MOVING GUIDE
How to Move Without a Truck: Five Options
Short answer
You do not need to own a truck to move. You can rent one and hire a crew to load it, book a portable container, use a cargo van for a small move, hire full-service movers, or ask us to bring a truck, quoted for your job.
Which of the five fits depends on how much you own, who you want behind the wheel and how flexible your dates are.
We are a moving-labor crew. We do the lifting, loading and unloading in the Raleigh area, and the rest of the move is up to you. That makes us a good fit for the first two options, and we can also bring a truck on request. Here is how all five compare, so you can pick before you contact anyone.
The five options side by side
| Option | Who drives | Who loads | Timing | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent a truck, hire a crew | You | Our crew loads and unloads | Pick your own pickup and move times | Truck size, reservation time, a place to park it |
| Portable container | The container company | Our crew loads, or you do | Set by delivery and pick-up windows | Flat, level spot; permits; weight limits |
| Truck from us | Ask when you request a quote | Our crew | Set when you book | Tell us what you are moving and where |
| Cargo van or pickup | You | You, or a crew | You choose, but you may need several trips | Whether it all fits in one load |
| Full-service movers | The moving company | The moving company | Booked with that company | What the quote covers and what it leaves out |
Option 1: Rent a truck and hire a crew to load it
You reserve a truck sized to your home from U-Haul, Penske or Budget and drive it yourself. A crew does the lifting: we load it at your old place, unload it at the new one, or both. Our guide on hiring labor-only help for your own rental truck covers how that works.
Two things make this option work well. First, reserve the truck for a time when the crew is there, so nobody waits with a half-loaded truck. Second, pick a truck that is big enough. A truck that is too small turns one trip into two.
Option 2: Book a portable container
A container company drops a box in your driveway. You or a crew load it, and the company hauls it to your new home. You may not need to drive at all. PODS, U-Box, U-Pack and 1-800-PACK-RAT all work this way, and we are not affiliated with any of them.
What to know before you book:
- Size. PODS offers 8-, 12- and 16-foot containers. A U-Box holds about one and a half rooms, so bigger homes need several.
- Placement. U-Haul says a U-Box needs a spot that is flat, level and reachable by a forklift, and that you should check with your city or HOA. A U-Pack ReloCube needs a paved, level spot, not soft ground or grass.
- Timing. The company sets the delivery and pick-up windows. PODS says deliveries and pick-ups may happen any time after 7:00 a.m. Ask each company what it will promise before you plan your loading day around it.
- Weight. Containers have weight limits. PODS lists 4,200 to 5,200 pounds depending on size, and the bigger containers allow less.
A container loads differently from a truck, and the crew builds it in tight sections. Our container loading guide explains how, with each company's size and weight limits. You can also read about loading and unloading containers on our service page.
Option 3: Ask us to bring a truck
If you want a truck and do not want to rent one, ask. We can bring a truck on request, and we quote it for your job. We do not have a fixed truck price to share, because it depends on what you are moving and where.
Choose "I need you to bring a truck" on the quote form, or say so when Joey texts you back. He will ask what you are moving, how big the home is and where it is going, and tell you honestly whether a truck from us fits the job. Most of our customers rent their own truck or book a container, and either way works.
Option 4: A cargo van or pickup for a small move
For a studio, a few pieces of furniture or one room, a van or pickup can be enough. U-Haul lists both as ideal for small jobs. Its cargo van has an inside space of about 9'6" long, 5'7" wide and 4'8" high, with 246 cubic feet and a maximum load of 4,030 pounds. Its pickup holds 76 cubic feet and 2,280 pounds. U-Haul says all of these measurements are approximate.
Penske rents a high-roof cargo van with up to 404 cubic feet inside. Penske calls it a good size for large appliances and furniture or the contents of a studio apartment, and says it is not available for one-way rentals.
The catch is the trips. Every trip means loading, driving and unloading again, and a sofa, a mattress and a dresser can fill a van quickly. If you are not sure it all fits, list your biggest pieces in your quote request and Joey can talk it through with you. When in doubt, plan for the bigger vehicle.
Option 5: Full-service movers
Full-service movers bring their own truck and crew, and they can drive the whole move for you. If you want to hand over the entire job, this is the most hands-off choice. It is a different kind of company from ours. Our guide on moving labor versus full-service movers compares the two so you can see which fits.
What slows a truckless move down
Whichever way you go, the same few things catch people out.
- Parking the truck or container. A truck or container on the street may need a city permit. In Raleigh, reserved spaces go through Raleigh Parking and Right-of-Way Services. Check before moving day, not on it.
- A long carry. The farther the door is from where the vehicle sits, the longer every trip takes. A level spot close to the door saves time on every trip.
- The one big piece. A dresser, a sectional or a washer decides what the load looks like, and it goes in first. Tell whoever is helping about it up front.
- Stairs and tight corners. Mention them when you ask for help so the crew and the time estimate match the real job.
What to send when you ask for a quote
Not sure which option fits? Pick "not sure" for transportation on the form and describe your move. Send:
- Your town or ZIP for each stop, and the date or "flexible."
- Whether you need loading, unloading or both.
- What you have: a truck, a container, a van, or nothing yet.
- Stairs, heavy items and anything unusual in the notes.
Joey texts you back, you agree on the plan, and then the date is booked. Sending the form does not hold a date, and there is no payment to request a quote. What our labor costs is on the moving cost page.