Truck Rental, Explaining Sizes

Self-moves or do-it-yourself moves are very popular with people who like taking the reins on their relocation. It’s a popular choice for people who like personally handling their move, and it’s also a viable option for people who want to save up on moving costs.

One of the most basic aspects of doing a self-move is renting a moving truck for you to transport your things in. Moving trucks come in various forms and sizes and one of your first major decisions should be what type of truck to use.

The most common rule of thumb is to allot 150 cu. ft. of truck space per (fully-furnished) room.

For most trucks here is the amount of space that they have:

• 12 ft. truck = 450 cu. ft.
• 16 ft. truck = 800 cu. ft.
• 22 ft. truck = 1,200 cu. ft.
• 26 ft. truck = 1,400 cu. ft.

Here’s a truck size guide based on how many rooms you have:

• Pickups or small cargo vans for small jobs or one room
• 10 ft. truck for an average size studio-type apartment
• 14 ft. truck for a 2-bedroom apartment
• 17 ft. truck for a house with 2 bedrooms
• 20 ft. truck for a house with 3 bedrooms
• 24 ft. truck for a house with 3 to 4 bedrooms
• 25 ft. truck for a house with more than 4 bedrooms

More than that and you’ll definitely need more than just one truck to move everything.

Renting a truck – let’s talk about pricing and payment

Now that you have an idea of the size of the truck you’ll be renting, you need an idea of how costing happens.

Of course the price will vary from one company to another and depending on the availability and demand of the trucks. So the rental price this week may not be the same as next week’s.

For local truck rentals (local moves), companies offer a flat rate per day per truck. Others charge on a per-mile basis. Here, the customer gets the truck from their office and returns it there as well.

One way rentals on the other hand refer to a set-up where the customer picks up the truck and then drops it off at a specific point after usage. They can also offer day rates or per-mile rates depending on the season and availability of the trucks.

Deposits are usually required before renting a truck. Most companies insist on credit card payments while others will accept cash deposits as well.

Lastly, when it comes to returning the truck, you should make sure that the truck is thoroughly cleaned and that the tank is refueled. Otherwise, you may incur additional penalties.