10-Foot U‑Haul Moving Truck Rental

The 10-foot truck is for small loads and tight spaces. It is the smallest box truck in the U-Haul lineup, and it handles more like a large pickup than a big moving truck. That makes it the first choice for renters who have never driven anything larger than an SUV.

It is a good match for:

• Studio apartments with a bed, a small sofa, a table and boxes.
• Light one-bedrooms where most things are boxed and the furniture is modest.
• Dorm and student moves at the start or end of a term.
• Single-item runs: a sofa from a marketplace listing, a mattress, a dresser.
• Small business errands: trade show gear, a few shelving units, inventory boxes.

If you have a full bedroom set, a sectional and a garage, the 15-foot truck is usually the safer pick.

A typical 10-foot load for a studio or light one-bedroom might look like this. Treat it as a picture of scale, not a promise, because furniture sizes vary widely. We confirm the current interior dimensions when you call.

• A queen bed with frame taken apart
• A two or three-seat sofa
• A small dresser and a nightstand
• A small dining table with two to four chairs
• A TV and a TV stand
• A stack of medium boxes

What usually does not fit well: a full sectional plus a bedroom set, a large refrigerator plus furniture, or the contents of a garage. Tall items can also be a problem, because the cargo box is shorter than on larger trucks. Measure your tallest piece.

The 10-foot truck typically has no pull-out ramp. It makes up for that with a lower deck than larger trucks, so lifting boxes in is easier than it looks. Heavy items take a little more planning.

1. Two people for anything heavy. One inside the truck, one on the ground, lifting together.
2. Tip, then slide. Rest one end of a dresser on the deck edge, then lift and slide the other end.
3. Use a furniture pad. It protects the piece and helps it slide on the floor.
4. Skip the appliance dolly into the box. Without a ramp, a hand truck is hard to get up. Lift instead, or pick a ramp truck.

If your load includes a washer, dryer or refrigerator, ask about a truck with a ramp or a 5x8 cargo trailer with ramp. Confirm the loading setup for the exact truck when you call.

In a small truck, every inch counts, so the order matters more than in a big one. Load in layers from the front wall (behind the cab) toward the door.

Front wall first

Put the heaviest and tallest items against the front wall: a dresser, a bookcase, a mattress on its side. This keeps weight forward, which helps the truck handle.

Middle next

Stack boxes in tight rows, heavy boxes on the bottom, light boxes on top. Fill gaps with soft items like pillows and bagged clothes.

Door last

Put the things you need first near the door: tools, bedding, a box of kitchen basics, phone chargers.

Tie off each section with rope or straps to the rails so the load cannot slide when you brake. A load that shifts in a small truck can push against the door, which makes unloading tricky.

It is the least intimidating moving truck to drive. The cab is roomy, the controls are familiar, and it fits in places larger trucks cannot. You still need to respect its height and its weight when loaded.

• Parking: apartment lots and street spots are easier than with larger trucks, but it is still longer than a car. Look for spots you can pull through.
• Height: it is taller than any car. Skip drive-throughs and parking garages.
• Mirrors: there is no rear window view once the box is full, so set the side mirrors before leaving the lot.
• Braking: a loaded truck takes longer to stop than an empty one. Leave extra space.

We show you the mirrors, lights and door latch during the pickup walkaround. Ask anything you are unsure about before you pull out onto Foothill Blvd.

With the smallest truck, one oversized piece can decide the whole plan. Measure these before you call, and give us the numbers so we can compare them with current interior dimensions.

Everything in this table is a typical pattern, not a guarantee. The person on the phone confirms current specs for the truck you are reserving.

Small moves go fast when supplies are ready before the truck shows up. Run through this list the night before pickup.

• Boxes in two or three sizes, taped and labeled by room.
• Moving blankets or old comforters for wood and upholstered pieces.
• Rope or ratchet straps for the tie-down rails.
• A furniture dolly for dressers and heavy boxes.
• Tools to take apart the bed frame and table legs, in a labeled bag.
• A first-night box with bedding, chargers, snacks and toiletries.
• Trash bags and a broom for the cargo floor before return.

A short loading session with everything staged by the door beats a long one where you are still packing while the truck waits.

Not always. It can look like the budget pick, but the real cost of a move includes your time, fuel and energy. If a 10-foot truck leads to a second trip across town, the savings can disappear.

The 10-foot truck is usually the better value when:

• Your load clearly fits with room to spare.
• The move is local and short.
• Parking at one or both ends is tight.

It is usually the wrong value when:

• You are unsure it will all fit.
• The move is one-way and a second trip is impossible.
• There is a garage, patio or workshop to empty.

We do not publish rental rates on this site. Call (909) 608-7699 and we will explain the terms for both sizes so you can compare. Our which truck size page also compares the options.

Towing options vary by truck, and the smaller trucks are typically not the ones used for towing. If you need to bring a car or a trailer along, tell us when you call. We will suggest a size that can tow, or a different plan, such as renting a trailer behind your own vehicle.

If you do tow anything from this lot, the hitch check comes with it. We check the ball, coupler, chains and lights with the trailer attached. The truck plus trailer page explains how combinations work.

At pickup, we walk around the truck with you and note fuel level, cleanliness, lights and any existing dents or scrapes. Photograph what we note. We also show you how the rear door latches and where the tie-down rails are.

At return, bring the truck back at the noted fuel level, swept out and empty. During business hours, we walk it again and close your contract. If you return after hours, follow the steps you confirmed for your rental at pickup. The 24-hour return page explains the photos to take.

Because we are a tire and repair shop, you can also book your car in for tires or an oil change while you use the truck. Call ahead so we can plan the bay time.

Book as soon as your date is firm. The 10-foot truck is popular with apartment movers, and apartment moves cluster around the end of the month. Weekend days go first.

When you call, tell us:

• Your pickup and return dates
• In-town or one-way
• Your biggest items and their measurements
• Whether you need to tow anything

We confirm the truck, the pickup time and what to bring. Our hours are Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, Sunday closed, and Saturday by phone confirmation. If you want to compare every size first, try the U-Haul size chooser.

Moving within California? The California DMV (opens in a new tab) is where you update the address on your license and registration.