A Practical Guide to Freight Trailer Moving

Moving with a semi-trailer is easy and affordable

A 28-foot semi-trailer isn't usually the first thing people think of when planning a long-distance move, but for many households, it ends up being one of the best fits. That’s because it offers a combination of space, flexibility and value that’s hard to find with other types of moving equipment.

Let’s go over everything you should know about freight trailer moving. Some of it might surprise you!

How moving in a freight trailer works

Did you know that freight trailer moving services are among the most affordable and efficient? It's true.

You get all the space you need to move your things but keep all the self-moving advantages, like control over packing and savings on moving labor.

Here's how it typically works:

• Delivery. A company (like U-Pack®) delivers a 28-foot trailer to your home
• Loading. You (or your hired labor crew) load your belongings into the trailer
• Pickup. Once everything is loaded and secured, you schedule a pickup
• Transportation. A professional driver will collect the trailer and transport it to your new home
• Unloading. The trailer is delivered and you unload

Note: U-Pack allows 3 business days for loading and another 3 business days for unloading.

Important things to know

There's more to freight trailer moving than packing and loading. Here are a few things to know before choosing this equipment option.

They’re great for moves of all sizes

Fully loaded moving trailers are made to hold belongings from a moderately furnished 3- to 4-bedroom house. Because you can adjust the amount of space you use, the equipment can also be a good fit for smaller homes and apartments, especially when moving to another state.

The trailer is bigger than you might think

U-Pack uses pup trailers, which are approximately 28’ long with over 1,900 cubic feet of loading space. The usable space inside freight trailers is taller than in most rental trucks, so you can take advantage of the vertical space.

This helps you get the most value for your money since prices are based on linear footage (the horizontal space used), and you’re less likely to run out of room than with a rental truck.

Weight won’t be an issue

While some moving options, like full-service van lines, charge based on weight, freight trailer moving doesn’t require knowing the weight of your belongings.

U-Pack trailer moving costs are calculated based on the space used inside the equipment, measured in linear feet, never the weight of the shipment.

But if you’re worried about exceeding weight limits, don’t worry! U-Pack trailers can haul 22,500 lbs. of belongings — that's the weight of 3 average elephants! A full load of household goods rarely exceeds 13,000 lbs.

Learn more about U-Pack trailer dimensions.

You’ll use a loading ramp

Because freight trailers sit several feet off the ground, U-Pack includes a sturdy loading ramp designed specifically for the equipment. It provides a safer, easier way to move belongings in and out of the trailer without the challenge of lifting everything up to trailer height.

Ready to check your trailer moving price with U-Pack?

Want to try U-Pack for your out-of-state move? Get your free, no-obligation quote online today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re thrilled for the opportunity to help you start a new adventure!

If you have questions about trailer moving or U-Pack services, let us know in the comments. We’re here to help!

Considering a different moving solution? U-Pack also offers ReloCube® moving containers.