Sunday, March 10, 2013

Choosing The Right Rental Truck Size




Choosing your truck size:

The size of the vehicle depends on the amount of items that you have in your home. And while there are some companies that would assist you in choosing the right size truck, other won't do it. So what do you do? You want to be careful not to pick a truck size that is too small so that you items don't fit. You also don't want to pick a truck that is too big as you items will be sliding around and may become damaged. We have devised a way for you to get the truck size you need based on the items you have in your home.

Remember the golden rule, if you're ever unsure you should always defer to a larger truck size. This is especially true if you are relocating long distance and multiple trips is not an option. 

Rental Trucks for Small Moves 

  • Small rental trucks should be used primarily for local moves. Only consider renting a 10'-12' truck if you have a studio or small one bedroom apartment with minimal furniture.
  • Most small moving trucks have rear wheel wells that stick out and reduce the amount of flat cargo space.
  • You will likely find that a larger truck (see medium sizes below) costs the same or sometimes less than a small truck. This is because most companies don't have an extensive inventory of small trucks whereas they usually have a large inventory of medium trucks.
  • Fuel economy for small rental trucks tends to be 9-14 MPG.
RENTAL COMPANYTRUCK SIZESIZE of home
U-Haul10'Studio (Very Small)
Budget Truck10'Studio(Very Small)
Penske Truck12'Studio (Small)

Rental Trucks for Apartments and Small Homes
  • Moving trucks between 14'-17' are the most common sizes rented. They tend to be the most inexpensive trucks because of the quantity available.
  • Medium truck sizes are best used for 1-2 bedroom apartments as well as small homes. We typically don't recommend this size to anyone with more than 1200sqft of living space.
  • Fuel economy for medium rental trucks tends to be 8-11 MPG.

RENTAL COMPANYTRUCK SIZESIZE of home
U-Haul14' 1 Bedroom (Small)
Budget Truck16'2 Bedrooms (Medium)
Penske Truck16'2 Bedrooms (Medium)
U-Haul17'2 Bedrooms (Medium)

Rental Trucks for Single Family and Town Homes

  • With the exception of the 20' U-Haul, all of the trucks in this size range require diesel fuel. Remember to factor the cost difference of diesel fuel into your overall moving budget.
  • Larger rental trucks are best utilized for single family and town homes. If you have any doubt about whether or not your household goods can fit into a medium truck size you should always defer to this range.
  • Fuel economy for large rental trucks tends to be 4.5-6.5 MPG.

RENTAL COMPANYTRUCK SIZESIZE of Home
U-Haul20'1 to 3 Bedrooms (Large)
Penske Truck22'1 to 3 Bedrooms (Large)
Budget Truck24'3 to 4 Bedrooms (Large)
U-Haul26'4+ Bedrooms (Large)
Penske Truck26'4 + Bedrooms (Large)

Still Not Sure? 

We know choosing your rental truck size can be difficult, especially if your moving long distance. We leave you with some final tips and advice not otherwise covered in this blog:
  • If your moving locally this should be a no-brainer. Truck rentals used for local moves are billable at a per day and mileage rate, the daily price may vary by $10-$20 depending on the size. In other words, spend the extra few bucks and get the larger truck just to be sure.
  • If you plan to pack and load your moving truck by yourself or with help from your friends you should defer to a larger truck size. Professional movers are trained to maximize the overall space, whereas those not professionally trained may not be able to achieve the same level of efficiency. If you are concerned about space consumption consider hiring moving labor to properly load your truck.

Need assistance with Loading or Unloading your rental truck?


We offer labor only services and would be more than happy to professional pack or unpack your rental truck. 

Visit us at www.sunshinemovingcompany.com or call our office at 407-862-2217

















Tips For Packing Your Electronics

Tips for Packing Your Electronics






Packing electronic items can be very much challenging. Extra care should be taken while packing the electronic items. Since, these items are fragile and expensive, they need to be packed and handled carefully to minimize the risk of damage.
You should pack each electronic item in a box that is only slightly larger than the size of items itself. The more strongly fitting a box is, the more protected your electronic item will be. 

Basic Requirements
· User manual or guide.
· Original packaging box.
· Antistatic bubble wrap, peanuts.
· Small color-coded labels.
· Sealable bags.
· Markers, packing tapes.

Just read on the following tips to secure your electronic items while packing and transporting –

· Computers
oBackup all of your important data on a DVD, CD or Portable device.
oRefer to the user guide or manufacturing guide for disassembling instructions.
oBefore disconnecting any plugs or wires, mark the wire and the port you're removing it from, with the colored labels. Color aids in coding the cables and ports so that you can reconnect them later.
oOnce you have the wires disconnected, use twist ties to secure the wires, so they do not disentangle. Place the wires into a sealable bag and secure them with tape.
oIf you have the original packaging, including box, use that to pack the equipment. If you don't, acquire electronic specialty boxes directly from the manufacturer or from a moving company.
oRemove or disassemble all parts from the computer that can be disconnected.
oUse antistatic bubble wrap to cover each part one by one and secure ends with tape. Use a thick layer of bubble wrap to line the bottom of the box.
oPlace the largest piece of equipment on the bottom and smaller protected items on top of the box. Fill empty spaces and holes with antistatic packing materials like peanuts, inflatable bags, etc.
oAfter packing, seal the box with packing tape and mark it as “Fragile” and also indicate which end is up.

· Printers, Fax Machines and Copiers
oWhen packing printers (laser or ink jet), fax machines, and copiers, remove the toner or ink cartridges. For other types of printers, the printer head should be removed.
oAfter removing, place cartridges or head in a plastic bag and secure it with sealing tape.
oUse the original box for packing, or purchase a specialty box.

· Refrigerators
oRemove all contents, including freezer items.
oAfter removing, unplug the refrigerator and let the freezer defrost.
oWith a strong rope or cord, tie the doors of refrigerator by wrapping it around the fridge.
oIf you are unsure about moving it, hire professional movers. Since refrigerators are awkward and heavy, moving them incorrectly can cause permanent damage.

· Televisions
oFirst of all, make sure that all outside antennas have been disconnected.
oRefer to the user manual or guide to protect your TV in the best possible way.
oWrap the TV with padding or blanket carefully.
oIf you have the original packaging, including box, use that to pack the equipment.
oKeep the box in its upright position as you lift it, and also keep sharp objects away from the screen.

· Other Electronic Items
oRemove all parts from the electronic items that can be disconnected.
oWrap each part separately by using antistatic bubble wrap and secure ends with packing tape.
oIf you think that you will have trouble reconnecting the items, take a picture of the configuration. Use the picture as a reference while reconnecting all of the wires for your electronic items.
oPlace the wires into a sealable bag and tape it to the piece of equipment.
oPlace the item in the box and fill the empty space with antistatic packing materials. Whenever possible, pack electronics in their original box.
oSeal the box with packing tape.

Visit our website at www.sunshinemovingcompany.com