Things to Look Before Renting a Moving Truck

By: Mark Williams (University of Adelaide)

Abstract

Everyone is looking for a way to save cost on their moving; hence, they always

explore every option available to them. Considering the cost of hiring a

professional mover, some people think that renting a moving truck seems

better in terms of cost to move your property to your new home. If renting a

truck is an option you will love to consider for your move, then, let’s discuss

renting a moving truck to make your move as smooth as possible.

Here are some basic tips to hire a reliable and affordable company for renting

a moving truck.

1.0 Introduction

Moving is an event that people experience at least once in their lives. Whether

moving to an apartment, an office, or even to a country, moving is a relocation

process that always involves problems and difficulties. In fact, for some

people, the moving ends up being a nightmare.

It is not supposed that nightmares take place in daylight, but some common

life events bring so much tension, uncertainty and anxiety, which can easily be

classified as “quality nightmares”.

The most common problem we use to face during the moving process is to

find a trustable and professional removalists company or renting moving

truck. Here you will know about some tips which can help you in hiring a good

moving truck.

2.0 What Size Moving Truck Do I Need?

Make the Right Decision for Your Moving Day Needs

So – you’ve found your new home, and you’ve started packing up everything

you own into boxes. Great work! The more you pack now, the less you’ll have

to worry about on Moving Day. Next up on your list of tasks? Figuring out how

you’ll move all your stuff into your new home, and that means determining

the size of moving truck you should rent.

If you choose to hire a moving company to do everything for you, the company

will provide the proper truck in its fleet as part of its estimate. But unless you

have a fleet of close friends all with oversized trucks, you will need to rent a

moving truck.

Why Does the Size of Moving Truck Matter?

Why exactly do you need a moving truck that’s the "right" size? The day will

already be jam-packed with stresses about packing the truck securely,

unpacking it safely, and ensuring you actually MOVE everything. The last thing

you need to contend with on Moving Day is the actual moving capacity of the

vehicle you rent.

For example, if you choose too small of a truck, you will end up either making

multiple trips to move all your stuff to your new home, renting a second truck,

or getting rid of stuff you wanted to move. Getting everything to your new

home in one fell swoop will literally make your life easier. And if you choose

too large of a truck, you run the risk of boxes and furniture slipping and

sliding around in the truck, which could easily damage your possessions.

As simple as it might seem, selecting the right size of moving truck might be

the decision that ensures the success of your Moving Day.

What Types of Moving Trucks are Available?

There are three basic sizes of rental truck, each with their own recommended

range of abilities.

Small Trucks (10 to 12 feet in length):

You should only use this option if you currently live frugally in a studio or one-

bedroom apartment. If you have plenty of help and don’t mind two trips, you

could use this if you’re moving from one mid-sized apartment to another. Also,

keep in mind that the rear wheel wells stick out in the back of many small

moving trucks, which will impact your surface area.

Medium Trucks (14 to 17 feet in length):

These are the most common sized trucks rented out to DIY movers, as it’s

used by people moving between some combination of apartment and/or small

home. The only reason you should use this truck if you’re moving into a home

larger than 1,200 sq. ft. in size is if you’re moving from a small apartment and

don’t have lots of stuff already.

Large Trucks (20 to 24 feet in length):

This is the truck you should use if you’re moving from one average sized home

into another. Put another way, if you currently live in a three-bedroom house

that’s moderately furnished (at minimum), you will need every bit of space

offered by the large truck size.

Are there even larger trucks? Yes, but if you really do have that much stuff, we

do recommend hiring a moving company, as you probably don’t have the

necessary driving license required for such a vehicle.

How Do I Choose the Right Size?

You should start by asking the following questions as you prepare to select a

moving truck for your possessions.

How big is your current home?

How big is your new home?

How many items are you moving?

How much room do your possessions take up in terms of volume?

How far are you moving?

Most moving companies typically rate their moving trucks in terms of cubic

feet and/or the number of rooms in your new home. While that’s a good rule

of thumb, we tend to recommend that you defer to a larger sized truck –

unless you know exactly how much room your stuff will take up in a truck.

And let’s face it: most of us aren’t spatial wizards able to calculate cubic

volume with relative ease.

As mentioned before, if your possessions exceed our recommended levels for

truck sizes, you should probably rent a professional moving company, as you

might not be able to drive the largest size truck safely and legally.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Moving Truck

Basically, you should operate under the assumption that you can’t take

multiple trips to move your stuff and that everything needs to fit into the

rental truck. Getting a larger size truck is rarely a bad idea, especially if you

know you have lots of stuff, as it’s better to have a little too much space than

not enough.

Lastly, if you still have questions about your move, we heartily encourage you

to call your preferred rental company for recommendations, as they can

provide professional advice you need regarding the space you’re leaving, the

space you’re moving into, and the amount of possessions you have.

3.0 Get a Better Deal on a Moving Truck

Go online and search for price estimates for a moving truck with any of the

major companies and you're likely going to get wildly different quotes from

each company. In fact, half the time, the quote won't even be close to their

advertised price. It turns out renting a moving truck isn't as simple as it

sounds. To get the best deal you have to work for it a bit.

You've probably seen the ads for cheap moving truck rentals before: "Moves

from $19.95!" or "Reserve for just $20!" Inevitably, when you call to actually

make that reservation, it turns out the cost is often twice that much, maybe

more. When you start looking for a more extended trip, like cross-country, the

price differences get even larger.

I ran into this problem myself when I was pricing out moving trucks for a

cross country move. U-haul quoted me at $1,400. Penske was about $900, and

Budget was considerably cheaper at $600. The price difference was large

enough that I decided to figure out why. So, I called U-haul with my Budget

quote in hand, and asked for a deal. The U-Haul representative couldn't do it,

and it turns out, it was mostly because the dates I'd picked were popular days.

The U-Haul representative helpfully explained that it was all about supply, and

the dates I'd requested were high traffic weekends. MarketWatch confirms

this pricing model:

Likewise, the U-Haul representative told me I'd also just picked a crappy week

to move. The end of the month is when everyone needs a truck. Combine that

with the fact it's also right around Labor Day weekend and that means they

can charge me whatever they want because they know I need the truck.

Essentially, an algorithm chooses the price of a truck. The less demand, the

cheaper. The more demand, the more expensive. It has nothing to do with rate

quotes in ads, and like an airline ticket, it's entirely possible you'll pay a

different price for the same company in the same city at different times of the

year. It's obvious when you think about it, but how often do any of us actually

think about it?

So, why was Budget so much cheaper? It turns out, it's likely because I'm

doing them a favor. They had a lot of stock in Denver, not that much in Seattle

where I'm taking it. That means I move their inventory for them, someone else

gets to use the truck in Seattle, and we all win.

The tip here is simple: when you're shopping for a moving truck, compare

prices at every rental truck provider and play around with the dates. From

there, also try changing different pick up and drop off locations in your city

because different locations offer different prices. Your previous experience

doesn't really affect who is going to have the cheaper price. If you can, avoid

moving during summer, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Getting a deal on a moving truck is a lot like getting a deal on airline tickets.

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a Kayak for moving trucks yet.

4.0 Important Things to Look For When Renting a

Moving Truck

Hundreds of people opt for the affordable removalists in Adelaide to facilitate a move every day. And several others decide to do the arduous task on their own due to financial constraints.

While getting professional assistance takes the stress out of the process, making a DIY move comes with its baggage. Each step of the way has to be devised cautiously on your own – from the beginning until the end. Nonetheless, understanding the intricacies of the process and planning ahead of time will keep it much simplified.

The foremost requisite for a DIY move is to evaluate your trucking requirements and hire a suitable truck from a reliable removalists in Adelaide. Here’s a comprehensive list of factors that will help you clinch the best option.

1. Comparing the companies

The marketplace is brimming with a bewildering number of removalist companies making tall claims. So, reserving the most reliable and affordable removalist in Adelaide becomes a tough proposition.

You can achieve the desired success by comparing at least the top three or four firms. Call their offices and ask them the crucial questions such as:

How many dollars do you have to pay upfront?

Do you have to return the truck to a location near your destination or do you have to get it all the way back to the company?

How many miles are covered in the rental fees before you begin to pay per mile?

Do they have moving truck insurance in place?

Do you need to refill the gas tank before returning the truck?

Equipped with the information furnished by the companies, you can start evaluating. The key to selecting the best in the industry is a fair amount of

market research. There are reputable businesses that have carved a niche in the market with their impeccable services delivered over the years.

The former customers, through their testimonials, will apprise you of the quality of their previous work. Word of mouth is the most reliable indicator of the commitment of a firm. Ask your friends and the locals about the reputation held by the removalist in Adelaide and request free quotes to distinguish between them.

Once you’re sure about the company, book in advance. Not just that the zone of options expands, booking ahead of time also helps you to save some money when you are moving on a low budget.

2. Choosing the right size

It is vital to browse through the catalogue on the company’s website and scrutinise the various types of vehicles they offer. To determine the capacity of the truck, you need to infer the size of your home, the number of rooms and the bulk of stuff to be packed.

It’s a tricky situation; as choosing a size too small will be disappointing. It will not accommodate all your belongings and compel you to make multiple trips. On the other hand, renting a truck bigger than required will prove to be a rip-off.

Besides this, you’ll be driving the truck yourself. Hence, it is essential to arrange the one that fits the requirement perfectly as larger dimensions would be tough to maneuver. Most of the companies would allow choices ranging from small 10-foot trucks for one or two rooms to larger 26-foot ones capacitating the goods worth three or four bedrooms.

The thumb rule to attaining the perfect size is to pick the truck that accommodates 10% more stuff than you think you’ll load. As things do not always turn out as expected, you will most probably end up carrying more than what you initially contemplated.

3. Getting acquainted with the truck

Make yourself comfortable with the vehicle. Familiarise yourself with the feel of it before you go ahead to book. Unless you are an expert driver, handling a big size truck won’t come easy. Here are a few pointers for you to remember:

Practice maneuvering the truck in on a familiar road first.

Adjust the side mirrors to minimise the obstruction caused by blind spots.

Check the headlights, the side indicators and the wipers on the vehicle before it touches the highway.

Given the big size of the moving truck, taking turns will be tricky. So, allow much larger turning room before making a turn.

Plan the routes in Adelaide to avoid any detours, low bridges or narrow roads.

Identify the road traffic rules of the state to which you’re moving and check your license for expiry date.

Examine the truck for any pre-existent damage.

4. Moving truck insurance

To cover any possible harm to the vehicle, you would require a robust moving truck insurance scheme in place. Before you make the initial payment, make sure you have checked its insurance status. Inquire about the various features covered under the plan. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

So, in case the insurance policy in Adelaide doesn’t cover accidental damages in entirety, purchase additional insurance from the truck rental firm. In addition to this, you will require some moving equipment along with human help to secure the goods to the trucks.

Some vehicles would also provide a ramp to facilitate loading of heavy articles like furniture. Make sure you check if the ramp works before you leave the place.

5.0 Load a Moving Truck the Right Way

To be able to properly load the moving truck and ensure the safety of your

items during transit, you need to prepare well – choose the right size moving

truck, make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment, provide the

best possible protection to your belongings, take measures to protect your

property, clear the way from obstacles, and ask friends to help you lift and

carry your household items and load them on the moving vehicle.

When loading the moving van, be sure to distribute the weight of your items

evenly throughout the truck and to secure the items as you load.

Start with your largest and heaviest items, load the front of the truck first, and

work your way toward the back. Load the truck in rows from floor to ceiling

and make sure every layer is independently secured. The best way to pack a

moving truck is explained in greater details below.

Moving house is known to be hard – and rightly so. Every step of the

relocation process has its own challenges and poses its own risks. From the

big concerns of finding an appropriate new home and ensuring a smooth

transition to your new life, through the emotional turmoil of leaving friends

and familiarity behind, to the laborious tasks of packing up your home and

putting the necessary paperwork in order, every stage of the process requires

careful planning, adequate preparation, and proper execution. A single

mistake – even in a seemingly small detail – can cause a lot of trouble and ruin

your moving experience.

This is all the more true in the event of a self-move when you can’t rely on

professional help and need to take care of every single moving task yourself.

You need to know how to do things right or you risk turning your move into

a relocation nightmare. And since ensuring the safety of your belongings is,

arguably, the most essential factor in achieving a successful relocation, you’ll

definitely want to know how to provide good protection to your items during

transit.

Proper packing, of course, comes first in that regard. Proper loading is a close

second. Even a well-packed item can be easily damaged if it bumps against

another in the moving truck or topples over during a sharp turn or a sudden

stop. Besides, an improperly packed truck will be more difficult to drive and,

therefore, more likely to have an accident. On top of that, if you can’t pack the

truck tightly and utilize the storage space well enough, you may be forced to

make multiple trips between your old residence and your new one (or leave

some of your items behind if that is not an option).

So, before you start carrying boxes up the ramp of your rented moving vehicle,

make sure you know how to pack a moving truck the right way – so that you

can maximize the available space and minimize the risk of damage to your

items.

What to Do Before You Start Packing a Moving Truck

As is usually the case, proper preparation matters as much as the actual job

itself – to be able to properly load the moving truck and ensure your safe and

smooth relocation experience, you need to be well prepared:

Choose the right size moving truck – You need a vehicle that is big enough

to accommodate all your items, but not so large that it remains half-empty –

you don’t want to be paying for space you don’t use. To find out what size

moving truck will be right for you, you need to calculate the total cubic footage

of the items you have for moving and check what amounts different trucks can

hold. Keep in mind though that truck rental companies calculate the entire

space in the vehicles when listing the sizes of their moving trucks in cubic feet,

but it is virtually impossible to use the full capacity of the trailers as no one

can load and pack a truck so well that there are absolutely no empty spaces

(although professional packers come pretty close to it). Therefore, it is

advisable to opt for a moving van that has about 15% more storage space than

the estimated cubic footage of your belongings. Make sure the vehicle you rent

comes equipped a loading ramp and tie downs;

Have all the necessary tools and equipment – To avoid property damage

and personal injuries while loading the moving truck and minimize the risk of

damage to your items, you need to use the right equipment for the job – a

moving dolly, furniture sliders, moving blankets, moving straps, etc. These

simple, yet highly useful tools will make your DIY-move much safer, easier,

and more efficient;

Provide the best possible protection to your belongings – Use quality

packing materials and safe packing techniques to ensure that your items

survive the move intact and unscathed. Place as many of your items as you can

in similar-sized moving boxes – professional packing boxes are very sturdy

and designed to stack nicely on top of one another, which helps maintain the

integrity of the load. Make sure all boxes are labeled with their contents,

destination room, and necessary handling instructions;

The right size moving truck at the right place at the right time… Things just

feel right with your DIY-move.

Disassemble furniture – Taking large furniture pieces apart will make them

easier to pack and carry and will reduce the risk of damage to the items during

the relocation. It will also help maximize the space in the truck and distribute

the load more evenly

Protect your property – Be sure to take some precautionary measures

to prevent damaging your propertywhile hauling heavy items around and

taking them out of the home and into the moving truck. Cover floors and

staircases with protective, anti-slippery materials, wrap banisters and railings

in moving blankets, use foam padding and corner guards to protect door

frames and wall corners, etc.;

Clear the way from obstacles – Ensure a safe “route” to the moving truck –

remove debris, fallen leaves, snow, ice, mud, and other potential hazards from

the path between the front door of your home and the moving van; remove

potted plants, boxes, and other items from the entryway and the corridors of

your home; take down hanging items such as wind chimes, pictures, and

mirrors; etc.;

Ask friends for help – Loading a moving truck is not a one-man job – you

should never lift and carry heavy items by yourself. You risk not only injuring

yourself and/or damaging your belongings and your property (if you drop a

heavy piece of furniture or a box of breakables, for example), but also wasting

precious time and even losing money in the process (your truck rental time

will be longer and will cost you more, you may need to pay for repairs and

replacements, etc.). Having friends to help will speed up the process and make

it safer and easier. (See also: Let friends help you move)

Now you’re ready to get your rental truck and start loading it.

How to Load a Moving Truck Safely and Efficiently

The best way to pack a moving truck is to create a tight, evenly distributed

load, so that everything is balanced and your items are secured in place:

1. Lay a tarp on the floor of the trailer to protect your items from dust and dirt;

2. Load your largest and heaviest items first – kitchen appliances, weighty

furniture (dressers, cabinets), etc. Place them in the front of the truck (against

the wall closest to the cab) and be sure to distribute their weight evenly – for

example, position the washer on the opposite side from the fridge;

3. Pack in rows – from floor to ceiling, with the heaviest items on the bottom.

The top of a tier should be close to the trailer ceiling, so you may want to stack

some lightweight items on top of your appliances and other heavy household

objects, if there’s too much space left above them;

4. Pack items tight, like a jigsaw puzzle, to prevent them from shifting and

rubbing against one another during transit. When you finish the first tier, fill

the small gaps between the items with soft, non-breakable items like bags of

clothing or linen, pillows, etc. that can be “crushed” to accommodate any

empty space in the truck;

Plan the way you’re going to pack the moving truck BEFORE you start

carrying boxes up the loading ramp.

5. Wrap a ratchet strap or rope around the items from the first layer to hold

them together and keep them secured in place;

6. Load longer items (sofas, headboards, mattresses, etc.) next – put them along

the long walls of the track and keep them upright to optimize space. Secure

each of these items to the sides of the truck with straps and use moving

blankets and plastic wrap to provide some extra padding between them. Place

pictures and mirrors upright between mattresses and headboards and

tabletops – between couches;

7. Position desks, chairs, tables and other similar pieces in the middle. Put some

heavy boxes in the cavities underneath them to optimize the space and help

keep the furniture pieces in place;

8. Load the rest of your boxes, taking care to put heavier and larger ones on the

bottom and smaller and lighter ones on top;

9. Place miscellaneous, lightweight items on top and around the heavier goods.

Make sure they don’t move around during transport;

10. Load open-first boxes and survival bags last, so that you have easy

access to your essentials and the most important items from each room. These

boxes should be the first to be unloaded when you reach your new home (as

they will allow you to make it livable immediately after arrival and will

facilitate the unpacking of the other items), so they should be near the back

door of the moving truck.

Extra Tips for Packing a Moving Truck

Packing a moving truck is a tricky endeavor, so a few bonus tips and tricks on

how to do it right won’t go astray:

Unless you can park the rented moving truck in your own driveway, reserve a

convenient parking place directly in front of the door to your home;

Keep the items you will need during the trip and your most important and

most valuable possessions (documents, jewelry, essential electronics, etc.) in

the cab with you (See also: Essential things to have on moving day);

Load the front of the truck first and work your way toward the back;

Be careful to distribute the weight of your items evenly throughout the truck –

from front to back and side to side. Loading your heaviest belongings in an “I”-

formation is a good way to achieve even distribution;

Load the truck in layers and make sure each layer is self-contained and

independently secured, so that the items in it don’t bump into or rub against

items from an adjacent layer;

Make sure every item in the truck is safely wrapped in protective materials

(furniture blankets, paper paddings, plastic wrap, mattress covers, etc.) and

fully immobilized. Use plenty of padding to provide insulation between the

items and make the load as tight as possible. Use sturdy straps or ropes to

secure the articles in place;

Secure the items as you load – tie down each article to keep it safe, then wrap

a long sturdy rope (or ratchet strap) around all the items in a tier;

Do not stack boxes containing fragile items under other boxes and make sure

any items you put on top of them are lightweight;

Do not place heavy boxes/items on top of thin-legged furniture;

Make sure items with protruding metal parts and other sharp-edged objects

that could cause damage are not loaded against upholstered or wood

furniture;

Fill any remaining space between the top of the boxes/items and the truck’s

ceiling with soft, non-breakable items;

If there are several people helping you move, designate two of them to remain

on the truck while the others are carrying items. This will not only speed up

the process, but will also result in a tighter, better fitting load as the same

people will be arranging all the items and will know the best place for each

and every piece;

When all your items are loaded on the moving truck, replace the ramp, close

the back of the truck, and push the safety pins into place;

Ensure your personal safety:

o Wear comfortable clothes according to the current weather conditions,

enclosed sturdy shoes with a good grip, and work gloves (avoid baggy clothes

and long jewelry pieces that may get snagged and cause you to trip and fall);

o Use auxiliary moving equipment like dollies and furniture sliders. Secure the

items on the dolly well and keep the load balanced;

o Know your route before you lift an item and plan your next step in advance.

Move slowly and carefully;

o Make sure you can see where you’re walking;

o Get a firm footing before lifting a heavy object;

o Lift with your legs and bend your knees when picking up or setting down an

item. Keep your bag as straight as possible throughout the process;

o Have a second person support heavy items when taking them down stairs and

up the loading ramp;

o Make sure the loading ramp is fully extended, dry, and free of debris.

Get moving help – loading a moving truck is a laborious and risky process. If

you’re not up to the challenge (or don’t have physically strong friends who are

willing to come and help you on moving day), consider hiring professional

moving assistance:

o Loading and unloading services – You can request loading and unloading

services from a professional moving company and have a couple of movers

come to your home to assist you with loading your items (if you’re working

with a nationwide company, they will provide unloading services at your final

destination as well – even if you’re moving long distance). You can get as

much or as little help as you want – the workers can disassemble your

furniture, prepare your larger household items for shipping, and load the

moving truck for you, but you can also limit their services to loading heavy

furniture or taking care of a specialty item only;

o Moving labor – You can hire several workers to come to your home on

moving day and load your items on the rented moving truck. If you’re moving

locally, the same team can also help you unload your belongings and take

them into your new home. (See also: How to unload a moving truck the right

way) You will be charged by the hour for using moving labor services;

o Pickup and delivery services – If you prefer to pack and unpack your

belongings yourself but don’t want to rent and drive a moving truck, you can

hire a moving company to transport your items to your new home. The

movers will load the moving van, drive it to your final destination, and unload

the shipment for you.

Loading a moving truck takes a lot of time and effort – and so does driving

it all the way to your new home. You can save yourself that time and avoid any

unnecessary self-moving risks by hiring professional movers to help you

relocate. The pros will take the burden off your shoulder – both literally and

figuratively – and will perform your move in the safest, fastest, and most

efficient way possible. Your chosen movers will not only load, transport, and

unload your items, but will also provide you with any extra services you may

need to ensure the successful outcome of your relocation adventure and will

ensure your peace of mind. You won’t have to lift a finger (or a single moving

box) and will enjoy a smooth and stress-free moving experience – just make

sure you find reliable movers for your forthcoming relocation.

6.0 Conclusion

Moving trucks provide an easy and affordable way to transport lots of small

objects at once and tow large items that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to

budge. Though the rental process may seem confusing at first, it is actually

fairly straightforward once you know all the steps involved. Make yourself

comfortable with the vehicle. Familiarize yourself with the feel of it before you

go ahead to book.

References

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Thorin Klosowski, 2013 | How to Get a Better Deal on a Moving Truck with a Simple Trick | Life Hacker, Retrieved 8 July, 2019 from, https://lifehacker.com/how-to-get-a-better-deal-on-a-moving-truck-with-a-simpl-1084235787 2018 | Important Things to Look For When Renting a Moving Truck | Better Removalists Adelaide, Retrieved 8 July, 2019 from, https://www.betterremovalistsadelaide.com.au/important-things-to-look-for-when-renting-a-moving-truck/ Jessica Ryan, 2019 | How to Load a Moving Truck the Right Way | My Moving Reviews, Retrieved 8 July, 2019 from, https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/how-to-load-a-moving-truck/ 2019 | How to Rent a Truck | Wiki How, Retrieved 8 July, 2019 from, https://www.wikihow.com/Rent-a-Truck