Moving Truck Too Small? What to Do Now

If your moving truck is too small, the first thing to do is stop loading and assess what’s left versus what you can safely carry in your personal vehicle. Then, you have three practical options: rent a second smaller truck or trailer, make an additional trip with the same truck, or hire a moving labor company to transport the overflow. This article explains each option in detail, how to avoid the problem in the first place, and what to do if you’re already on the road.

Formula

The calculator above estimates the extra time and miles you’ll add if you make multiple trips with the same truck. The formula is:

Extra driving time = total trip time × (number of trips – 1)

Extra miles = one-way distance × 2 × (number of trips – 1)

Where:

• Total trip time (hours) – the time for one one-way trip, including loading and unloading.
• Number of trips – how many times you’ll drive from origin to destination.
• One-way distance (miles) – the distance between your old and new home.

The “extra” values represent the additional time and miles you’ll incur beyond the first trip. This helps you decide whether an extra trip is worth the fuel cost and time.

Worked Example

Using the default values: total trip time = 4 hours, number of trips = 2, one-way distance = 15 miles.

Extra driving time = 4 × (2 – 1) = 4 × 1 = 4 hours.

Extra miles = 15 × 2 × (2 – 1) = 30 × 1 = 30 miles.

So if you make two trips instead of one, you’ll drive an extra 30 miles and spend an additional 4 hours (including loading/unloading). The calculator shows the same result.

Why Trucks End Up Too Small

Most people underestimate the volume of their belongings. A one-bedroom apartment can fill a 10-foot truck, but only if you pack efficiently. Common culprits:

• Mattresses and box springs that eat vertical space.
• Wardrobes and dressers that are wider than the truck’s door.
• Garage items like lawnmowers, bikes, and tools that add bulk.
• Books and heavy boxes that stack poorly.

Rental companies base truck sizes on “room count” but that assumes you’re moving typical furniture, not collections or bulky items. Always measure your largest pieces and estimate cubic feet before booking.

Immediate Steps When You Realize the Truck Is Too Small

If you’re mid-load, follow these steps:

1. Stop loading – don’t force items in; that can damage furniture or the truck.
2. List what’s left – separate items you absolutely need immediately (documents, meds, clothes) from things you can delay.
3. Check the truck’s load capacity – the door sticker shows max weight. Overloading is unsafe and can cause a blowout.
4. Contact the rental company – ask if a larger truck is available. Many companies will swap if you haven’t left the lot.
5. If no larger truck exists, decide: rent a trailer, make a second trip, or hire movers for the overflow.

Option 1: Rent a Second Truck or Trailer

If you have a vehicle that can tow, a small utility trailer (5×8 or 6×12) can carry boxes, bikes, and lawn equipment. You’ll need to ensure your vehicle’s towing capacity is sufficient—check the owner’s manual. If you don’t have a tow hitch, you can rent a cargo van or a small box truck for the overflow. This is often cheaper than a second full-size truck, and you avoid driving the big truck twice.

Cost consideration: A trailer rental is usually less than $50 per day, while a second truck can be $100–$200. But factor in fuel for the extra vehicle.

Option 2: Make an Additional Trip

If your move is local (under 50 miles), driving back for the rest is often the simplest. Use the calculator above to estimate the extra time and miles. For example, a 30-mile round trip extra costs about 1 hour and 60 miles of fuel. That may be cheaper than renting another vehicle.

But if the move is long-distance, an extra trip is rarely worth it. In that case, ship the remaining items via freight or hire a moving company that handles partial loads.

Option 3: Hire Moving Labor for the Overflow

You can hire a local moving crew (by the hour) to load the remaining items into their own truck and deliver them. This is ideal for a few bulky pieces or a room’s worth of boxes. Get a written estimate based on volume and distance. This is often the fastest solution, though it can be the most expensive per item.

How to Avoid This Next Time

Prevention is easier than a mid-move crisis. Here’s how to choose the right truck size:

• Measure your stuff – multiply length × width × height for each major item to get cubic feet.
• Use an online volume calculator – many moving companies offer free cubic footage estimators.
• Add 20% buffer – for boxes and odd-shaped items.
• Ask the rental company – they have charts that map room count to truck size, but confirm with your measurements.
• Purge before you pack – donate or sell items you don’t need; less stuff means a smaller truck.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Mistake: Confusing weight with volume. A truck may have plenty of cubic feet but hit its weight limit with heavy items like books or tools. Always check the payload rating.

Mistake: Overpacking boxes. Boxes that are too heavy are hard to lift and can break. Keep each box under 50 pounds.

Misconception: “I’ll just stack things on the roof.” That’s unsafe and usually prohibited by rental agreements. Never tie items to the roof or bumper.

Misconception: “The truck is bigger on the inside.” No, it’s not. The cubic footage is real; you can’t cheat physics.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Overloading a moving truck is not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating can cause brake failure, tire blowouts, and poor steering. It can also void your rental insurance and lead to fines if you’re pulled over. Always check the door sticker for GVWR and payload. If you’re near the limit, redistribute weight or make a second trip.

Also, secure your load properly with straps and blankets. Loose items can shift during turns and damage the truck or your belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a moving truck with a regular driver’s license? Yes, for most rental trucks under 26,000 pounds GVWR. A standard Class C license is sufficient. If you’re renting a larger truck, check your state’s requirements.

What if I’m already on the road and realize the truck is too small? You have two choices: return to the origin and unload some items into a storage unit, or continue and have the rest shipped. Contact the rental company immediately; they may have a larger truck at a nearby location.

Can I tow my car behind the moving truck? Many rental trucks can tow a car with a tow dolly or trailer, but you must rent the equipment and ensure the combined weight is within limits. Check the rental agreement for towing policies.

Is it cheaper to rent a bigger truck than to make two trips? Usually, yes. A 16-foot truck costs only slightly more than a 10-foot truck, and the fuel cost is similar. The calculator above helps you see the extra trip cost.

What items are not allowed in a moving truck? Hazardous materials like propane tanks, paint, and cleaning chemicals are prohibited. Also, perishables, plants, and valuables like jewelry are best moved by you.

Can I leave items in the truck overnight? It’s not recommended due to theft risk. If you must, park in a well-lit area and lock the truck. Some rental companies require you to return the truck daily.

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in t | Total trip time (hours) | h | 4 | 0.1 | 24
in n | Number of trips | - | 2 | 1 | 10
in d | One-way distance (miles) | mi | 15 | 0 | 500
out extra | Extra driving time (hours) | h | t * (n - 1) | 1
out extra_mi | Extra miles driven | mi | d * 2 * (n - 1) | 0