You've given your notice to move. Now you can get down to the business of preparing for the move. One of the most frequently asked questions is the size of the vehicle you need to transport your furniture and boxes. How can you be sure of choosing a removal van that will hold all your belongings? What criteria should you take into account when deciding on the size of truck to rent? Les Gentlemen du Déménagement can help you choose the right truck for your needs.
Before choosing a truck for your move, start by assessing your needs!
Find out more which truck to choose for your next moveYou must first estimate the volume represented by your furniture and the boxes to be moved.
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There are several ways to calculate the volume of your belongings:
- the good old mathematical method, admittedly a little tedious: height x width x depth ;
- the use of online calculators to estimate a global volume by specifying the furniture and boxes you have;
- the technique of calculating ratios based on the volume of a dwelling: this extrapolation valuation method is based on averages observed during past moves.
Whatever method you use to estimate the volume of your belongings to be moved, remember to adopt a safety margin to avoid having to make several trips, especially if you're moving far from your home base.
What size truck should I rent for my move?
There are a number of different truck sizes available to hire for your move. They differ in size and, above all, in their internal storage capacity expressed in cubic meters (m3).
A van for moving a studio or T1 apartment
This is the smallest utility model available for rental for a move. With a storage capacity of 10 to 12m3, a van is generally sufficient to move a small Studio or F1 apartment of less than 30 m2.
Which truck to use to move a T2 apartment
If you're moving a one-bedroom apartment or a home smaller than 50 m2, you can choose a small truck. With a volume of 20 to 23m3, you can generally fit between 120 and 150 boxes. This type of truck is widely used for removals. It can be driven with a category B driving license, making it accessible to most people.
A large van to move a T3 or T4
With an average capacity of 27m3, this type of truck is most often used to move T3 or T4 apartments. It can hold up to 200 boxes, and is accessible to drivers holding a "B" driving license.
A 5- or 10-tonne truck for larger moves
Given their imposing size and weight, these trucks require a HGV license, which restricts their use.
Concerning storage capacity :
- a 5-ton truck can hold a volume of 30 to 40m3;
- a 10-tonne truck can transport a volume of 50m3.
Please note: if access to your home is restricted (narrow street, gate, etc.), you may need to use a transfer vehicle. You'll need to allow extra time and manpower for loading.
Moving truck size chart
| Housing type | Truck capacity | Storage volume (m³) | Approximate number of cartons | Permit required | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio ou T1 (< 30 m²) | Truck | 10 to 12 m³ | - | B license | Ideal for small apartments |
| T2 (< 50 m²) | Small truck | 20 to 23 m³ for | 120 à 150 | B license | Widely used for medium-sized moves |
| T3 or T4 | Large van | 27 m³ | Up to 200 | B license | Suitable for medium to large apartments |
| Major moves | Trucks (5 tons) | 30 to 40 m³ for | - | Truck license (C) | Used for large moves |
| Major moves | Trucks (10 tons) | 50 m³ | - | Truck license (C) | Used for very large moves |
Choosing the right removal truck: other criteria
Note also that some rental models are equipped with a practical tailgate for loading heavy items such as a washing machine or refrigerator.
For a refrigerator, you should also consider the height of the truck, to avoid laying the appliance on its side. The same applies to wine cellars.
When should you choose a chauffeur-driven truck for your move?
To make up for difficulties with permits, and for those on a tight budget, Les Gentlemen du Déménagement offers you the option of renting a truck with driver. With this option, you take care of packing and loading at the point of departure, then unload your belongings yourself at the point of arrival. In the meantime, one of our drivers drives the truck to transport the goods.
This chauffeur-driven truck rental service allows you to pay less for your move and get the truck you need without the hassle of driving. This low-cost service has no size or distance limits. You get professional equipment and a fully equipped vehicle for a move at your own pace and in complete safety. It's a good solution if you're going far away and have a large volume of personal belongings to move, but don't have a HGV license.
The size of our trucks is adapted to your needs to help you move with peace of mind.
To avoid having to choose a truck, entrust your move to us!
If you want to be sure of having a truck adapted to your needs, without having to calculate the volume of your goods to be moved, the easiest way is still to choose a traditional moving formula.
In addition to the rental of a truck with driver, Les Gentlemen du Déménagement offers 4 levels of services to best suit your budget and expectations:
- Dynamic: with this formula, you pack and we transport ;
- Comfort: with the Comfort package, we take care of fragile objects;
- Confort Plus: all your furniture is packed by us and we take care of unpacking fragile items;
- Grand Confort: you don't have to worry about a thing. Our teams take care of packing, protecting furniture, loading and unloading, and transporting all your belongings.
For each of these services, we schedule an appointment for a preliminary technical visit to estimate the volume of your belongings to be moved, so that we can draw up an estimate. So you don't have to worry about choosing the right size of truck for your move. We do it for you, whether you need a removal truck in Lyon, a removal truck in Paris, a removal truck in Marseille, or in other cities.
If you'd like to find out more about our different moving packages and get a quote, please contact us.