Your Guide on Moving With a Pickup Truck

Planning to use a pickup truck for your next DIY move? From college students moving into a dorm to singles moving to a studio apartment, pickup trucks are a smart, money-saving solution for those embarking on a small, local move. For more information about moving with a pickup truck and how to find one for rent near you, read our tips below. Here are 5 useful tips for moving with a pickup truck.

Make sure all boxes are sealed shut

Load heavier items first

Load lighter boxes towards the back and in the middle

Strap furniture and boxes down

Cover the back of the truck

What are the pros and cons of using a pickup truck to move?

There are several advantages to using a pickup truck to move – especially if your move is a small one (think: a studio apartment, college dorm room or one-bedroom home). You should be able to fit most basics on the back of the truck, including a couch, miscellaneous moving boxes and various tools and equipment. Many pickup trucks are also large enough to fit a twin, full or queen size mattress on the cargo bed. Pickup trucks are also easier to park than large box moving trucks. This is especially true when moving in a busy city with limited parking spaces. For small, local moves, where you only need to move several boxes and essentials, a pickup truck is a convenient option.

However, there are drawbacks to using a pickup truck rental as opposed to a cargo van or box truck rental. For one, pickup trucks are obviously smaller than other truck rental options. You won’t be able to fit as many items in the cargo bed. In order to move all of your belongings, you may need to do several trips back and forth. In addition, pickup trucks aren’t covered, so you’ll need make sure you’re moving on a sunny day or use some sort of waterproof covering. Otherwise, your belongings could up end up drenched and ruined. Tie downs will also be necessary, so that your belongings don’t fly out of the truck and onto the road.

In summary, pickup trucks aren’t the most efficient way to move when transporting more than one-bedroom’s worth of belongings. We recommend only using pickup trucks for small, local moves.

Where can I find a pickup truck rental?

You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a pickup truck rental near you. Both U-Haul and Enterprise Truck Rental offer pickup trucks for rent to customers for DIY moving jobs. These truck rental companies are located nationwide, making them easy to find and easy to rent. U-Haul offers customers one pickup truck option. The pickup truck rental is eight feet long with a max load of 1,897 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The truck can comfortably seat three people. Enterprise Truck Rental offers three different pickup trucks for rent, including the ½ ton pickup truck, the ¾ ton pickup truck and the one-ton pickup truck. The ½ ton pickup truck can hold up to 2,000 pounds and is capable of seating up to six people. The ¾ ton pickup truck can hold up to 4,000 pounds and is capable of seating up to six people. The one-ton pickup truck can hold up to 6,000 pounds and is capable of seating up to six people.

How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck?

The cost of renting a pickup truck varies greatly depending on the length of time you wish to rent the truck and your moving logistics. Those looking to rent a pickup truck for a short, local one-way move can expect to pay less than someone moving long distance with different pickup and drop-off points.

What else can I use a pickup rental truck for besides moving?

Pickup trucks aren’t just for moving. In fact, you can rent a pickup truck for a number of jobs. Several examples include towing another vehicle; towing a boat; transporting tools, home improvement and construction materials; moving fishing equipment and other recreational equipment.

Ready to rent a pickup truck or other moving truck for moving?

For more information and discounts on various rental truck companies, such as Penske, U-Pack and Budget, check out Moving.com’s truck rental center. For those interested in hiring moving labor professionals to help with the loading and unloading process, check out our moving labor search engine powered by HireAHelper. This online marketplace helps those moving locate and book labor professionals in the area. These professional movers are either labor-only moving companies that specialize in load and unload services, or full-service moving companies that send workers out on labor-only moving jobs. Best of luck and happy moving!