Need A Moving Truck? Know What Size Is Necessary

If you are planning to handle all of the heavy lifting involved with a move, you are going to need to rent a truck to transport all your belongings. However, the first question you'll be asked is which truck size you need to get the job done.

Selecting a truck that is too small can result in multiple trips to a home, which takes time that you may not have on your moving day. A truck that is too big can be more expensive to rent, as well as way too big to drive for your comfort level. Many large trucks are stick shift, and if you are not familiar with how to drive those vehicles, this choice may not be possible.

Here are some tips for selecting the right size moving truck.

10 Foot Trucks

One of the smallest trucks you can rent is around 10 feet long. These are perfect if you are moving a very small studio apartment, a one-bedroom apartment, or helping a child move into their college dorm. The truck is quite small, so you shouldn't have any problems handling the vehicle on the road.

There won't be room for large appliances, but thankfully, you won't have those. Since the height restriction is usually too small to move a large refrigerator, be aware that these small trucks usually lack the ramp that slides out from underneath that allows you to walk directly into the truck.

15 Foot Trucks

As the trucks get bigger, you'll be able to fit more things into them. 15 foot trucks are ideal for people moving an apartment that has one or two bedrooms. This truck size is ideal because you are typically not moving appliances with a small apartment. You can also seat more people in the front of the truck, preventing the need to take a separate car if you're traveling with people to help with the move.

17 Foot Trucks

A 17 foot truck is the bare minimum you will need if you are moving a home with appliances, since it includes the loading ramp and has the height that you need to store your appliances upright. Rent this type of truck if you have a small home with 2 or 3 bedrooms.

20 & 26 Foot Trucks

In addition to the room to store everything for a large 3 or 4 bedroom home, you may need a larger truck to take advantage of its towing power. These trucks often have a trailer hitch on the back, which can be used for towing a car or trailer behind it.

For more information on moving and renting your moving truck, contact companies like Lake County Storage of Round Lake Heights.