Follow These Simple Tips to Hire the Right Moving Truck

Planning a move in Australia, whether it’s across town or interstate from Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane to the Gold Coast, or anywhere in between? Hiring a moving truck is a popular and cost-effective solution, especially for those considering a DIY move. But with so many options available—from compact moving vans to large 4.5-tonne trucks—it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

In this Ultimate Moving Truck Hiring Guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right truck for your move. From understanding licence requirements and truck sizes to calculating costs and finding the best rental deals, this guide has you covered. Whether you are moving within NSW, relocating to QLD, or tackling a cross-country move, we’ll help you make your move smooth, affordable, and stress-free. Let’s get started!

The Ultimate Moving Truck Hiring Guide

Follow our simple tips to take the stress out of moving. Our comprehensive guide for hiring the perfect moving truck in Australia is designed to take the stress out of getting organised, helping you select the right vehicle for your DIY move.

1. Book in Advance to Avoid Missing Out

You’d be amazed to learn how often we get calls on a Friday from people asking if they can hire a truck at a moment’s notice, to use on that very same weekend. This may be because a friend who promised to assist them with their move has been unable to help them at the last minute, or perhaps they simply thought they didn’t need to worry about booking ahead as there’d always be a truck available.

Some customers are also under the impression that waiting till the last minute can get you a better deal. This isn’t the case. At Mobile Truck Rental, our quotes are always consistent, so delaying your booking is only going to lead to potential heartache when you discover that there aren’t any available for you to hire!

Truck hire companies cannot always guarantee that there will be a vehicle available for you at the drop of a hat, especially if you’re seeking to hire one on the weekends. To avoid any such dilemmas, it’s essential that customers hire a truck at least 48 hours before when they need to use it. An early booking will help ensure that we can reserve a vehicle for you and have it ready to go when it comes time for you to collect it.

2. Check For One-Way Moving Truck Hire

When you are moving, especially if moving interstate, you are typically not returning to your old address. That’s why a one-way rental is important.

We offer one-way truck hire up and down all of the East Coast of Australia. Move from Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Brisbane, or Newcastle to Logan and don’t worry about returning the vehicle.

To make your moving truck hire a little easier, our rental truck is delivered to your door. Even better, we also pick up from your new address. With us, you never have to visit a rental site. This saves you time and money and lets you focus on what matters: your move. Our interstate, one-way moving truck hire is a cost-effective and straightforward solution for a successful and stress-free DIY move!

3. Pick The Right Truck

Moving trucks come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose one that suits your specific needs. Whether you’re moving a small apartment or a 3-bedroom house, the right truck can make all the difference. Here’s what to look for:

Standard Licence Compatibility

Ensure the truck can be driven with a standard car licence (Class C). In Australia, this includes vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonnes, such as our 3-tonne Pantech trucks.

Cargo Space

Pick a truck with enough space to fit all your belongings comfortably. For example, a 3-tonne Pantech truck is ideal for moving the contents of a 3-bedroom home, while a smaller moving van might suit a studio or 1-bedroom apartment. Usually, it is smarter to err on the side of caution and select the vehicle with more cargo space. We often hear of customers who think their belongings can fit a moving can, but you’d be surprised by how quickly a van fills up. When relocating interstate, it’s essential that you are able to transport all of your possessions in a single journey.

With a larger moving truck, you get plenty of cargo space. This is especially important if you are moving one way and do not or cannot make multiple trips! If you are still not certain what a 3-tonne Pantech truck means exactly, check out our side-by-side truck comparison to make sure you book the right truck. In a nutshell, the advantage of a Pantech is that it comes with a protective, easy-to-load cargo space that offers extra protection for your belongings.

Delivered to your Door!  We Drop Off – You Move – We Pick Up

Ease of Driving

If you’ve never driven a truck before, don’t worry! Our modern trucks are designed with user-friendly features like automatic transmission and a size that makes them easy to manoeuvre even for beginners. Of course, it’s always a good idea to practice driving an empty truck first, to get used to it.

4. Packing Tips

Last, here are a few general tips for packing that we give to anyone planning a DIY move:

1. Soft fabrics such as old bed linen, unwanted clothing, pillows and so on, provide a handy way to secure and protect your valuables from damage while in transit.
2. Always be sure to place padded fabrics between fragile items such as cutlery and other breakables.
3. Items such as bags and suitcases are containers themselves, first and foremost, so be sure to cram each of these with as many items as possible. Doing so will help reduce the number of moving boxes you need to buy.
4. Declutter! Moving house is a great time to get rid of all the old trinkets and other bits and pieces that you’ve been meaning to throw out for years but haven’t gotten around to doing. When you’re tallying up how many boxes you’ll need for the move, don’t automatically assume that everything you have in your current household will be needed for your next place. If it’s rubbish that’s been collecting dust for donkey’s years, get rid of it and save yourself the extra hassle when it comes to transporting everything!
5. Similar to breakables such as cutlery and glassware, be sure to include plenty of protective cushioning for your expensive electronic devices such as televisions and computers
6. It’s a good idea to place cables for each device into their separate bags and label them accordingly

5. Moving Truck Hiring Guide: Driving Tips

Last, you can ensure a safer journey by following these simple rules for driving a moving truck:

Unlike an ordinary car, manoeuvring a truck is a completely different experience that requires you to take extra precautions in order to ensure safe travels to your chosen destination. When getting into your hire truck for the first time, it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with all the key components before you get out onto the road.

The last thing you want is to be out in the traffic, not knowing how to operate a particular feature. The good news is, that even if you’ve never operated a larger vehicle before, Pantech trucks can be an absolute pleasure to drive. Once you’ve allowed yourself the necessary time to adjust to the differences of driving a moving truck, it can be a really enjoyable experience.

• Allow our staff to explain the handling characteristics of the vehicle to you.
• Practice makes perfect – familiarise yourself with your truck by taking it for a test drive in an area that has minimal traffic. You need to be completely confident in driving the vehicle before you get out onto the road.
• Before taking off, it’s always a good idea to adjust your seat such that your feet can comfortably reach the pedals.
• Configure your side mirrors correctly to ensure that you can see everything behind you.
• Be mindful of the extra girth and height of your vehicle when navigating through narrow passageways or underneath bridges.
• Be sure to configure your side mirrors correctly, and test all the basic instruments such as your lights, window wipers, indicators, park brake etc.
• Be sure to keep a greater distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, as Pantech trucks take longer to slow down and stop than an ordinary car. This is especially important when your vehicle is carrying a full load. Get a feel for the braking capabilities of the vehicle while taking it on the practice run.
• Drive carefully – if you’ve never driven a Pantech truck before, it’s advisable to drive under the speed limit to help give you greater control of your vehicle and give you more time to react in the event of an unexpected incident or traffic conditions.
• Always be aware of your surroundings when backing up. Mirrors alone are not enough. It’s a better idea to use a spotter to help guide you.
• When cornering and operating in cramped spaces, use your mirrors to help ensure safer navigation.
• Be extra cautious when switching lanes in your hire truck. Always consider your blind spots and be mindful of motorcycle riders.
• Always ensure that the rear doors are properly locked before departing.
• Our 3-tonne moving trucks are equipped with a rear tailgate lifter. Our team member who delivers your truck to you will show you how to correctly operate it.

By following these simple tips of our Moving Truck Hiring Guide, you are sure to find the perfect vehicle for your DIY or interstate move!