experiences with moving trucks (U-haul Penske Ryder) (Budget, furniture, transport)

[LargeKingCat]

We are set to close on our house about 2 hours away at the end of this month. We will be moving from a small house( 4 people, 2 gerbils, 3 bedroom two bath) use to one over twice the size(4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, seperate dining living den office loft) . The old lady is going to go ahead and move into the new house, near her job, and I am going to keep the 2 kids here until school ends then we will go up.
I want to get a 10 foot truck March 1st and take the futon, her furniture, a TV her clothes, some of the household items we have already packed to the new place.
I want to sort out what is left and probably get rid of most. We will be ordering a new kingsize bed for our new house, a new bed and bedroom furniture for our oldest and new furniture for the living room. Probably sell off most of what is left, but will still have to take some our our junk up in June.
Most of our junk is 13 years old, and worn, so I am not to unhappy to ditch the sofa, loveseat etc is someone will buy it.
What is the best way to go with the truck in March, being that we should be able to fill a 10 footer?
In June, thinking about moving service depending on how it goes with the March move........
Has anyone used a moving service to move from one town to another?
THANKS

[RikkiTikki]

Before you make your truck reservations in March, you might want to determine the exact size of the items you intend ship.

A 10' vehicle only has 400 cu.ft./2800 lbs of capacity. Most normally appointed, three bedroom room family homes usually have somewhere between 1300 - 1500 cuft of household items, personal effects and accumulated junk inside.

If in referring to moving service you mean one of the popular DIY container moving options being heavily advertised now, some of the popular big name brands only licensed to operate interstate. Some companies with intrastate authority only operate within a specific commercial zone.

June is the busiest month in the movin' business. Few companies licensed by the Florida Dept. of Agriculture to operate as professional movers within the state will be willing to provide their own trained labor to a competing moving service during this critical capacity period.

[readytomovellc]

Generally speaking if you have up to a 3 bedroom house it will usually fit on one 24' truck, but if you have a lot of stuff then you might need to make multiple trips.

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[LargeKingCat]

for the first trip, it will be Futon with matress, one dresser, one small TV several boxes (as many as will fit) probably the outdoor table and plastic chairs Depending on size we may send the four wooden chairs and table up on the first run. We divied up the dishes and glassses and towels and such so those things willl go first. Each weekend when we get together we can transport more things in our cars.
We are going from around 1200 Sq ft to 2600 Sq Foot.
All the appliances in the new house are brand new so we will not have to take ours, they will be sold when we sell our house this summer .
we may sell our sofa and buy a new one. We are going to buy a kingsize bed but we will have that delivered to the new house there .

[PacificFlights]

You may want to read this, short and right to the point!
//www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-10-truck.html

[LargeKingCat]

yeah that iw a good point. We can fill up any size truck the first time We have to keep some things behind though, some of the dishes etc cookware
We are going to have to get a gun case/safe I would like to have it set up at the new house then take the rifles on one of the trips up this spring We will be seeing each other every weekend and I only have a few guns (Unless they bred and multiplied while in storage like the Christmas decorations did)

[LargeKingCat]

I reserved a 16 foot because it was same as a ten cost wise (Not including gas use)
Budget has a deal going
We will pick it up here and then drop it off there when we are done.
Unlimited miles.
First trip, futon/matress, dresser, tv, dining table (The kids and I will use the plastic one from outside for now) 4 chairs, buffet, lots of boxes taken out of storage, her clothes, some of the kids clothes toys and some of mine. 2 bookshelves, a drafting table.
Then in June whatever we have not sold or given away.

[BiscuitsNGravy]

For a better selection get there early.

Be aware.....When moving at the beginning or end of a month (BUSIEST DAYS) moving vehicles wont get proper maintenance. (check brakes and steering) Make sure you WRAP and SEAL all items. (pest, ie Bedbugs )

[chanda3]

i will be moving to olympia, wa from charleston, sc. i only need a small (10') truck to move my stuff. my problem is i have 2 medium size dogs and a cat. i think my cat will be ok in the back of the truck, but i'm not sure about my dogs. does anyone know which truck has the biggest cab, ryder, penske, u-haul or budget? thanks!

[schiphol]

Originally Posted by LargeKingCat

I reserved a 16 foot because it was same as a ten cost wise (Not including gas use)
Budget has a deal going
We will pick it up here and then drop it off there when we are done.
Unlimited miles.
First trip, futon/matress, dresser, tv, dining table (The kids and I will use the plastic one from outside for now) 4 chairs, buffet, lots of boxes taken out of storage, her clothes, some of the kids clothes toys and some of mine. 2 bookshelves, a drafting table.
Then in June whatever we have not sold or given away.

How did your experience with Budget go? I am debating using Budget or one of the other moving companies. I was lured by Budget's low prices but I have read horror stories about surprise fees and charges. Any advice will be appreciated.