I’m sure you’re all familiar with the movie-esque imagery of packing up all your things into neat, organized boxes and meticulously stacking them into the moving truck. Heck if I were to Google “moving,” some of the first images I see showcase that very scenario! Are movers without trucks a possibility? Absolutely?
A lot of the time, those big trucks aren’t actually a part of your move – whether it be budget, time, efficiency, or simply not wanting to drive the huge thing, there are many cases in which you find yourself having to navigate moving without a moving truck. We’re here to help that process run smoothly, and assure you that moving without a truck is more than possible!
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Labor-Only Movers Without Trucks
Moving without a truck doesn’t mean moving without help! There is a wide variety of labor-only moving companies that supply movers without trucks who can help you pack up your vehicle. These companies do not supply a truck, so – as the name would suggest – you’re only paying for labor, which is substantially cheaper than full-service moving! A quick Google search should do the trick to help find labor-only moving near you.
Often, your movers will even provide supplies like straps and tools for disassembly and reassembly, but be sure to clarify that with them beforehand so you know what you need.
Moving With Friends and Family
If a moving company is out of the question entirely, it’s always a good idea to recruit friends and family. As far as movers without trucks go, this is one of the most affordable options out there. Reach out to those close to you and see if they’re willing to help you move! It’s cost-effective and allows you to work at your own pace.
Of course, you’ll also have to consider what happens when you get to your new place. If you’re moving a long distance away, you may not have a team of friends and family readily available to help you unload. This might be a good time to look into labor-only movers for unpacking and unloading only.
Packing Strategically
If you’re moving without trucks, you might be dealing with space constraints. Of course, this depends on what type of vehicle you have available (covered in the next section). There are a few ways you can optimize your packing.
The first way is to save space where you can. There are a ton of helpful tricks to help you do that! For example, you could use clothes as packing material, or utilize empty containers like Tupperware as storage space for small items. Even pots and pans can act as storage space!
Without a big truck at your disposal, you’ll want to the most of the vehicle(s) you do have — if yours has a second row of seats in the back, chances are it can come out of the car completely! Check the user’s manual, or the manufacturer’s website for proper removal instructions. This way, you’ll have a ton of extra room.
Another good strategy is to declutter your items before starting to pack. This means taking everything out of storage and then taking inventory of what you have. You can put items back in storage, or donate them, depending on your needs. Most areas have a plethora of easy donation options! When you don’t have a moving truck, saving space and prioritizing items is key.
Moving Truck Alternatives
Lastly, there is no shortage of alternatives to the traditional moving truck. One option is the portable storage unit, which you can get via companies like PODS or GoMini’s. These services allow you to load your own unit, and then they’ll ship it to wherever you’re moving to. If you don’t plan on bringing enough stuff to fill an entire one of those units, there are also smaller options available. Uhaul offers a similar service with their U-box, and U-pack with the ReloCube.
If you don’t want to use a moving truck, it might be worth it to look into smaller, more affordable options like pickup trucks, vans, or even trailers. There are different types of trailers, so be sure to do some more research to determine what works best for you. Uhaul has a nice variety of utility and cargo trailers available for rent. So does Home Depot, which also offers a selection of packing and moving supplies to help you if you’re packing up without a crew.
There are also smaller vehicle accessories like cargo carriers or roof racks, that you can attach to most vehicles.
Conclusion
Depending on your move, a huge truck might not be the way to go. Moving without a moving truck doesn’t have to be any more stressful than if you were to hire a full-service company. Prepare, know what kind of help you need, and look at all of the options.
If you’re in the market for an affordable labor-only moving company, look no further than UniMovers! Our customers save 30-50% on their move compared to a full-service moving company and have total autonomy over their moving process.
Samantha attends the University of Northern Colorado as a double major in English and Theatre with minors in Writing and Japanese. In her free time she enjoys creative writing, art, and making music.
