How to save money on moving truck rentals?
CLASSIFIED: The Insider's 'Moving Industry Secret' That Slashes Moving Truck Rental Costs By Up To 47% — How to Save Money on Moving Truck Rentals While The Rental Companies Hope You Never Discover These 9 Cost-Cutting Strategies
Are you worried about spending too much money on moving truck rentals? You're not alone.
How to save money on moving truck rentals is one of the biggest questions people ask when they plan to move.
The good news? I'm going to show you secrets that the big truck companies don't want you to know.
My name is Jae Burnham, owner of Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving.
Since starting our company in January 2024, we've helped hundreds of people move without breaking the bank.
Our 75+ five-star reviews on Google, Thumbtack, and Moving Helper prove that our methods work.
Today, I'm sharing the insider tricks that can cut your moving truck costs almost in half.
The Moving Truck Money Trap (And How You Can Escape It)
Picture this: You need to move next month. You call the first truck rental place you think of. You take whatever price they offer. Then you struggle to load everything yourself. Sound familiar?
This is exactly what the big rental companies want. They count on you not knowing the tricks to get cheaper rates.
But what if you could slash that bill by up to 47%? What if you could turn a $900 truck rental into a $477 expense instead?
That's real money back in your pocket. Money you could spend on something fun in your new home – not on a truck you'll use for just a few hours.
Strategy #1: Timing Is Everything – Book on These "Magic" Days
Did you know that renting a moving truck on a Tuesday could save you up to 25% compared to a Saturday rental? The truck rental companies don't advertise this. They want you to rent on busy weekends when prices soar.
Weekday vs Weekend Moving Truck Prices: The Shocking Difference
Here's what the truck companies don't tell you: Their trucks sit empty most Mondays through Thursdays. That's why mid-week rentals can be dramatically cheaper.
A 15-foot truck that costs $39.95 per day plus $1.19 per mile on a Saturday might only cost $29.95 plus $0.99 per mile on a Tuesday. For a 50-mile move, that's a savings of $20 on the daily rate and another $10 on mileage – a quick $30 back in your pocket just by changing days!
The Best Time to Rent a Moving Truck Is Hidden in Plain Sight
The moving industry has "rush seasons" when prices jump:
End of months (especially 30th/31st and 1st)
Summer months (May through September)
College move-in/move-out times (August and May)
To get the absolute best rates, aim for:
Mid-month dates (15th-25th)
October through April (except December)
Middle of the week (Tuesday-Thursday)
One client who followed our advice moved on a Wednesday in March instead of a Saturday in May. Their savings? A whopping $210 on the exact same truck from the exact same company.
Strategy #2: Size Really Does Matter (Getting the Right Truck)
Picking a truck that's too big wastes money on extra fuel and higher day rates. Picking one too small might mean making two trips – doubling your costs.
Moving Truck Size Calculator: The Tool They Don't Want You Using
Most people guess wrong on truck size. Here's a simple formula the industry doesn't share widely:
For a studio: 10-foot truck For a 1-bedroom apartment: 15-foot truck For a 2-bedroom apartment: 17-foot truck For a 3-bedroom house: 20-foot truck For a 4-bedroom house: 26-foot truck
Remember: One room of furniture = roughly 5 feet of truck space.
One Mr. BigStuff customer nearly rented a 26-foot truck for a one-bedroom move. We helped them switch to a 15-foot truck, saving them $75 on the rental fee and about $60 in gas. That's $135 saved with one simple phone call to us!
Strategy #3: The "Secret Location Hack" for Cheap Moving Truck Rentals Near Me
Believe it or not, the same truck can have wildly different prices depending on which location you rent from – even within the same city!
One Way Truck Rental Deals: The Hidden Geography Trick
Truck rental companies constantly need to move their trucks from low-demand to high-demand areas. If you're moving from a high-demand to a low-demand area, you might pay double or triple compared to the other direction.
For example, moving from New York City to Florida might cost $2,000 for a one-way truck rental, but the exact same truck going from Florida to New York might only cost $700!
Ask these magic words when calling: "Do you have any one-way special rates right now?" Sometimes they have unpublished deals to move trucks to specific cities.
The "10-Mile Radius" Money-Saver
Rental locations in expensive city centers often charge more than suburban locations just 10 miles away. One family saved $85 by picking up their truck in the suburbs rather than downtown – for the exact same vehicle!
This strategy alone can save you 15-20% with just a little extra driving to pick up the truck.
Strategy #4: Moving Truck Rental Discounts They Hope You Never Find
The big rental companies offer discounts to dozens of groups – but they rarely advertise them all in one place.
Student Discounts on Moving Trucks: The Campus Cash-Saver
Almost every major truck rental company offers student discounts, but many don't prominently display them. Simply showing a student ID can save you 10-20%.
Military Discounts for Truck Rentals: Honor and Savings
Active duty, veterans, and military family members can often get 10-15% off their rentals. Some companies even offer enhanced insurance coverage at no extra cost to military members.
The "Membership Magic" Most People Miss
These memberships can get you instant moving truck discounts:
AAA: 10-20% off at most major rental companies
AARP: Up to 20% off for members 50+
Alumni associations: Many offer 10% discounts
Credit union members: Often qualify for special rates
Costco members: Special rates with Budget
One Mr. BigStuff customer combined their AAA discount with a weekday rental and saved a total of 32% off the standard weekend rate!
Strategy #5: Budget Truck Rental Promotion Codes – The Ultimate Hack
Most people search for "moving truck coupons" and take whatever comes up first. There's a much better way.
The Promo Code Strategy That Almost Nobody Knows
Instead of just searching for current codes, try these insider tricks:
Call the company directly and simply ask: "What's the best promotion you're running right now?" They have access to codes that aren't always online.
Start an online reservation but don't complete it. Many companies will email you a special "come back and finish" discount within 24-48 hours.
Check the rental company's social media accounts – they often post limited-time codes to their followers first.
One family I helped found a 25% off code by checking Budget's Twitter account – it wasn't advertised anywhere else!
Strategy #6: Beat the Hidden Fees That Drain Your Wallet
The advertised rate for your truck is just the beginning. The real money drains are the sneaky fees most people don't see coming.
Moving Truck Hidden Fees to Avoid: The Industry's Dirty Secret
Watch out for these common add-ons that can increase your bill by up to 42%:
Insurance upsells (often duplicating coverage you already have)
Fuel purchase options (almost always more expensive than filling up yourself)
Late return penalties (as high as $100 per hour in some cases)
Cleaning fees (if the truck isn't returned in the same condition)
Extra mileage charges (when you go over your allotted miles)
Moving Truck Insurance Worth It? The Answer Might Surprise You
Here's something the rental companies don't tell you: Your personal auto insurance might already cover rental trucks! Call your insurance agent and ask specifically about moving truck coverage before paying for duplicate insurance.
If you need to buy insurance, only purchase the damage waiver (CDW/LDW) – not the personal effects or cargo coverage which are almost always overpriced.
Another tip: Many credit cards extend their rental car insurance benefits to small and medium moving trucks. Call your card company to check before renting.
Strategy #7: Comparison of Moving Truck Prices – The 3-Call Method
Most people call just one company. Big mistake!
How 15 Minutes Could Save You Hundreds on Your Truck Rental
Use this simple 3-step process:
Call the three major rental companies (U-Haul, Budget, Penske)
Get quotes for the same size truck and dates
Tell each company about the others' rates and ask if they can beat it
This creates a bidding war for your business!
One client saved $178 just by making three phone calls and having the companies compete. That's over $50 saved per minute spent on the phone!
Moving Truck Fuel Efficiency Comparison: The Hidden Cost Multiplier
The truck's MPG can dramatically affect your total cost, but rental companies rarely advertise this information. Here's what you need to know:
10-foot trucks: About 12-14 MPG
15-foot trucks: About 10-12 MPG
20-foot trucks: About 8-10 MPG
26-foot trucks: About 6-8 MPG
For a 200-mile move, the difference between a 26-foot and a 15-foot truck could mean an extra $50-70 in fuel costs alone!
Strategy #8: Moving Pods vs Truck Rental Cost Comparison – When Trucks Aren't Best
Sometimes the cheapest option isn't a truck at all.
Alternatives to Expensive Moving Trucks That Could Save You Big
For long-distance moves, consider these alternatives:
Moving containers (like PODS or U-Pack): You load, they drive
Freight services: You load a portion of a large trailer
Hybrid moves: Rent a small truck for valuable items, ship the rest
One family saved over $900 on a cross-country move by using a combination of a small truck rental and a freight shipping service instead of a single large truck.
Strategy #9: DIY Moving vs Hiring Movers Cost – The Smartest Combination
Here's where most people get it all wrong: They think it's either all DIY or hiring full-service movers. The smartest option is often in the middle.
The "Hybrid Move" That Slashes Costs While Saving Your Back
Consider this money-saving approach: Rent the truck yourself but hire loading help.
At Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving, we see people save thousands with this method. You control the truck rental (using all the tips above), and we provide the muscle to load and unload quickly and safely.
This approach typically costs 50-60% less than full-service movers while still saving your back from the hardest part of moving.
Our professional movers can load a 3-bedroom home in about 3 hours – something that might take you all day trying to do yourself with friends. This means you can return the truck sooner, saving on rental time!
A Moving Truck Gas Calculator To Know Your TRUE Costs
Most rental companies only advertise the base daily rate and mileage costs. But fuel can add 20-40% to your total expense!
Use this simple formula to estimate your fuel costs:
Distance ÷ Truck MPG = Gallons needed
Gallons needed × Current gas price = Your fuel cost
For example: A 200-mile move in a 15-foot truck (10 MPG) would require 20 gallons of gas. At $3.50 per gallon, that's an extra $70 you need to budget for!
Truck Rental Price Negotiation Tips That Actually Work
Most people don't realize you can negotiate truck rental prices. Use these magic phrases:
"I notice your competitor is offering the same truck for $X less..."
"I see you have a lot of trucks in your lot today. Can you offer any specials for a rental right now?"
"I'm flexible on my dates. Do you have any days next week when rates might be lower?"
One customer saved $65 just by asking if there were any unadvertised specials available!
The Moving Truck Rental Tips and Tricks They Don't Want You To Know
Want to save even more? Try these insider hacks:
Return with a full tank, but don't overfill. Gas that's still in the truck when you return it is money wasted.
Clean the truck before returning it to avoid cleaning fees.
Take photos of any existing damage before driving away to avoid being charged for it later.
Bring your own moving blankets and dollies instead of renting them (we can provide these at Mr. BigStuff!).
Check multiple pickup locations – prices can vary even within the same company.
Why Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving Is Your Secret Weapon For Saving Money
Now you know the secrets to save up to 47% on your moving truck rental.
But there's one more strategy that can save you even more: partnering with Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving for your loading and unloading needs.
Here's why our customers love this approach:
You control the truck rental (using all the tips above)
Our professional team handles the heavy lifting
Your move gets done in half the time
You avoid injury and exhaustion
Your belongings arrive safely without damage
Since January 2024, we've helped hundreds of customers save thousands while protecting their backs and their belongings. Our 75+ five-star reviews on Google, Thumbtack, and Moving Helper tell the story better than I can.
Ready to Save Big on Your Next Move? Here's What to Do Now
Imagine cutting your moving costs by up to 47% while making the whole process easier on yourself.
That's exactly what our customers experience when they combine these truck rental savings with Mr. BigStuff's affordable loading services.
Call Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving today at (517) 948-0894 for a free quote on loading and unloading services.
We'll even help you apply these truck rental savings strategies for free as part of our service!
Don't wait until the last minute when truck prices soar. Call now and mention this article for an extra 10% off our already affordable rates.
Remember: The moving companies don't want you to know these secrets. But now that you do, you can move without breaking the bank!
Mr. BigStuff Labor and Moving - We make moving easy on your wallet and your back!
