Finally the day has come for your big move and you have decided to rent a moving truck, the next questions that may come to mind are what size moving truck do I need? or How do I chose the right size moving truck?

Choosing the right size moving truck rental is one of the most critical aspects to having a safe and pleasant do it yourself move. If you rent a moving truck that is too small, then you will be in the midst of a moving nightmare. You’ll either have to unpack the truck entirely to exchange it for the next size up, or arrange alternate moving arrangements for the items that don’t fit. This is especially inconvenient  and expensive when you’re moving cross-country.

To decide what the right size moving truck is for you, start by understanding how much stuff you actually have, usually the amount of bedrooms in a home is a good indication of how big a moving truck you will need;

MOVING TRUCK SIZE CALCULATOR

Truck Size

Home Size

Size Class
Pick Up Truck 1-bedroom Small
Cargo Van 1-bedroom Small
10’ Truck Studio or Small 1-bedroom apartment Medium
14’ Truck 1-2 bedroom Apartment Medium
17’ Truck 1-2 bedroom Apartment or Small Home Medium
20’ Truck 2-3 bedroom Single Family or Townhome Large
24’ Truck 3 Bedroom Family Home Large
26’ Truck 4 bedroom Family Home Large

HOW MUCH STUFF DO I HAVE?

Go through your home room-by-room and make a list of the major pieces of furniture you have. Include the large items like beds, dressers, dining room tables. Include any items that will not fit into a box.

Once you have your list prepared, visit your chosen truck rental company’s local center, or go to their website. They will typically have guidelines to help you decide which size equipment best matches your needs. There are 2 common ways these will be broken down:

A.)  By Number of Rooms: This is the simplest and easiest method for determining what size you need. The truck rental company will list their truck’s capacity in terms of rooms in your home for simplicity. Going along with the company’s general estimates saves time, but always remember that there are only estimates based on the typical furniture in any given room. For example, on bedroom may consist of a queen sized bed, a dresser and 2 nightstands. If the rooms in your home have a lot of furniture, you must assume that it will take up more space. If you are on the cusp between truck rental sizes, it is best to be safe and reserve the next size up. If you are unable to find a guide, here is a general starting point:

B.)  By Square Feet: Instead of categorizing their truck sizes by number of rooms, some companies may offer the cubic foot measurement of storage for each truck. In this instance, it’s best to take the list you made, and insert the numbers into an online calculator. In addition to using an online calculator, you can use a general rule of thumb and allow 150-200 cubic feet per of truck space per fully furnished room. Remember, though, that this too is only an estimate. If your home is very full of furniture you will want to allow more space.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MOVING TRUCK EXPERTS

After reading this article, you should finally be able to answer the questions of what size moving truck do I need? If all else fails and you are still having trouble understanding which size moving truck is right for your move, contact your local moving truck rental experts.

TIPS FOR LOADING YOUR MOVING TRUCK

– Don’t forget about the items outside such as bikes,propane grills, and patio furniture.
– Prepare for loading the truck by reading How to Load a Moving Truck.
– Consider adding insurance when renting your equipment.
– When in doubt, opt for the larger truck.