For your upcoming move you have decided to rent a moving truck but have no clue what truck size you should get - Sound like you? If you search the web you will find many references and opinions, some extremely generic (14' will move 1-2 bedrooms) and others offering a more advanced opinion (12 ft. truck = 450 cu. ft.). The problem, we believe at least, lies in the interpretation of information provided - 1-2 bedrooms may mean something completely different in Arizona than in New York City.
Process of Elimination - A Look at Rental Truck Sizes
The simplest way to choose your rental truck size is to eliminate possibilities that do not exist in your situation. For example, if you have chosen to utilize Budget Truck you will only have three available size options: 10', 16' and 24'. In case you're wondering, 94% of people relocating with a rental truck choose their company based on price or geographical limitations. With that in mind we can assume that most people will have between 3 and 5 truck size options to choose from depending on which company is being used.
Rental Trucks for Small Moves
- Small rental trucks should be used primarily for local moves. Only consider renting a 10'-12' truck if you have a studio or small one bedroom apartment with minimal furniture.
- Most small moving trucks have rear wheel wells that stick out and reduce the amount of flat cargo space.
- You will likely find that a larger truck (see medium sizes below) costs the same or sometimes less than a small truck. This is because most companies don't have an extensive inventory of small trucks whereas they usually have a large inventory of medium trucks.
- Fuel economy for small rental trucks tends to be 9-14 MPG.
| Rental Company | Truck Size | Size Class |
|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 10' | Small |
| Budget Truck | 10' | Small |
| Penske Truck | 12' | Small |
Rental Trucks for Apartments and Small Homes
- Moving trucks between 14'-17' are the most common sizes rented. They tend to be the most inexpensive trucks because of the quantity available.
- Medium truck sizes are best used for 1-2 bedroom apartments as well as small homes. We typically don't recommend this size to anyone with more than 1200 SqFt of living space.
- Fuel economy for medium rental trucks tends to be 8-11 MPG.
| Rental Company | Truck Size | Size Class |
|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 14' | Medium |
| Budget Truck | 16' | Medium |
| Penske Truck | 16' | Medium |
| U-Haul | 17' | Medium |
Rental Trucks for Single Family and Townhomes
- With the exception of the 20' U-Haul, all of the trucks in this size range require diesel fuel. Remember to factor the cost difference of diesel fuel into your overall moving budget.
- Larger rental trucks are best utilized for single family and townhomes. If you have any doubt about whether or not your household goods can fit into a medium truck size you should always defer to this range.
- Fuel economy for large rental trucks tends to be 4.5-6.5 MPG.
| Rental Company | Truck Size | Size Class |
|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 20' | Large |
| Penske Truck | 22' | Large |
| Budget Truck | 24' | Large |
| U-Haul | 26' | Large |
| Penske Truck | 26' | Large |
Still Not Sure?
We know choosing your rental truck size can be difficult, especially if your moving long distance. If you still need more help we recommend reviewing another one of our relocation guides, choosing a rental truck size. We hope that our guide to choosing the correct rental truck size was helpful for you. We leave you with some final tips and advice not otherwise covered in this blog:
- If you're moving locally this should be a no-brainer. Truck rentals used for local moves are billable at a per day and mileage rate, the daily price may vary by $10-$20 depending on the size. In other words, spend the extra few bucks and get the larger truck just to be sure.
- If you plan to pack and load your moving truck by yourself or with help from your friends you should defer to a larger truck size. Professional movers are trained to maximize the overall space, whereas those not professionally trained may not be able to achieve the same level of efficiency. If you are considered about space consumption consider hiring moving labor to properly load your truck.