What Size Truck Do I Need When Moving House?
What size truck do you need when moving furniture? Here's a basic guideline of the truck sizes you'll need when moving house, apartment and more.
The size of the truck you'll need when moving house depends on several factors, including the amount of furniture and belongings you have, how far you're moving, and whether you’ll be able to make multiple trips.
I’ve moved a fair few times in my life and have used both a moving truck and our own ute (and multiple trips) and let me tell you - the moving truck was by far the smartest choice for us! Driving back and forth with ute-loads of stuff was hectic, stressful and annoying!
But what size truck do you need when moving house? Here’s a general guide based on the size of your home and the volume of items you're moving:
Small Vans (HiAce)
- 5-11 cubic metres
- Ideal for local moves and making plenty of back and forths
3-Tonne Trucks
- 10-15 cubic metres
- These are also more suitable for local moves or for small apartment moves
4.5-Tonne Trucks
- 20-25 cubic metres
- Ideal for medium sized moves (two-bedrooms)
6 to 8-Tonne Trucks
- 25-30 cubic metres
- Suitable for three or four-bedroom houses
8- to 10-Tonne Trucks
- 35-50 cubic metres
- Ideal for four to five bedroom homes
10- to 12-Tonne Trucks:
- 45-60 cubic metres.
- These jumbo machines are the big weights of the transport industry and often used for multiple smaller loads or for large house moves and industrial moves.
Moving Truck Vs Self-Pack Container or Self-Pack Pod
Hiring a truck or a removalist with a truck is only one option you have. There’s actually a few much more affordable ways to move (and not just begging your mates to do 800 loads back and forth).
One option you have is a self-pack move. We also call these container transport moves or You Pack Removals. Shipping container transport can actually be cheaper than hiring a moving truck and comes with plenty of advantages including flexibility and of course, price.
A 20 ft container can hold around 33 cubic metres, so this is equivalent to an 8 tonne truck.
How many cubic metres in a 40ft container?
A 40 ft container can hold around 67 cubic metres which is a pretty decent amount. If you do have a lot of stuff to move, the 40ft container is often your best choice, whether moving industrial goods or furniture.
Backload Removals
Another option you have when deciding on the right size truck when moving house is to look into backload removals. This system allows you to only book the amount of space you need on a truck that’s already travelling to and from your destination. If you are moving up or down the coast of Queensland, this is a really smart and common thing to do.
So, for example, you may have 15 cubic metres of stuff to move but you can put your belongings on a 12 tonne truck. You are only paying for the space you use but you are also sharing the space with other movers (kind of like a ride share service but for your belongings).
At Best Rated Transport, we can provide you with free quotes for both moving and removalists trucks as well as shipping container transport and backload removals.
FAQ: Small Apartment Moving Brisbane
Q: How do I move a small apartment in Brisbane?
Moving a small apartment in Brisbane is best handled by booking a 2-person removalist team with an appropriately sized truck. For a studio or 1-bedroom apartment, a small truck of 20 to 30 cubic metres is typically sufficient. Start by decluttering and packing non-essential items several weeks before move day, label all boxes clearly by room, and confirm access details at both properties including parking, lifts, and stair access with your removalist before the move date.
Q: How much does it cost to move a small apartment in Brisbane?
Moving a small apartment in Brisbane typically costs between $300 and $800 for a local move, depending on the distance between properties, the volume of items, and the number of removalists required. Most small apartment moves are completed within 2 to 4 hours at an hourly rate of $130 to $200 for a 2-person team. Additional costs may apply for heavy items, long carry distances, or packing assistance.
Q: What size truck do I need to move a small apartment in Brisbane?
For a studio apartment, a small truck of 15 to 20 cubic metres is usually sufficient. For a 1-bedroom apartment with standard furniture, a medium truck of 20 to 30 cubic metres is recommended. If you have additional items in storage or a large volume of boxes, upgrading to a larger truck avoids the need for multiple trips and keeps your total move cost down. Your removalist can advise on the right truck size once they have reviewed your inventory.
Q: How do I find affordable removalists for a small apartment move in Brisbane?
Visit bestratedtransport.com.au or call 1300 339 140 to compare 100+ verified Brisbane removalists offering small apartment moves, including budget-friendly 2-person teams, backloading options for moves with flexible timelines, and hourly rate services with no lock-in minimums beyond the standard 2-hour booking. Some removalists also offer discounted rates for small moves booked on weekdays, so it pays to compare availability across multiple dates. Free quotes, no credit card required.
Q: What are the best moving truck rental options for an interstate move from Townsville?
For interstate moves from Townsville, your main truck and transport options are: hiring a moving truck yourself (DIY), booking a full-service removalist (they bring the truck), or using a self-pack container (the most affordable truck-free alternative). Best Rated Transport helps you compare all three — free, instantly, at bestratedtransport.com.au or call 1300 339 140.
Q: Is hiring a moving truck the cheapest option for an interstate move from Townsville?
Not always. While truck hire looks affordable upfront, a Townsville interstate move involves significant hidden costs:
- Fuel across 1,400–2,800 km (depending on destination)
- Insurance for the hire vehicle and your contents
- Equipment — dollies, straps, packing blankets
- Accommodation en route if driving yourself
- Return travel (flights or car hire back if one-way)
For most Townsville interstate moves, backloading or self-pack container transport is cheaper and less stressful than a DIY truck hire.
Q: What size moving truck do I need for an interstate move from Townsville?
| Home Size | Estimated Volume | Recommended Truck Size |
|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bedroom | 10–15 m³ | 4–6 tonne truck |
| 2-bedroom | 15–25 m³ | 8 tonne truck |
| 3-bedroom | 25–35 m³ | 12 tonne truck |
| 4+ bedroom | 35 m³+ | Semi-trailer or container |
For moves above 25 m³, a self-pack container (20ft or 40ft) is often more cost-effective than truck hire across long distances.
Q: What is a self-pack container and how does it compare to truck hire for Townsville interstate moves?
A self-pack container is dropped at your Townsville property, you load it at your own pace, and a transport company moves it to your destination — no driving required. Compared to truck hire:
- No fuel costs — included in the transport quote
- No long-distance driving — you fly, they transport
- More flexibility — up to 30 days container access
- Basic insurance — included in most quotes
Best Rated Transport provides free self-pack container quotes alongside full-service removalist quotes so you can compare all options in one place.
Q: Can Best Rated Transport help if I want to hire a truck and need my car transported separately?
Yes. If you choose a DIY truck hire and need your vehicle moved to your destination independently, Best Rated Transport's network includes verified interstate car transport operators. You can arrange both your truck hire logistics and car transport through BRT — keeping everything coordinated in one place.
Q: What's the most cost-effective truck or transport option for a Townsville interstate move?
Based on distance and volume, here's how the main options compare for a typical 3-bedroom Townsville interstate move:
| Option | Estimated Cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| DIY truck hire | $1,800–$3,500 + fuel & extras | High |
| Backloading | $2,250–$4,030 | Low |
| Self-pack container | $2,500–$4,500 | Medium |
| Full-service removalist | $4,200–$6,200 | Minimal |
For most movers, backloading delivers the best value without the effort and risk of driving a large truck interstate.
Q: How do I get the best rate on moving truck or transport options from Townsville?
Compare multiple options simultaneously at bestratedtransport.com.au. Enter your move details once and receive instant quotes across full-service removalists, backloading, and self-pack container transport — with verified reviews and insurance details included. It's 100% free with no obligation to book.
.gif){kind=spacer}