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What Fits in a Moving Truck? – Moving Truck Height and Types

What Fits in a Moving Truck? Moving Truck Height and Types
Reading time: 5 minutes

Moving, a journey laden with excitement and anticipation, is a chapter in life where every detail matters. At the heart of this transition lies an unsung hero – the moving truck. These robust vehicles are the backbone of relocations worldwide, ensuring that dreams find their new homes seamlessly.

What Fits in a Moving Truck?

Join us as we explore the pivotal role of moving trucks in the moving industry. If you’re considering renting a truck and moving independently, this article is tailor-made for you. Understanding the wheels of transition is the key to a smooth and successful journey in the moving world.

What is the Capacity of a Moving Truck?

Understanding a moving truck’s capacity can help you plan your move more efficiently and avoid unnecessary stress. Let’s delve into the factors determining how much can fit in a moving truck.

Smaller trucks, like the 16 and 20-foot trucks, can be useful for moving certain items. They are great for transporting belongings from smaller 1-bedroom apartments. The problem arises with sectional sofas. Big and sectional sofas can’t fit vertically or horizontally, and that’s a problem when it comes to smaller moving trucks.

Truck sizeFits
16 Ft1-bedroom apartment
17 Ft2-bedroom apartment
20 Ft3-bedroom apartment
22 Ft3-bedroom house 
24 FtSmall 4-bedroom house Large 3-bedroom house
26 FtRegular 4-bedroom house
  • Please bear in mind that the information provided in this table is only for educational purposes. Every move is a unique experience unto itself. Your move is a unique story because everyone has items of different sizes and quantities.
Capacity of a Moving Truck

What is the Height Clearance of a Moving Truck?

Let’s imagine the most realistic scenario: you’re moving to a new place and mainly rely on Google Maps, as most of us do nowadays with our mobile phones. However, we wouldn’t recommend using Google Maps when driving a moving truck.

These maps are designed for car navigation and may not be entirely suitable for trucks. Instead, it’s much better to explore some of the maps specifically tailored for truck driving and follow those routes.

The exact height clearance of a moving truck can vary, but a common standard for many rental trucks, such as U-Haul, is around 11 feet. It’s crucial to check the specifications of the specific truck you’re using, as different models may have slightly different height clearances.

Regarding our trucks, clearance is around 12 to 13 feet, varying from building to building. The table below provides some average dimensions and information to give you a better overview.

Clearance Height by Truck Size

Truck Size     Clearance Height
16 Ft11′ 6″
17 Ft12′
20 F13′
22 Ft13′ 6″
24 Ft13′ 6″
26 Ft13′ 6″
the Height Clearance of a Moving Truck

26' Moving Truck Features - Your Safest Choice

This type of truck is your best choice because it’s the largest, which can accommodate most items at once and is quite suitable for driving and transportation.

26’ trucks are compact enough to navigate through the city and traffic yet sufficiently large to accommodate up to 10,000 lbs or 1,200-1,800 cubic feet of inventory.

How many pounds (lbs) can fit into a 26ft box truck will vary depending on your inventory. However, it’s essential to consider whether your boxes are appropriately stacked, how many bulky items you are moving, etc. A piano or an oversized dresser would fit in this type of truck.

Regarding moving trucks, we are happy to say that all our trucks are 26′ (26 feet) straight box trucks. We have various brands like Freightliner, Mack, Hino, and International. Our trucks have the following features:

  • Up to 10,000 lbs. payload
  • Three-person seating
  • 26’x 102″ x 102″ box dimensions
  • Ramps or lift gates
  • Rear roll-up door
  • Some also have a side door 
  • Diesel engine – EPA-compliant, economical, fewer refueling stops
  • Dock high with reinforced body
  • State or provincial law may require a specific class or category of license

Be Careful

It’s not just about bridges – exercising caution extends beyond bridge clearance. In the realm of trucking, a vigilant approach encompasses a multitude of considerations beyond avoiding bridge collisions. Let’s delve into the broader spectrum of factors demanding careful attention on the road:

  • Fast food drive thru’s
  • Bank and ATM drive thru’s
  • Building awnings
  • Parking garages
  • Gas station canopies

Ramps vs. Lifts Gates- Weighing the Options

Zip has moving trucks with ramps and lift gates. Both options have advantages and perks. Ramps allow the moving crew to move in and out of the truck faster while carrying household goods. They make loading and unloading much faster and easier.

Lift gates, conversely, are best for loading and unloading heavy and bulky furniture, such as pianos, which movers can’t carry with their own hands.

Ramps vs. Lifts Gates of the moving truck

There is No Successful Relocation Without the Proper Moving Truck

These vehicles emerge as essential tools, bridging the gap between farewell and welcome.  A well-equipped and efficiently designed moving truck becomes more than just a conveyance; it transforms into a trusted partner, ensuring that belongings traverse state lines and city limits with the utmost care and precision. Regarding moving, the right truck isn’t just a means of transportation; it’s the cornerstone of a successful transition.

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