When you're looking to rent a truck to move, you probably don't spend much time thinking about how much the rental truck weighs. You're just thinking about how much stuff you're going to fit in it. However, if you're planning to drive it yourself, you need to know how much the rental truck weighs. This is because the truck's weight will affect what roads and bridges it can be driven on, whether or not you need to stop at weigh stations, and even your fuel economy. So let's talk about truck weight and why it matters.
Why Truck Weight Matters
Weight Limits: You've rented a moving truck and you're driving to your new home when suddenly you see a sign that causes you to panic: Weight Limit 10 Tons. Most of us who rent a moving truck are not professional truck drivers, so it's unlikely we would normally pay attention to these signs. But that all changes once you get behind the wheel of a rental truck, and you'll begin to notice that these types of weight limit signs aren't all that uncommon. Found all over the country, these signs tell drivers what the maximum vehicle weight a specific bridge can safely support.
Weigh Stations: We've all seen weigh stations along the highway, but those are just for semi-trucks, right? Nope. While the rules vary from state to state, there are currently 24 states that require some or all moving trucks to stop at weigh stations. Knowing the weight of your truck will ensure that you know if you need to stop and help you avoid a costly ticket for failing to do so.
Fuel Economy: An important aspect of planning a successful move is the budget appropriately, and your rental truck fuel costs should be part of that budget. Rental trucks are not extraordinarily fuel-efficient, and the more your truck weighs the lower your fuel economy will be. You could end up spending quite a bit on gas, especially if you are completing a long-distance move.
How Much do U-Haul, Penske, and Budget Trucks Weigh?
You may be looking for the weight of a truck you rented from a specific company, yeah? Well, today's your lucky day, because we've created a handy table that is broken down by truck size and rental company to help you approximate how much your rental truck weighs when it's fully loaded with all of your junk, err... priceless possessions.
Summary: A rented moving truck will have a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) between 8,600 pounds (4.3 tons) for a 10' truck and 26,000 pounds (13 tons) for a 26' truck.
| Truck Size | Rental Company | GVW (in Tons) |
|---|---|---|
| A rented moving truck will never exceed a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,001 lbs. This is because the Department of Transportation requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) when the GVW exceeds 26,001 lbs. | ||
| 10 Ft | U-Haul | 8,600 lbs (4.3 tons) |
| 12 Ft | Penske, Budget | 9,900 lbs - 10,050 lbs (5 tons) |
| 15 Ft | U-Haul | 14,500 lbs (7.25 tons) |
| 16 Ft | Penske, Budget | 12,500 lbs (6.25 tons) |
| 17 Ft | U-Haul | 14,500 lbs (7.25 tons) |
| 20 Ft | U-Haul | 14,500 lbs (7.25 tons) |
| 22 Ft | Penske | 17,000 lbs (8.5 tons) |
| 26 Ft | U-Haul, Penske, Budget | 26,000 lbs (13 tons) |