you money and time. Here are some of the best tips related to relocation and choosing a transportation vehicle for your cargo.
These long-distance relocation tips will come in handy during the preparation process. Include them on your to-do list, and your move will be effortless. Without thorough and proper organization and planning, relocation mistakes can easily happen.
For additional advice on how to start preparing for a move, watch this insightful video on useful packing hacks:
It’s vital not to forget that your car has to be shipped to the new destination, too. Pondering over whether everything will be packed correctly inside your truck’s storage space might make you lose sight of your car, but a USA auto transport company will be able to help with that. By requesting auto transport services, one will be able to decide whether to have a car transported on an open trailer or rather invest in enclosed auto transport. Those who want to protect their vehicles from any type of outside elements should opt for the latter option.
You will have an opportunity to choose between two delivery options – door-to-door auto transport and terminal-to-terminal car shipping. Those who would like to invest in a more affordable option should choose the latter option. You should know that with this type of delivery, the client is obliged to drive the vehicle to the regional terminal, where the professional drivers will load it on the trailer.
On the other hand, if you want to request a more convenient solution, door-to-door auto transport is the answer. Everything will be taken care of by the relocation crew; you will only have to give them the keys. The car will be directly shipped to your driveway.
This type of vehicle is best suited for relocating 2-3 bedroom houses or large apartments. One can expect to load it with a crib, dining table for six people, chairs, a sectional sofa, a desk, and a king mattress. There will be enough room for cardboard boxes of various sizes.
It depends on what type of household one wants to move to. It is estimated that the 16-ft vehicles can transport ten medium furniture pieces and as many as 250 medium boxes. Their weight limit is up to 3,500 pounds. For two-bedroom apartments, this truck’s capacity is enough.
Many companies offer the 26 ft. vehicle as their largest option for a long-distance relocation. It is ideal for 4+ bedroom homes, as anything from a California king mattress to bookcases and dining room tables can fit inside. It is estimated that one can move a family of four in one trip using them.
When preparing for a long-distance move, the first thing you should do is pick what to transport and what to leave behind. Once you know how many belongings you will take, it will be easier to decide on which vehicle will be appropriate. Factoring in cubic feet of the household and the number of bedrooms will help make a final decision. Contact the relocation company to get more information on the price, schedule, and relocation services. Follow our tips, and there won’t be any unpleasant surprises.
