Many Movers Change Trucks’ Sizes After Loading Your Household Goods
- American National Movers
- Jul 2, 2025
- 4 min read
Before owning American National Movers, I worked for several local and long distance moving companies, and they would advise me not to disclose which truck they use to deliver your household goods. Relocation brands get away with it because initially, they pick up your items with a 26-foot box truck, but that's usually not the truck that will be delivering your household goods. This lack of transparency usually results in consumer dissatisfaction due to extended delivery wait times, damage, and lost items.
26-Foot Truck At Pick-up Location
Due to long packing wait times and loading issues with semi-trailers, movers always pick up your inventory in a 26-foot box truck. However, it’s important not to assume that this will be the same truck transporting your household goods. If you did not pay for a dedicated truck service, the 26-foot truck that loaded your shipment is being used as a shuttle to return your items to a local dispatch warehouse. Once the truck arrives, your items are unloaded and eventually reloaded onto a huge 18-wheeler truck with 5 or 6 loads belonging to the movers' customers.
 Most Movers Use 18-Wheeler Trucks To Deliver
While this transportation method is used by 95 percent of state to state moving companies and has worked for several families, movers who use an 18-wheeler for delivery face several drawbacks.
Slow Delivery times:
Sharing a truck with 5 or 6 other households, all relocating to a different state, is why many people complain that long-distance moving companies take too long to deliver.
High Risk Of Damage:
Imagine all of your items shared in a semi that can hold up to 80,000 pounds of cargo. Items of sentimental value or considered high-end are likely to be damaged during this mode of transportation.
High Risk Of Lost Items:
Loading and unloading a truck multiple times can and has been reported to cause lost items. Some interstate moving companies are more sloppier than others with this process.
Hidden Fees:
If the 18-wheeler truck can’t legally park within a reasonable distance of the loading dock or driveway, you are charged with a long carry fee or a shuttle truck fee. This can cost anywhere between an additional $700.00 to $1,500.00
Why This Is an Industry Secret
The reason many movers aren’t open about the size of the truck they use to transport your goods is because they don’t want you to know you’re going to be truck sharing in a semi, despite paying $8,000+ dollars.
Damage Complaints:Â
Sharing a truck in an 18-wheeler is associated with a high risk of damage to fragile or high-value items. Many people are okay with taking these risks, but time-sensitive loads, fragile shipments, or 4+ bedroom clients generally are not if they are told.
Profit Margin:Â
Many interstate moving companies use an 18-wheeler truck to deliver, consolidating shipments to reduce operational expenses and maximize profits. However, their relocation costs often do not reflect the cost of a shared vehicle — paying a brand upwards of $8,000 and still getting a shared load is not always the best option.
Delivery Delays:Â
When your truck is loaded onto an 18-wheeler, it remains stationed at a holding/storage facility until the truck is reasonably full. Consequently, non-direct-delivery movers will quote up to 21 business days for delivery, to give themselves time to figure out the logistics of your move.
Shuttle Fees:
Most 18-wheelers experience access issues upon arrival in your destination state. This means the truck cannot park in front of your residential or commercial address unless it is blocking traffic. As a result, movers charge you a shuttle fee to unload your goods and load it onto a smaller truck so that they can access your location and complete the delivery. This hidden fee can unexpectedly add hundreds of dollars to your final bill right at the very end of your move.
The Solution: Dedicated Box Truck Service
To avoid the stress of surprise shuttle fees, long delivery windows, and the risk of lost or damaged items, you need to explicitly request a dedicated box truck for your move. Many moving brands will charge a massive premium to do this. For smaller companies with limited fleets and service areas, offering a dedicated truck might not even be possible.
However, American National Movers offers exclusive, dedicated box-truck relocations at an average cost of $7,500. That means you can get a private, direct delivery for the exact same price most other companies charge to shove your belongings onto a crowded, shared 18-wheeler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequent questions people ask when researching trucks and movers:
How Big of A Moving Truck I Need For a 4-Bedroom House?
Four-bedroom homes usually require two 26-foot trucks or a semi to haul everything out of your previous address. A single 26-foot truck is almost always too small for a 4-bedroom home, since larger homes often have a basement, a garage, and other miscellaneous items.
What Size Trucks Do Most Movers Use?
Most movers use a 26-foot truck to load your household goods and transfer them to an 18-wheeler for delivery. This is a critical factor to keep in mind if you are worried about a truck not fitting at your location or if your priority with movers is speed and safety.
What Is The Best Truck To Use For Interstate Relocations?
If your move is not too big, a 26-foot truck with a lift gate is the best option for moving furniture across state lines. For renting a truck, consider Penske. Their trucks are clean and have lift gates for easier loading and unloading. 4+ bedrooms are better served by professional long distance movers, or you would need two 26-foot trucks to relocate everything, which poses many challenges.