Last updated October 2026
The size of the truck decides a lot about moving day. Too small and the move takes two trips, or something gets left behind. Too big and you are paying for empty space, with furniture that has room to shift around on every roundabout between Pāpāmoa and Bethlehem.
★View the Best Moving Services in Tauranga→Whether you are booking movers or hiring a truck to do it yourself, working out roughly how much you are moving is the first step. Here is how to think about it.
Why the truck size matters
Moving trucks are usually described by how much they hold, in cubic metres. The number matters for three reasons.
- One trip or two. A load that does not fit means a second run, which adds time and, with movers, usually cost.
- How the load travels. A well packed truck holds everything firmly. A half-empty one leaves furniture and boxes free to move unless they are strapped carefully.
- Access at both ends. Bigger trucks need more room to park and turn. A steep driveway, a narrow street or an apartment loading zone can rule out the largest sizes, whatever the volume says.
What actually takes up the space
People tend to estimate by the number of bedrooms, but bedrooms are a rough guide at best. Two houses with the same number of rooms can produce very different loads. These are the things that make the difference:
- Large furniture
- Sofas, beds, wardrobes and dining sets take space that cannot be packed tighter
- Whiteware
- Fridges, washing machines and dryers are bulky and must travel upright
- Garage and shed
- Tools, bikes, lawnmowers and storage boxes are often forgotten until moving day
- Outdoor furniture
- Tables, loungers and barbecues add up quickly in a Bay of Plenty house
- Boxes
- Dozens of packed boxes fill more floor space than most people expect
- Awkward items
- Pianos, gym equipment, spas or large artwork need their own space and handling
How to estimate your load
You do not need to measure everything. A simple walk through the house gets you most of the way.
Walk every room, including outside
List the large items room by room, then add the garage, shed, deck and garden. These outdoor areas are where most underestimates come from.
Count the boxes honestly
Once you have started packing, count the boxes you have done and estimate how many more each remaining room will need. Kitchens and garages almost always need more than planned.
Let the mover estimate it
If you are booking movers, give them the full picture: the type of property, the number of rooms, the garage and anything unusual. Photos or a short video of each room help a mover match the right truck and crew, and it is better to mention the piano or the second fridge at the quote than on the day.
If you are hiring a truck and driving it yourself
A hired truck can make sense for a smaller move, or when you have plenty of help. Before booking, check that you are licensed to drive it.
Under NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s driver licence classes, a full Class 1 car licence covers vehicles with a gross laden weight of 6000 kg or less, while a learner or restricted Class 1 licence is limited to 4500 kg. Ask the hire company for the truck’s gross laden weight, not just its volume, and check it against your licence.
Even with the right licence, a loaded truck handles very differently from a car. Allow extra time, load the heaviest items first and against the front wall, and tie everything down.
Questions to ask when you book
- What size truck do you recommend for my move, and why?
- Is one trip enough, or should I expect two?
- Can the truck get close to both properties, and is there anywhere it cannot go?
- How many people will be on the crew?
- If I am hiring, what licence do I need for this truck?
Where Lift & Shift Movers fits
Lift & Shift Movers is a Tauranga moving company founded in 2020. Its house and furniture moving fleet covers five truck sizes, with loading capacities of approximately 22, 27, 33, 40 and 49 cubic metres, so the truck can be matched to the size of the move.
For people who would rather do the move themselves, the company also offers moving truck rental, with a rental truck of approximately 22 cubic metres. Ask about the truck’s weight and licence requirements when you book.
The quote form on their website asks for your pick up and drop off addresses, whether the property is single level, double storey or an apartment, and your preferred date. You can also call 027 271 4241. The office is open seven days, 7am to 7pm.
