Size Uhaul Trucks: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Moving Vehicle

Size Uhaul Trucks: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Moving Vehicle cars.truckstrend.com

Moving is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events, and a significant portion of that stress stems from logistics – specifically, how to transport all your cherished belongings from point A to point B. This is where U-Haul, a household name in DIY moving, steps in. U-Haul offers a diverse fleet of trucks designed to accommodate moves of all sizes, from a single piece of furniture to an entire multi-bedroom home. However, the sheer variety can be overwhelming, leading to a crucial question: What size U-Haul truck do I need?

Choosing the correct size U-Haul truck is not just about fitting everything in; it’s about efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and peace of mind. An undersized truck means multiple trips, wasted time, and increased fuel costs. An oversized truck means paying for unused space, struggling with parking, and potentially higher fuel consumption. This comprehensive guide will break down the various U-Haul truck sizes, helping you make an informed decision for a smooth and successful move.

Size Uhaul Trucks: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Moving Vehicle

Understanding U-Haul’s Truck Fleet Philosophy

U-Haul’s business model is built around empowering individuals to manage their own moves. Their fleet is meticulously designed to offer a graduated scale of capacities, ensuring there’s a vehicle tailored for virtually every moving scenario. From the compact cargo van to the cavernous 26-foot truck, each option is equipped with features like low decks for easy loading, gentle ride suspensions, and integrated towing capabilities on many models. The core idea is to provide reliable, accessible, and appropriately sized transportation solutions for the DIY mover.

The U-Haul Truck Lineup: A Detailed Breakdown

Let’s delve into the specifics of each U-Haul truck size, detailing their typical use cases, dimensions, and key features. Understanding these distinctions is paramount to selecting the right fit.

8′ Pickup Truck

• Ideal For: Small, quick hauls, single large items (e.g., refrigerator, sofa), trips to the dump, DIY projects, or student moves with minimal belongings.
• Key Features: Standard pickup bed, often with an open top. Not enclosed, so items are exposed to elements. Limited capacity, but very maneuverable.



• Capacity: Roughly 76 cubic feet of space in the bed.

9′ Cargo Van

• Ideal For: Studio apartments, dorm rooms, small local deliveries, transporting a few pieces of furniture, or moving boxes for a small office.



• Key Features: Enclosed, lockable cargo area, easy to drive, good fuel economy for its size. No ramp.
• Capacity: Approximately 245 cubic feet. Can typically fit a queen-size bed and mattress, a dresser, and several boxes.

10′ Truck

• Ideal For: Studio to 1-bedroom apartments. One of the most popular choices for first-time movers due to its manageable size and generous capacity.
• Key Features: Low loading deck for easier access, often has a ramp (check specific truck), comfortable cab. Can typically tow a small vehicle.
• Capacity: Around 402 cubic feet. Fits a king-size bed, a sofa, love seat, two end tables, a dining table with chairs, and several boxes.

15′ Truck

• Ideal For: 1-2 bedroom homes or apartments. This is U-Haul’s most frequently rented truck size, striking a good balance between capacity and drivability.
• Key Features: Walk-in ramp for easy loading of heavy items, low deck, spacious cabin. Equipped with multiple tie-downs. Often used for local and long-distance moves. Can tow a car.
• Capacity: Approximately 764 cubic feet. Suitable for an entire 1-bedroom apartment or a compact 2-bedroom house, including appliances, furniture, and numerous boxes.

17′ Truck

• Ideal For: 2-3 bedroom homes or larger apartments. A step up from the 15′, offering significant additional space for those with slightly more belongings.
• Key Features: Similar to the 15′ with a walk-in ramp and low deck, but with an extended cargo area. Good for consolidating items from multiple rooms. Can tow a car.
• Capacity: Roughly 865 cubic feet. Can handle the contents of a typical 2-bedroom home, including a living room set, dining room set, two bedrooms, and appliances.

20′ Truck

• Ideal For: 3-4 bedroom homes. When you have a substantial amount of furniture, multiple large appliances, and countless boxes, the 20′ truck becomes a necessity.
• Key Features: Large capacity, walk-in ramp, low deck, spacious two-person cab. Excellent for long-distance moves where multiple trips are not feasible. Can tow a car.
• Capacity: Around 1,016 cubic feet. Comfortably fits the contents of a 3-bedroom house, including large furniture, multiple appliances, and a full garage.

26′ Truck

• Ideal For: 4+ bedroom homes, large estates, or commercial moves. This is the largest truck in the U-Haul fleet, designed for the biggest moving challenges.
• Key Features: Massive cargo area, extra-wide ramp for easy loading, low deck, three-person cab. Built for heavy loads and full household moves. Can tow a car.
• Capacity: Approximately 1,612 cubic feet. Capable of moving a complete 4-bedroom home, including oversized furniture, all appliances, and extensive box counts.

Key Factors When Choosing Your U-Haul Truck Size

Beyond simply looking at "how many bedrooms," several practical considerations should influence your U-Haul truck choice:

1. Volume of Belongings: This is the most critical factor. Do a thorough inventory of everything you need to move. Don’t just count boxes; visualize the space taken by sofas, beds, refrigerators, and washing machines.
2. Type of Items: Are your items mostly boxes, or do you have a lot of bulky, oddly shaped furniture? Bulky items consume more volume than their weight suggests.
3. Distance of Move: For local moves, multiple trips with a smaller truck might be feasible if costs align. For long-distance moves, getting everything into one truck is almost always preferable to avoid multiple fuel charges, time, and stress.
4. Access and Parking: Consider both your current and new locations. Are there narrow streets, low bridges, or limited parking? A large 26′ truck might be challenging to maneuver or park in urban areas.
5. Budget: Larger trucks generally come with higher rental rates and consume more fuel. Factor in fuel costs, mileage charges, and potential insurance.
6. Towing Needs: If you plan to tow your personal vehicle behind the moving truck, ensure the truck size you select is compatible with U-Haul’s car carriers or tow dollies. Most 10′ trucks and larger can tow.
7. Packing Efficiency: How well you pack can impact how much fits. Disassembling furniture, using uniform box sizes, and packing tightly can save space.

Tips for Optimizing Your U-Haul Truck Choice

• Use U-Haul’s Online Estimators: U-Haul’s website provides excellent tools that ask about the number of rooms and types of items to suggest an appropriate truck size. Use them!
• Err on the Side of Slightly Larger: If you’re debating between two sizes, it’s almost always better to go with the slightly larger one. Having a little extra space is far less stressful than realizing you don’t have enough.
• Consider Packing Supplies: Don’t forget that boxes, packing materials, and moving blankets also take up space. Factor these into your volume estimates.
• Rent Dollies and Hand Trucks: While not directly related to truck size, having the right equipment (appliance dollies, utility dollies) makes loading and unloading much more efficient, regardless of truck size.
• Check for Ramps: If you have heavy items, confirm that your chosen truck size comes with a loading ramp. Most 10′ trucks and larger do, but it’s good to verify.

Beyond the Truck: Other U-Haul Offerings

While trucks are central, U-Haul also provides a comprehensive suite of moving solutions. This includes various trailers (cargo, utility, car trailers), moving supplies (boxes, tape, blankets, bubble wrap), and even self-storage units. These additional services can complement your truck rental, ensuring all aspects of your move are covered.

U-Haul Truck Size & Estimated Pricing Table

Please note: U-Haul rental prices are highly variable and depend on location, availability, demand, time of year, duration of rental, and whether it’s a local or one-way move. The prices below are estimates for local daily rentals and base estimates for one-way, subject to mileage charges. Always get a direct quote from U-Haul for accurate pricing.

Truck Size	Ideal For	Approx. Local Daily Rate (Base)	Approx. Per-Mile Rate	Typical One-Way Base Rate (Est.)	Key Features
8′ Pickup Truck	Small hauls, single items, dump runs	$19.95 – $29.95	$0.99 – $1.29	N/A (Local Only)	Open bed, easy to drive
9′ Cargo Van	Studio/dorm, small local deliveries	$19.95 – $29.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$80 – $150	Enclosed, good fuel economy, no ramp
10′ Truck	Studio to 1-Bedroom Apartment	$19.95 – $29.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$120 – $250	Low deck, ramp (often), easy to maneuver, can tow
15′ Truck	1-2 Bedroom Home/Apartment	$29.95 – $39.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$200 – $400	Walk-in ramp, low deck, most popular, can tow
17′ Truck	2-3 Bedroom Home	$39.95 – $49.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$300 – $550	Walk-in ramp, slightly larger than 15′, can tow
20′ Truck	3-4 Bedroom Home	$39.95 – $49.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$400 – $700	Large capacity, walk-in ramp, can tow
26′ Truck	4+ Bedroom Home, Large Commercial Moves	$39.95 – $59.95	$0.99 – $1.29	$500 – $900+	Largest capacity, wide ramp, heavy-duty, can tow

Disclaimer: Prices are highly variable and are for illustrative purposes only. Always obtain a direct quote from U-Haul.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about U-Haul Truck Sizes

Q1: What if I choose the wrong size U-Haul truck?
A1: If you choose too small, you might have to make multiple trips, incurring more fuel and mileage costs, or leave items behind. If too large, you pay more for unused space and potentially higher fuel consumption. It’s best to err on the side of slightly larger to avoid these issues.

Q2: Do all U-Haul trucks have ramps?
A2: Most U-Haul box trucks (10′, 15′, 17′, 20′, 26′) are equipped with a low-deck loading and a walk-in ramp for easier loading and unloading. The 8′ pickup truck and 9′ cargo van do not typically have ramps.

Q3: What kind of driver’s license do I need to drive a U-Haul truck?
A3: For any U-Haul truck (up to 26 feet), a standard valid driver’s license (Class D in most states) is sufficient. You do not need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, you must be at least 18 years old to rent.

Q4: Are there mileage limits on U-Haul truck rentals?
A4: For local rentals, there is typically a base rate plus a per-mile charge for all miles driven. For one-way rentals, a certain number of miles are usually included in the base rate, with an additional charge for any miles over that allowance. Always clarify mileage terms when booking.

Q5: Can I tow my car with any U-Haul truck?
A5: Most U-Haul box trucks (10′ and larger) are designed with the capability to tow a car using a U-Haul auto transport or tow dolly. The 8′ pickup and 9′ cargo van are not designed for vehicle towing. Always ensure your vehicle’s weight is within the towing capacity of the truck.

Q6: What’s included in the U-Haul rental price?
A6: The base rental price typically covers the truck for the agreed-upon duration and a certain number of miles for one-way rentals. It does not include fuel, mileage overages (for one-way), environmental fees, taxes, or optional insurance coverage.

Conclusion

Navigating the various U-Haul truck sizes might seem daunting at first, but with a clear understanding of your moving needs and the options available, it becomes a straightforward process. By accurately assessing your belongings, considering the distance of your move, and factoring in practical considerations like access and budget, you can confidently select the perfect Size Uhaul Trucks to ensure your belongings arrive safely and efficiently. Remember, a well-chosen truck is the foundation of a stress-free moving experience. Plan smart, pack well, and enjoy the journey to your new home!