Fall has begun and winter is on its way! This is a big month for life changes, and it can often be good to take a step back and think about your moving and storage needs. Moving trucks and storage go hand in hand, but it’s often confusing trying to compare the size of the vehicle with the size you’ll need to store your belongings. Picking the right vehicle for your move can save both gas and time, so what size do you need?
- Pick-up trucks or cargo vans are good for a studio or 1-bedroom move, small furniture, or boxes. While they may be cheaper initially, numerous trips can waste precious time and add to your fuel costs. A storage unit that can hold a pick-up truck’s worth of goods can generally be stored in a 5×10 or 10×10, but if there are boxes or furniture that can stack you can maximize the limited space.
- Medium trucks are better for 1–2 bedrooms, or for small apartments. You’ll be able to load more into the vehicle which means fewer trips. With this much to store, a 10×20 or 10×30 will probably work best.
- Large trucks are best for 3+ bedrooms, large homes, or full-house moves. While it often has a higher cost per day, making the fewest trips can be a life saver. If you have this much to store, you may need to look for a 10×40, or even a few smaller 10x20s and split the contents.
When in doubt, always go a little bigger than you think you need. While the big names (U-Haul, Enterprise, Penske, and Budget) are generally solid for local and long range moves, don’t be afraid to look at the smaller rental truck facilities in your area to find the best deals. Get a few quotes to compare. Look at the reviews on the rental facility, and be sure to check if they have a return location near your destination. If they don’t, ask about one-way availability.
Insurance is a big topic these days, and while it’s easy to shrug it off as an unnecessary expense, the cost to replace or repair damaged vehicles (and even your belongings) can be a large hassle. Even if your things are going straight into storage, check to see the insurance options that can cover your stored goods. Ask your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider to see if you are covered for storage, and if they are lacking at all it may be worth it to go for supplementary coverage in case the unexpected occurs.