How To Choose the Right Size U-Haul Moving Truck Rental
Are you moving into a new place, restocking livestock reserves for your ranch, or hauling feed across town? The journey may be exciting, stressful, and exhausting all at once! Fortunately, the right moving truck size can ease the burden, literally and figuratively.
You don’t want to cram too many boxes and a refrigerator or a few bales of hay into a vehicle that’s too small. You also don’t want to spend a fortune on a massive truck just to use half of the available space.
At Shoppers Supply, we’ve welcomed countless customers through the doors of our farm and tool stores in Arizona, and we are always happy to help people figure out exactly what they need. In this blog post, we will guide you through choosing the perfect truck for every kind of move imaginable.
Moving Truck Sizes
Shoppers Supply is a U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer in Chandler, Apache Junction, and Gilbert. When you stop by, you will find quality products, friendly faces, and a wide range of moving trucks. Let us break down your options.
8-Foot Pickup
Eight-foot pickup trucks have an open bed design that makes it super easy to load and unload bulky or awkwardly shaped items like patio furniture or fencing supplies. Use one for a quick, cost-effective trip between your old house and new one or for transporting materials for a weekend project.
9-Foot Cargo Van
For moves to studio apartments, dorms, or businesses that demand extra protection, the 9-foot cargo van is your go-to. These vehicles are enclosed, which means your stuff stays safe and dry. With two access doors, you can effortlessly carry anything from Shoppers Supply hardware stores in Arizona.
10-Foot
If you need more room than a van offers, rent a 10-foot truck. U-Haul also has a 10-foot Mini Mover®, the smallest box truck that still lets you tow your car behind. The highlight? It’s easy to drive. Enjoy convenient and flexible relocations!
15-Foot
Stepping up in size, the 15-foot truck has generous space for moderate local moves or smaller long-distance trips, including a towing capacity of up to 10,000 pounds. U-Haul’s exclusive Mom’s Attic has a special compartment to store fragile items, such as glassware or electronics, safely. Maneuverability is a feature, too.
20-Foot
You probably want to go with a 20-foot moving truck if you have multiple large furniture pieces, appliances, and plenty of boxes for your two to three-bedroom home. With its large storage capacity and loading ramp, this vehicle ensures everything will fit comfortably and securely for the ride.
26-Foot
A 26-foot truck is ideal for long-distance moves. Make it all happen in a single trip, no compromises! Combine it with a 6×12-foot cargo trailer, and you get about 22% more space. That is an additional 126 medium boxes of whatever you have collected over the years.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Moving Truck Rental Size
You cannot rely on guesswork when it comes to moving truck rentals. You must know, measure, and estimate!
Here are the factors that will help you make the right call.
The Number of Items
The overall size of your home (or whatever you’re transporting) is the first thing to think about. For example, a smaller truck or cargo van should do the trick for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. For a bigger house or hauling supplies from one of our Shoppers Supply feed stores, however, you may require something more sizable.
The Types of Items
Some things simply take up more space. Sectionals, dining tables, and mattresses? Add washers, dryers, and several other oversized pieces like grills and planters, and you will be playing Tetris when loading! Generally, it’s better to have extra space, but not too much.
The Number of Moving Boxes
Boxes are sneaky because they don’t look like much until stacked. Once you start packing, you will realize how fast these containers can fill up a vehicle. It’s much easier to have a little room left over than to make a second trip, so estimate generously.
Distance
For those moving across town, you could probably manage with a slightly smaller truck and two trips. For long-distance travels, though, it is a different story. You will want plenty of room since going back and forth is impractical. When in doubt, select the next size up to save time, stress, and gas money.
Loading and Unloading Services
How much support will you have on moving day? With a couple of friends or hired help, handling a larger truck should be a breeze. When flying solo, however, a smaller truck might be the smarter choice.
Typically, two people can load and unload an 8-foot pickup truck in 2.46 hours. A 9-foot cargo van will take 2.27 hours, and 2.30 hours for a 10-foot truck. A 15-foot truck may demand up to 2.39 hours, and a 20-foot one 2.84 hours. When using a 26-foot moving truck, expect to spend 3.30 hours with assistance.
Tips for Renting Moving Vehicles
Before you secure a vehicle for your journey, follow these tips that our pros swear by:
- Measure Your Items. Take a few minutes to measure your most considerable furniture, appliances, or equipment. Doing so will determine how much space you need and where every bit will fit.
- Pack Efficiently. Maximize every square inch. Stack boxes by weight (distribute weight evenly!), secure fragile things on top, and use moving blankets to prevent scratches. The more organized your packing, the safer your belongings will be.
- Reserve ASAP. Moving trucks book up fast during peak season. So, reserve a unit early (ideally between Sunday and Thursday) to lock in the best rates and guarantee availability.
- Get Insurance. Life happens. Protect yourself and your properties with rental truck coverage. The peace of mind in knowing you are covered in case of any accidental bumps or dings is priceless.
The Right Moving Vehicle Rental Size
Again, there is a “perfect” truck rental size for your move. Let us give you a recap!
- Small Moves: 8-Foot Pickup Trucks or 9-Foot Cargo Vans. A mattress, a few appliances, or boxes of products from Shoppers Supply farm stores? Trust the open beds or enclosures of these vehicles.
- Big and Heavy Moves: 10-Foot, 15-Foot, or 20-Foot Trucks. For beds, couches, and maybe even outdoor equipment, book 10-, 15-, or 20-foot trucks. You will benefit from the mix of space and power.
- Long Distance Moves: 26-Foot Trucks. The largest option is your best bet for moves that require you to take everything in one go. You and your things will travel together!
Shoppers Supply, Your All-Around Moving Help
Whatever you’re carrying and wherever you’re headed, Shoppers Supply is open with complete moving supplies. We promise to pinpoint the right truck size, too!
Moreover, we have loading zones called The Side Yard. Let us know what you’re looking for, pay for it, and then drive over. Show one of our team members your receipt, and we will do the heavy lifting for you. What more could you ask for in your next moving experience?
Swing by our locations in Arizona today and see for yourself why so many locals trust us for all their moving needs. Contact Shoppers Supply online for comprehensive support!