Your Vehicle Options for Moving House

Are you planning to move house and in search of a vehicle? Let’s review your options.

Quick Answer: The Best Vehicle For Moving

Arguable, we might be biased but we think 3-tonne trucks are Australia’s best vehicles for moving. Most Australians don’t know that they can rent and drive a 3-tonne truck on a C-Class car licence. Moving trucks are automatic and relatively easy to drive, even if it’s your first time driving a larger vehicle. Best of all, they have plenty of cargo space (3x as much as vans), are affordable and they are suitable for one-way or interstate moves. Learn more about our trucks here.

Option 1: Your Own Car

More often than not, the first option that comes to mind is using your own vehicle. The advantages are clear: its yours, you own it and there is no extra cost. The downsides are just as obvious: most of us don’t own a car big enough to fit more than a few boxes, let alone a bed or large furniture. And even if you don’t have any large or bulky items, moving with your own car can be hassle because you need to make multiple trips whereas with a larger vehicle could you accomplish everything in one go. Last but not least, we’ve seen time and time again that when people use their own car, they overestimate how much they can fit and in the end, they pack things too tightly, risking damage to their car or their belongings.

Your Own Car – Suitability For Moving ⭐⭐

Pros
✅ Availability
✅ Cost

Cons
❌ Space
❌ Potential damage

Option 2: The Trusty ‘Ute’ (Utility Vehicle)

The humble ute is an Australian icon for a reason. For smaller moves or “tip runs,” it’s often the most accessible choice. If you don’t own one, maybe one of your mates does. Utes are also really easy to rent from providers such as Budget or Sixt. Even Bunnings offers them for short-term rental.

How suitable are utes for a move? First up, it depends on the type of ute. Usually, your top picks for moving are the Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger or similar. Don’t bother with smaller utes, such as the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the good old Holden Commodore. They are fun vehicles but don’t offer enough space for moving your belongings.

Larger utes are best for moving large individual items such as a washing machine, a fridge or tall plants. Their biggest advantage over cars or delivery fans is height, as you can transport anything that cannot stand up in a van. However, they are usually not suited for transporting too many things at once. Also, make sure to tie down your cargo properly. All ute cargo must be secured to prevent falling, shifting, or affecting vehicle stability – consult the Load Restraint Guide for detailed instructions.

Utes – Suitability for Moving ⭐⭐⭐

Pros: 
✅Easy to load
✅Most people have a “mate with a ute” they can call

Cons: 
❌ You are at the mercy of the weather. If a sudden southerly buster hits, your mattress is getting soaked.
❌ You’ll also need high-quality tie-down straps and a cargo net to comply with local load restraint laws.

Option 3: The High-Roof Cargo Van

If you’re moving a studio or a one-bedroom flat, a delivery-style van is often the “sweet spot” between a car and a truck. These vans are easy to drive and readily available from most rental providers. They are fairly spacious and the vehicle cabin is separated from the cargo area by a cargo barrier. While vans are great for transporting several items at once, the size of the cargo area can be limiting. Because of the cargo barrier, only items of a certain length can be transported safely in a van. Hitop vans are slightly more spacious than delivery vans because of the increased height. The length of the cargo area, however, is roughly the same.

For comparison, a delivery van has a typical capacity of 4.5m³ and cargo dimensions of 1.2m(H) x 2.6m(L) x 1.5m(W), 1.1m (wheel arch). A hitop van has capacity of 7m³ and cargo dimensions of 1.5m(H) x 3.2m(L) x 1.5m(W) (between wheel arch 1.35m(L)). So, you gain 0.6m in length and 0.3 in height when comparing delivery vans to hitop vans.

For hiring a van, check local specialists or national chains such as Budget Australia. Always confirm availability at your desired pick-up depot. Just because a provider says they have vans for rent does not mean that a rent is available near your home! A standard car licence is enough to rent a van.

Overall, vans are best for IKEA flat-packs, queen-sized mattresses, and boxes.

Vans – Suitability for Moving ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros: 
✅Easy to load
✅Everything stays dry and secure
✅Unlike a truck, you can still park these in many outdoor shopping centre car parks or tight driveways.

Cons: 
❌ You’re limited by the wheel arches inside the van, which can make stacking wide furniture tricky.
❌ The cost of renting a van is similar to renting a larger moving truck

Option 4: The 3-Tonne “Car License” Truck

Many Australians don’t realise you can drive a truck up to 4.5 tonnes GVM on a standard C-class (car) driver’s license. Most of these trucks are flatbed, Pantech trucks. They are automatic, relatively easy to drive, offer space for three passengers in the cabin, and offer a generous 20m³ of cargo space (learn how to maximise your cargo space with our packing tips here). They also have a hydraulic tail lifter which helps move items from the ground into the truck. Overall, they are a versatile option for moves large and small.

Size-wise, a 3-tonne moving truck works for any move up to a 3-bedroom apartment or townhouse. The Isuzu N-Series is the gold standard for rental fleets in Australia.

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

Moving Trucks – Suitability for Moving ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros: 
✅Moving trucks come with a hydraulic tail lift, which is a literal back-saver for heavy timber dining tables or wardrobes.
✅Readily available, even with delivery to and pick-up from your doorstep
✅Considerably more spacious than vans: almost three times as much cargo space

Cons: 
❌ They are larger than your usual vehicle. You must be aware of your surroundings.
❌ The cost of renting a van is similar to renting a larger moving truck

Option 5: The Furniture Trailer

If your car has a tow bar, hiring a trailer is another option worth considering. In Australia, furniture trailers are typically categorized into small, medium, and large sizes, ranging from roughly 1.8m to 4.8m in length. They are almost always fully enclosed with a high roof—usually around 1.8m to 2.0m tall—to allow most furniture to stand upright and to provide protection from the weather. Trailers are a good option for a move, though not everyone is comfortable driving with one, let alone reversing it. Trailers also don’t work very well at higher speeds: if you load too much weight at the back of a trailer, it can begin to wobble at high speeds. It also very easy to accidentally exceed your car’s Towing Capacity or GCM (Gross Combined Mass) with a trailer. 

To hire a trailer, you’ll find U-Haul Australia or Move Yourself trailers at almost every Bunnings.

Furniture Trailers – Suitability for Moving ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros: 
✅Relatively cheap and you get to use your own car
✅Spacious, compared to vans

Cons: 
❌ Reversing a trailer is a skill that breaks many spirits (and marriages)
❌ Trailers carry higher risks for an inexperienced driver than a small truck

What’s the Best Vehicle for Moving? Summary Table for Aussie Movers