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Do you want an automatic or a manual transmission? Most do-it-yourself movers prefer an automatic transmission. Larger trucks require a five-speed transmission, some with two-speed differentials and sometimes a three-speed auxiliary transmission. In theory, these vehicles have 30 potential gears. Intimidating! Automatic transmissions do most of the thinking for you.
Gas or diesel? If you've never driven a diesel vehicle, stick with gasoline-powered trucks. It's not that diesel-powered trucks are trickier; they're just a little different to drive. Starting them requires that you wait a few seconds for the glow plugs to warm up the engine's combustion chambers. Diesel trucks also differ in other ways from gasoline trucks, and you probably have enough adventure in your life that you don't also need to master diesel trucking. The advantage to diesel is that fuel costs will probably be less for a diesel truck than for a gas one. The cost difference isn't significant, but it does make diesel trucks a better option for those who have experience with them. Even if your move is just across town, it may be more efficient to rent a truck that will hold everything in one trip. When you compare costs, remember to add in fuel—and remember that your time is valuable. It's more exhausting to make several trips than to pack up one truck and get all your stuff at your new home in one trip. Making several trips rather than one or two may even mean that you end up paying for a second day's rental on the truck. Moving Tips When you are figuring costs, be sure to include the cost of fuel for your rental truck. If you ask the rental agent how much mileage the truck gets, be sure to specify that you want to know what the mileage is when the truck is loaded. Just to be safe, increase the figure a bit more when you make your calculations. You may be able to move out of a condominium or apartment using a small truck, up to about ten feet in length. This truck should hold the furniture from a small dwelling, plus about 15 boxes of personal items. The contents of a one- or two-bedroom home of up to about 1,200 square feet can usually be loaded onto a 14- or 15-foot truck, with room for furniture, appliances, and about 35 boxes. If you are moving out of a two- or three-bedroom home of up to 1,600 square feet, you will probably require a 17- or 18-foot truck, allowing for about 50 boxes in addition to large items. A three- or four-bedroom home of up to 2,000 square feet will require a truck of about 24 feet to hold furniture, appliances, yard gear, and garage items, as well as about 70 boxes. If the home you are leaving is a four-bedroom home of more than 2,000 square feet, you will want to rent a truck of at least 26 feet to hold everything, including as many as 120 boxes of personal and household items. Share:                
                         
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