15-Foot Moving Truck for One and Two-Bedroom Moves

It covers the widest range of real moves. A full one-bedroom, a two-bedroom apartment, or a condo with a small patio usually lands here. It is big enough to avoid a second trip for most renters, while still being manageable for someone who has only driven cars.

The 15-foot truck is often the right size when:

• You have a full bedroom set, a living room set and a dining table.
• A washer, dryer or refrigerator is coming with you.
• Your one-bedroom has more stuff than it looks, like a home office or a gym corner.
• You want the easier loading that a ramp typically gives.

If your list is a studio and some boxes, the 10-foot truck may be enough.

A typical 15-foot load looks like a full apartment, not a stripped-down one. The table shows the kind of mix people usually fit. It is approximate, and we confirm current interior dimensions and ramp setup when you call.

Add a packed garage, or a sectional plus a second sofa, and the 20-foot truck is usually the more comfortable fit.

Many 15-foot trucks typically come with a pull-out loading ramp stored under the rear of the box. A ramp lets you roll heavy items on a hand truck or appliance dolly instead of lifting them. It is the single biggest reason people step up from a 10-foot truck.

Many larger U-Haul trucks also have a storage area above the cab, often called Mom's Attic. It is a good spot for fragile and lighter items that should not have boxes stacked on them.

Good things for the over-cab space:

• Lamps and lampshades
• Framed pictures wrapped in blankets
• Plants in a sturdy box
• Kitchen glassware, well packed

Confirm the ramp and over-cab setup for your truck when you call, because equipment varies.

Treat the ramp as a tool with rules. Most ramp injuries happen when someone rushes a heavy item or stands in the wrong place.

1. Pull the ramp out fully and hook it to the truck as shown at pickup.
2. Make sure the ground end sits flat and stable, not on a curb edge.
3. Walk heavy items up with one person above guiding and one below pushing.
4. Never stand on the downhill side of a loaded hand truck.
5. Take one item at a time and keep the ramp clear.
6. Slide the ramp back in and latch it before driving.

We show you how the ramp comes out and locks during the pickup walkaround.

Start with appliances and the heaviest furniture against the front wall. That keeps the weight forward and centered, which makes the truck steadier on the road. Then build rows toward the rear door, securing each row before starting the next.

• Row one: refrigerator, washer, dryer, dresser, all upright and strapped.
• Row two: mattresses and box springs on edge, with sofas beside them.
• Row three onward: boxes, heavy on the bottom, stacked tight.
• Last in: the essentials you need first at the new place.

Fill gaps with soft items so nothing can shift. Use the tie-down rails every few feet. The which truck size page has more on matching your load to a truck.

Balance in a mid-size truck comes down to heavy things forward, low and split evenly between the left and right walls. A washer on one side and a dryer on the other is a better start than both on the same side.

• Pair heavy items across the width of the box.
• Keep the heaviest pieces between the front wall and the middle.
• Put mattresses on edge beside tall furniture so they brace each other.
• Save the over-cab space for light, fragile things.
• Look at the truck from behind before you leave. It should sit fairly level.

A balanced truck stops straighter and leans less on freeway ramps.

It is a step up from the 10-foot truck. It is longer, taller and heavier, so your habits need to change a bit. Most people adjust within the first few miles if they take it easy.

• Right turns: pull further into the intersection before turning so the rear wheels clear the curb.
• Lane changes: use the mirrors, signal early, and move over slowly.
• Stopping: start braking earlier than you would in a car.
• Height: never use drive-throughs or parking garages.
• Backing: use a helper outside the truck as a spotter.

Plan the route before loading. Streets near apartment complexes can be tight, so pick where you will park at both ends ahead of time.

At pickup, we walk around the truck together. We note the fuel level, look at cleanliness and lights, and point out existing damage for you to photograph. We show you the ramp, the rear door and the over-cab space.

At return, the truck should come back at the noted fuel level, with the cargo box and over-cab space emptied and swept. During business hours, we walk it again with you. For after-hours returns, confirm the steps for your rental at pickup.

If you are towing a car or trailer, tell us when you reserve so we can confirm the pairing and plan the free towing inspection.