Why You Should Consider Using a Freight Trailer to Move Long Distance

Moving long distance? If you’re preparing to move across the country, then you know just how complicated and expensive a move can be. Fortunately, freight moving companies offer an affordable way to move that doesn’t involve you hauling all of your belongings down the highway for days (even weeks) at a time. This hybrid do-it-yourself move is an excellent way to save money on a long-distance moversdubai without bearing the brunt of the work. Here’s what you need to know before hiring a freight moving company to handle your next long-distance relocation.

What is a freight moving company and how does it work?

While rules and specifics may vary from company to company, most freight moves are handled similarly. After scheduling a delivery time with the company, the movers will deliver a 28-foot freight trailer (also referred to as a semi-trailer) to your home and any necessary moving equipment (like ramps and partitions). Once delivered, you will typically have three business days to load the freight trailer. You are the one responsible for packing the trailer. You will only pay (by the foot) for the space you use inside the trailer. So if you need more or less space than originally estimated, it’s fine. A freight moving company should be able to provide you with a ballpark estimate of how much space you will need. 

Once you’ve loaded your belongings into the freight trailer, you’ll place a partition by your things to separate them from other people’s items. After three days of loading, the freight moving company will pick up the trailer and drive it to your destination. Customers will usually have three days to unload their belongings and empty the trailer. 

How much does it cost to move when using a freight moving company?

Moving with a freight trailer typically involves moving a long distance (think: cross country). According to HireAHelper, you can expect to pay around $2,000 or more to rent space in a freight trailer for a long-distance move. The estimate for local moves is about $1,500, but it’s not recommended for short distances since staying on budget means controlling the size of your haul.

Believe it or not, this is cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. The average cost of a long-distance move using a full-service moving company is $4,890, based on an average distance of 1,000 miles. This is more than double the average cost of using a DIY freight trailer.

According to HireAHelper, the average cost of a long-distance move with a U-Pack trailer is $3,196; the average cost of a long-distance move with an Old Dominion Household Services trailer is $2,888, and the average cost of a long-distance move with an Estes SureMove trailer is $2,511 (this is an estimate for a 28-foot trailer in all three cases). The price of moving with a freight company is based on the number of linear feet your household goods take up inside the trailer, while the price of moving with full-service movers is mainly based on the weight of your belongings. 

What is included in the price of freight moving?

You can expect to pay about $2,000 or more to rent space in a freight trailer for a long-distance move. The price includes the cost of renting that linear feet your belongings will occupy inside the trailer, mileage, gas, tolls, the driver’s compensation, and ramps and partitions. https://www.allieddubaimovers.com

Why is a linear foot important when using a freight moving company?

A linear foot is simply 12 inches (equal to one foot) which extends in a linear line. The price of using a freight trailer to move is based on the number of linear feet you need inside the trailer. When you pay by linear foot, you will only pay for the space you actually use inside the trailer. This differs from using a truck rental or moving container where customers must pay for the entire space, regardless of whether or not it was actually filled. 

To figure out how many linear feet your move will require, speak with a freight moving company representative. They should be able to estimate how much space you’ll need based on the number of items you have.

How many linear feet would I need to reserve?

It depends on how much you’re moving (again, a freight moving company representative should give you an estimate). If it’s 600 square feet or less (the average studio apartment size), expect to occupy about six linear feet (360 cubic feet). That will hold up to 120 medium boxes and up to five medium-sized furniture items. Needless to say, it won’t fit a piano or a king-sized bed.

For 1,000 square feet, which is approximately the size of a small home, you might need approximately seven linear feet (432 cubic feet) to fit up to 200 medium boxes and up to eight furniture items. For up to 1,500 feet (medium home), the linear feet are estimated at 13, or 864 cubic feet. This space will fit up to 350 medium boxes and up to 10 furniture items.

Finally, to move a large household by a freight trailer (1,500-1,800 square feet or more), you’ll need at least 17 linear feet (that’s 1,152 cubic feet). That will hold 450 medium boxes and up to 10 furniture items.

What are a few well-known freight moving companies?

Three common freight moving companies are ABF Frieght/U-Pack, Estes SureMove and Old Dominion Freight Line. All three provide 28-foot moving trailers with a large loading capacity. These trailers are ideal for large moves (think: a four-bedroom household) and allow customers to load and unload themselves. 

Who should consider using a freight moving company?

While freight trailers are available for moves of all sizes, this method of moving is generally better suited for large moves. Given the ample space available in these trailers, customers can move an entire four- to five-bedroom household for a good deal less than using a full-service moving company. 

Those who aren’t opposed to some heavy lifting and a little do-it-yourself moving also won’t have any trouble using a freight trailer. This type of relocation is considered a hybrid DIY move, meaning you load and unload the trailer yourself, but the company drives it to its destination. 

Unlike a truck rental where you handle all aspects of the relocation, a freight moving company handles the transportation. Freight moving companies are typically ideal for those moving far distances. While not a popular method for moving locally, those relocating across the country will benefit from having a freight moving company handle the cross-country driving part of the move.

Why is freight trailer moving is not recommended for local moves?

While renting space in a freight trailer for a local move is possible, we don’t recommend it. The representatives of freight moving companies will most likely tell you the same. It’s not budget-friendly for local moves and should be reserved for long-distance moves. https://servicebasketuae.com

When should I reserve space in the trailer?

As with any moving service, you should reserve space as soon as possible. The good news is, unlike with full-service moving services, truck rentals and moving container rentals, you are more likely to find some good last-minute options. Renting space in a semi-trailer doesn’t depend as much on seasonal fluctuations.

Are there any items that are not allowed in the trailer?

Yes, and please familiarize yourself with the prohibited items list. Some of those are obvious, like dynamite and gasoline. Others, like nail polish remover or health records, are less so. The prohibited items fall into three categories: non-survivable, non-allowable and non-replaceable. Non-survivable items would include anything perishable, like frozen food, plants or produce. The non-allowable items are hazardous items that can damage the truck and hurt the drivers and others on the road. Hazardous items are those considered explosive, flammable or corrosive. It’s a long list that includes acids, fertilizer, fireworks, paints, car batteries, pesticides, etc. The non-replaceable are those personal or sentimental things that you can’t risk losing and can’t replace easily or at all: car keys, address books, laptops, important documents, cash, jewelry, collections, personal CDs, etc.

Many of these items can be donated or given to friends and family. Unwanted hazardous items will have to be disposed of properly.

Do I need to buy insurance?

The shipper is responsible for his or her belongings and can buy coverage from third parties. Typically the freight moving company is only responsible for loss or damage caused by their negligence, not damage caused by improper packing or loading. Some companies, like Estes SureMove, also allow customers to purchase additional liability coverage. But first, check your homeowner’s or rental insurance policies to see if you have coverage while in transit.

Should I also hire a professional moving company?

If you can’t or don’t want to DIY the packing and unpacking, you can absolutely consider a hybrid move or both booking a freight trailer to do the driving and hiring professional movers to help with the packing and/or loading and unloading of the truck. Using professional movers only to help you pack and unpack the trailer is more cost-effective than booking a full-service move using a professional moving company. Of course, that’s provided it’s a long distance, not a local move. Besides, it will be easier to schedule movers within the flexible three-day windows and make it less stressful and labor-intensive for you.

What are the other ways to move long distance? 

• Rent a moving container – Looking for a DIY hybrid alternative to a freight trailer? Try renting a portable moving container. This popular method of moving is less expensive than hiring full-service movers. The containers also double as storage units and are ideal for those dealing with complicated moves. How it works: The container company drops the portable unit at the customer’s residence. The customer will have a certain amount of time to load the container. Once it’s loaded, the company will pick it up and deliver it to its destination. The cost of renting a moving container depends on the length of time rented, size of the container and distance traveled.
• Drive a truck rental – Don’t mind driving long distance? Reserve a truck rental from one of these reputable truck rental companies. While loading, unloading and driving a truck rental may be a lot of work, many will tell you it’s worth the thousands of dollars saved. And for those who need help loading and unloading the truck rental, there are labor-only movers available for hire. There are plenty of moving truck rental companies to choose from when planning your next relocation. 
• Ship your belongings – If you’re moving a limited number of items, it may be easier (and cheaper) to simply ship them to your destination. In addition to using USPS, FedEx or UPS, you can also ship belongings via https://www.themoveme.com, which helps those moving find the right shipping partner for their needs.
• Hire a full-service moving company – You can always hire a full-service moving company to handle your upcoming long-distance move. If you’re looking for a convenient, hassle-free way to move, hiring a professional moving company may be the best solution. 

What are the advantages of renting a semi-truck for moving vs. other moving options?

Consider several:

• It’s easier to book. This option doesn’t depend as heavily on the busy seasons. There’s also less demand for this service as many people move locally, not long-distance (for which this option is best suited).
• Your belongings will be in the hands of professional drivers. Freight companies have years of experience moving all kinds of items, from bulky to fragile, for thousands of miles.
• You have more flexible loading and unloading windows. You have three days to pack and unpack, which is not the case with many other moving services.

Bonus tips

• If you’re making any changes to your itinerary, provide at least one week’s notice to avoid paying additional fees.
• If delivery date and time are important, you will need to pay extra for a guaranteed delivery date and time. Otherwise, the delivery time will not be definite.
• You are responsible for trailer parking at both locations (new location and old location), so you’ll need to find out if it’s possible to park near your home. Freight containers take up space, so there needs to be ample room for safe and legal parking. Some cities require a live load/unload, which means that overnight parking is not permitted. Checking with the local city hall should provide the details on parking trailers in your city or town. It’s a necessary step as you’ll have to pay for any parking violations.

Ready to move?

Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for your upcoming cross-country relocation. All moving companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!