Can I fit a queen sized mattress/couch/other furniture in an SUV?

[eLiu]

Hi all,
I'm moving into a new apartment in August, and I'm wondering if I can do it with a car like a Honda Element, Ford Escape, Scion xB, etc.

I'll need to haul mattresses (queen), couches (probably love-seat type or maybe 3 seats), tables (dining, coffee), etc. Will this kind of furniture fit into one of the aformentioned cars (or something of comparable size) or do I need to get a pickup?

If it isn't clear, I'm OK with only being able to fit 1 or 2 items at a time and making multiple trips. I'm most concerned with knowing whether these items will fit at all.

Thanks in advance,
-Eric

 

[minendo]

I used my Durango to haul everything you mentioned except the mattress. I could have tied it down to the roof rack, but I borrowed a friend's pickup instead.

 

[Bignate603]

If you're doubting that it will fit you can rent a van from U-haul. It will probably cost you $40-50 for the day, plus gas.

 

[mugs]

The mattress and dining room table probably won't fit.

 

[AlienCraft]

Multiple trips will negate the cost of a truck.
Rent a truck, load it all once, tie it down securly, move it once, profit.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
Multiple trips will negate the cost of a truck.

Depends on how far he's moving.

 

[RGN]

A queen mattress is 60"x80"
A Scion xB is 66"x155" on the outside. http://www.scion-tech.org/w/im...on_xB_Overview_011.jpg


Now... Tell me how that is gonna work?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: RGN
A queen mattress is 60"x80"
A Scion xB is 66"x155" on the outside. http://www.scion-tech.org/w/im...on_xB_Overview_011.jpg


Now... Tell me how that is gonna work?

He could tie it to the roof.

 

[eLiu]

Ok, sounds like I'll just get a truck for the big stuff.

I was asking b/c I could get cars like a Scion or Element for about $10/hr which is quite a bit cheaper than Uhaul (I'm traveling short distances). But saving a few bucks isn't worth the hassle of tying stuff to the roof or having stuff not fit at all.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: eLiu
Ok, sounds like I'll just get a truck for the big stuff.

I was asking b/c I could get cars like a Scion or Element for about $10/hr which is quite a bit cheaper than Uhaul (I'm traveling short distances). But saving a few bucks isn't worth the hassle of tying stuff to the roof or having stuff not fit at all.

Rent a truck from Home Depot or Lowe's, $20 for the first 75 minutes. If you need it for longer than that, U-haul is probably cheaper.

 

[911paramedic]

U-haul is probably the way to go. I can fit a queen in the back of my expedition, but just barely, so anything smaller and I'd guess "no".

A pickup will run you $24 a day, but they hit you with a ton of mileage. I would rent one of their moving trucks for $50-80 that has unlimited mileage and you could do it all in one haul.

 

[HannibalX]

Buy a tape measure.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
U-haul is probably the way to go. I can fit a queen in the back of my expedition, but just barely, so anything smaller and I'd guess "no".

A pickup will run you $24 a day, but they hit you with a ton of mileage. I would rent one of their moving trucks for $50-80 that has unlimited mileage and you could do it all in one haul.

Best idea but I would go with Penskie or Budget. uHaul is terrible. There is no garuntee they will have your reserved truck the day you go pick it up. Plus their trucks are worn out. I have had two trucks from them with failing brakes!

 

[johnjbruin]

U-Haul is better than zipcar (assumption from the rate you specified) for local moves for things like small sofas and mattresses.
U-haul is also just $20/day vs. zipcar's $10 an hour.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
Multiple trips will negate the cost of a truck.
Rent a truck, load it all once, tie it down securly, move it once, profit.

No profit in paying

 

[d3n]

After moving 8 times in 6 years with the military and then back into civilian life I would say forget your options unless you can get a full sized van or a large minivan like a Sienna with the seats out. I would avoid U haul at all costs and go strait to Penske. I have yet to have a bad experience with Penske. You'll waste more in gas and time trying to work with a smaller car, not to mention knocking the crap out of your furniture,car paint and the upholstery. Go for the 14 or 16 ft truck as the best value.

 

[d3n]

http://www.pensketruckrental.com/personal_rental/

Looks like it would be about $80 plus taxes, gas and a fee or two for a 12 or 16 ft truck. Please don't risk anything with Uhaul unless you know the dealer is respectable. They may quote cheaper but you get dinged with deposits and fuel capoff fees and whatever else they tack on. The truck may catch fire on you so you'll want renters insurance as it covers damage during a move.

I would budget for the full sized truck, It'll save a piece of furniture or two and your sanity depending on how much you have.

 

[bobsmith1492]

You could rent or borrow a trailer as well. I just helped a friend move his family and they used two trailers they already had. They were just basic, open, flatbed trailers. We put a fridge, freezer, washer, drier, and bookshelf in one. The other had a couch, queen mattress and spring set, two twin mattresses, all the frames, plus boxes of stuff. Make sure it's tied down securely though.

EDIT: Something like this

 

[amdskip]

Hauling a queen bed on top of a civic can be done. Friends + rope =

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I've hauled a queen bed on my ford explorer (rip ) w/ the rear seats down fine.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If you can get your hands on something that can actually haul stuff like a minivan instead of minisuvs then you will be ok. I've hauled all that crap in my old caravan. The only thing you would have to put on the top is the box spring. The mattresses have enough flex in them that you can shove them in if you want too.

 

[thomsbrain]

I agree that you are much better off renting a real moving van for any kind of furniture moving. Mattresses strapped to roofs slip out of their ropes and fly off REALLY easily. You'd be amazed. The cost of the van is negligible when you figure how much easier it will make it.

Avoid U-Haul like the plague, though. I have had nothing but bad experiences with them, every single time, from multiple locations. Despite what they say ahead of time, they do NOT reserve VEHICLES, they only reserve REQUESTS for vehicles (and they tend to lose those, too), so on the day of the move it is luck of the draw whether or not they will actually have the truck you want, regardless of how much advance notice they had. Also, requests made online often do not make it to the actual branch, so you'll walk in and they'll have no idea who you are. The trucks are generally rusted-out skeletons from the late 1980's with mirrors fused tight by rust, engines not firing on all cylinders, and dirty cargo areas.

I highly recommend Public Storage for moving vans. They contract through Penske, but their prices are lower than Penske for local moves. They are also lower than U-Haul in some situations. I have never rented a truck from any of their locations that had more than 30,000 miles, they were clean, and they always had my reservation ready for the specific truck (each location usually only has one or two trucks, and they only do local moves, so the trucks are always accounted for). I've never had a complaint with a truck I've rented through them.

 

[Gibson486]

My mom had the Toyota van. I barely fit a full size when i was moving. I'd rent a big ass uhaul. Multiple trips stink because it just adds to an already tiresome process.