Renting a truck and moving yourself can save real money, but only if the rental goes the way you planned. We load and unload rental trucks every week, and most of the problems we see come from the same few things: the wrong size, a rushed pickup, and charges nobody mentioned when the truck was booked. Here's how to rent a moving truck the smart way.
1. Book earlier than you think
Trucks run out first on the busiest days: weekends, the last few days of the month and the first day of the month, when leases turn over. In summer, popular sizes can be gone a couple of weeks ahead.
- Book as soon as you have your date. Two to four weeks ahead is comfortable; in late June, July and August, go earlier.
- If your dates are flexible, a mid-week, mid-month move is usually easier to book and often cheaper.
- Ask whether your reservation guarantees a specific truck size and pickup location. Some bookings only promise "a truck" near you.
2. Pick the right size the first time
Too small means a second trip, which costs you time, fuel and more kilometres. Too big means paying for space you don't use and driving a truck that's harder to park. As a rough guide:
- Cargo van or 10-foot truck: a studio, a dorm room or a few big items.
- 15-foot: a one-bedroom or a small two-bedroom.
- 20-foot: a two- to three-bedroom home.
- 26-foot: three bedrooms and up, or a house with a full garage.
Our full truck size chart covers the things that push you up a size, like a sectional, a garage full of tools or a storage locker.
3. Know what the quote leaves out
The daily rate is only part of the price. Before you book, ask about each of these:
- Distance charges. Local rentals usually add a fee for every kilometre you drive. Estimate your trips (including the drive to pick up and return the truck) so the total doesn't surprise you.
- Fuel. Most trucks must come back with the same fuel level they left with, or you pay a refuelling charge that's often higher than the pump price.
- Damage protection. Your car insurance or credit card may not cover a large truck. Check before you decline the rental company's coverage.
- Equipment. Dollies, furniture pads and straps are often extra. Reserve them with the truck so they're there on the day.
- Time. Ask what happens if you're late returning it. A move that runs long can quietly add a day.
- One-way vs in-town. Moving to another city is usually priced as a one-way rental with a set number of days and kilometres. Ask what you pay if you go over.
Pro tip: Most of the bill on a DIY move isn't the truck; it's the hours the truck sits while you load. The faster it's loaded, the less you pay in time and stress.
4. Do a five-minute pickup check
This is the step most people rush, and it's the one that protects your deposit. Before you drive away:
- Walk around the truck and take photos or a video of every scratch, dent and crack, including the roof edge and the cargo box.
- Photograph the fuel gauge and odometer.
- Open the back. Check that the ramp slides out and locks, the door rolls up and down, and the tie-down rails are there.
- Make sure the pads, dolly and straps you paid for are actually in the truck.
- Check the mirrors, lights and wipers. You'll want all three if you finish loading after dark.
5. Drive it like a truck, not a car
- Know your height. It's written on the truck, often above the windshield. Avoid drive-throughs, low parkades and low-hanging branches.
- Swing wide on right turns and give yourself far more room to stop, especially when it's loaded.
- Back up with a spotter. The blind spots are huge. Have someone outside the truck guide you.
- Plan your parking. Figure out where the truck will sit at both ends before move day. Condos and apartments often have a loading zone or rules about trucks; see our condo moving guide.
6. Load it so nothing shifts
A badly loaded truck is how furniture gets damaged on a perfectly good drive. Put the heaviest things at the front against the cab, stand mattresses and sofas along the walls, build tight tiers from floor to ceiling, and strap each section as you go. We wrote a full step-by-step guide on how to load a moving truck.
7. Return it the way you got it
- Refuel to the level in your pickup photo.
- Sweep out the cargo area and take every piece of tape and paper out of the cab.
- Return pads and dollies folded and counted.
- Take a final set of photos and keep your receipt until the deposit is back.
When renting isn't worth it
Renting makes the most sense for small, simple moves with willing helpers. It gets harder to justify when you have stairs at both ends, heavy items like a piano, gun safe or treadmill, a tight timeline, or nobody free to help. For an honest look at the trade-offs, see hire movers or rent a truck?
There's also a middle option a lot of people don't know about: you rent the truck, and a crew does only the loading and unloading. You keep the savings of a rental and skip the heavy lifting. That's our loading and unloading service.
Quick answers
How far ahead should I book a moving truck?
Two to four weeks is usually enough. For a summer move, or any date near the end or start of the month, book as soon as you know your date, because popular sizes sell out first.
Do I need a special licence to drive a moving truck?
No. The moving trucks rental companies offer to the public are made to be driven with a regular driver's licence. Check the company's age and licence rules when you book, and remember the truck is taller and heavier than anything you normally drive.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
For a small move with good helpers, renting is often cheaper. Once you add kilometres, fuel, equipment, damage coverage and a full day of your time, the gap shrinks. See our honest comparison.
Can I hire people just to load my rental truck?
Yes. Many movers, including us, offer loading and unloading only: you rent and drive the truck, and the crew does the lifting, padding and tying down.
