Do Storage Facilities Offer Moving Truck Rentals? How to Get a Free Moving Truck with Your Storage Rental

No matter how much planning you do ahead of time, moving tends to be unpredictable. 

From coordinating rental and packing time commitments to the actual packing and driving process, the tasks stack up at an overwhelming rate.

An obvious but significant piece of this puzzle involves finding a reliable moving truck and a secure place to stage your packed boxes before moving day.

These disconnected needs lead us to a common destination, your local storage facility, where we’re tempted to ask, “Do self-storage facilities offer moving truck rentals?” 

Lots of storage facilities offer moving truck rentals. Sometimes, they include moving truck rental deals for their tenants, and other times, they offer renters a free moving truck with a storage rentals bundle. The bundle can save you $50-150 on truck rental costs.

How do you find these package deals? When you search for storage here on Storage.com, facilities with free truck rentals will specify the moving truck amenity on their facility profile page. Most of the major national chains and many regional facilities in the Storage.com network offer truck rentals, with many offering moving truck rental deals. 

This article will go into detail about which storage and moving companies offer moving truck rental deals and how to identify them on our platform. We’ll dive into the requirements you’ll need to drive the rental out of the storage facility lot, and the use cases and restrictions that come with scoring a free moving truck with your storage rental.

Finally, we’ll reveal how to get the best moving truck deal. And remember, not all facilities offer these truck deals, but Storage.com’s signature search tool makes it easy to filter out the ones that do.  

Storage Companies That Offer Free or Discounted Moving Truck Rentals

The self-storage industry is growing rapidly. And as in any environment ripe with growth, competition is inevitable. Offering on-site rental trucks is a way for storage facilities to add value to their renters. In fact, the Self Storage Association reported way back in 2015 that one-third of self-storage facilities provided truck rentals. 

Think about it–a storage facility that both rents units and moving trucks crosses the two most immediate moving needs off your moving list. And that’s not to mention that storage facilities often sell packing supplies and moving boxes in their front office. 

Scoring a moving truck from the same location as your storage rental eliminates the hassle of coordinating pickups and drop-offs between a truck rental agency and your new unit during move-in.

And just like storage facilities offer a variety of unit sizes (check out our storage unit size guide for details), facilities offer different vehicle sizes, from a small pickup truck or cargo van to larger trucks with a tow dolly, loading ramp, and safety features like high-visibility mirrors. 

Commercial storage units, warehouse spaces, or vehicle storage facilities specializing in boat, RV, or trailer storage may even include loading docks in their infrastructure to streamline the process. 

How to Find Facilities with Free Moving Truck Rental Deals on Storage.com

Our online marketplace here at Storage.com makes finding self-storage facilities offering moving truck rentals as easy as:

1. Search Your Area: Enter your city or zip code into our storage search tool to see a list of available storage units near you.
2. Look for Amenity Tags: Scroll through our listings and keep an eye on the amenity tags attached to each one. Look for tags that either say “Free Truck Rental” or “Moving Truck Available.”
3. Filter Your Results: Use our filter feature to narrow your search so the results only show facilities that offer a moving truck.
4. Review Facility Pages: Click on a specific facility to view a detailed breakdown of their truck rental program, including the requirements, terms, time commitments, time limits, and any other restrictions.

Our streamlined storage search platform allows you to compare multiple options side-by-side. And you can set as many amenity filters as you want.

For example, you can isolate your search results to find a 5×15 unit with drive-up access at a facility that offers moving truck rental deals.

Top Regional Self-Storage Chains Offering Moving Truck Rentals

While availability can vary by location, many reputable regional and national self-storage chains have integrated free truck rentals into their service offerings. This is a key competitive advantage they use to attract new customers. Some of the well-known brands where you are likely to find this perk include:

• Public Storage
• Extra Space Storage
• CubeSmart
• Secure Self Storage
• Access Self Storage

Pro Tip: We suggest the facility’s Storage.com page first to confirm this amenity and then calling the specific location you’re interested in to confirm they offer truck rentals. Even within the same company, policies and vehicle availability can differ based on region and branch location.

Are “Free” Moving Truck Storage Rentals Actually Free?

There’s no doubt that the word “free” pops out at us. Not only does it pique our interest. But thanks to being bombarded with false marketing promises, “free” also triggers a healthy skepticism. Can you actually use the truck for three days while you move from Tucson to Phoenix? And if not, then what does a free moving truck rental actually mean?

In most cases, when storage facilities offer a free move-in truck deal, they mean you can use a truck to transport your items when you move into your newly rented storage unit. It’s not intended for moving from one home to another or for other personal transportation errands.

The “free” part almost always refers to the base rental fee, but there are a few other costs, terms, and restrictions to keep in mind while you’re budgeting.

Common Terms and Restrictions

Storage facilities will outline specific terms and restrictions on their free truck offers to keep the truck available and ready to go for all new storage unit tenants.

• Time Limits: The most common free move-in truck structure offers a 4-hour rental window. Some storage facilities will offer a full business day of use from 8 AM to 5 PM, but this is pretty rare. Either way, failing to return the truck within the time limit can result in significant late fees, so plan accordingly.
• Mileage Caps: The free move-in truck offer usually includes a mileage limit of  20-50 miles round-trip to keep renters within the boundaries of local moves. If you go over the mileage cap, expect to pay a mileage fee between $0.50 and $1.50 per mile, which is within the standard rental truck price range.
• Usage: The free truck offer is part of a storage unit move-in service, and the storage company expects that you’ll use it to move items into your unit at that specific facility. Free move-in truck offers aren’t intended for cross-town or long-distance moves.
• Gasoline Fuel Tank Policy: You are almost always required to return the truck with the same amount of fuel it had at pickup. For example, if the tank was full, you need to fill it back ot full before returning it. If you picked up the truck with a tank that was 75% full, it only needs to be 75% full when you drop it off.

What You’ll Pay For:

Total Out-of-Pocket Price for a Free Move-In Truck: $80-$160 plus any extra mileage fees you accumulate. That said, you’ll get $50-$100 of that back when they refund your deposit, as long as there’s no damage.

Requirements to Qualify For a Free Move-In Truck

You’ll have to comply with the local laws and insurance companies’ requirements to qualify for that free truck rental. These requirements include:

• Valid Driver’s License: You’ll have to show the storage operator a valid Driver’s License to drive their truck. They’ll check that the license is yours, that it’s not expired, and your age, as most facilities and insurance policies will want you to be at least 21 years old.
• Proof of Insurance: You’ll either need to have and show proof of your personal auto insurance coverage or purchase whatever temporary insurance policy the facility offers. Your storage unit rental insurance may not cover the truck, even if it covers the contents you’re transporting.
• Credit Card: Facilities often require a major credit card for the security deposit. Debit cards are often not accepted since there’s no way for them to know if you’ve got the funds to cover any damages in your bank account.
• Active Storage Rental: Since free move-in truck deals are for new renters loading their belongings into their unit for the first time, you’ll have to rent a storage unit in the facility to qualify for the truck. Some facilities might even require you to rent a minimum storage unit size of 10×10.
• New Customer Status: Since facilities often market the free move-in truck rental perk exclusively toward new tenants, it’s not enough to rent a storage unit in the facility to qualify for the truck. You also have to be a first-month renter.

Keep in mind that availability is also a factor. These free-moving trucks with storage rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We suggest scheduling your truck use time and date at the same time you reserve your storage unit and sign your lease, especially during the May-September peak moving season.

How to Get the Best Moving Truck Rental Deals

Now that you understand the reality of using a storage facility’s free move-in truck deal, here are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re still scoring the best deal overall.

Step 1: Compare Total Costs

The “free” truck is only one component of your total storage cost. A facility offering a free truck might have a slightly higher monthly rent than a competitor that does not. To find the true value, do a quick calculation.

The following example comparisons illustrate the cost of relocating your belongings 25 miles from your home to storage (a 50-mile round trip) in the Staten Island, NY/Woodbridge, NJ area. The first storage unit offers a free truck rental, the second doesn’t.

• Access Self Storage of Woodbridge
  • 10×10 Storage Unit: $209/month
  • Truck Rental: $0 (50-mile limit, customer must refuel)
  • Admin Fee: $25.00
  • Truck Insurance: $25
  • Gas: $20
  • Total Initial Cost: $279.45 (plus a refundable deposit)
• CubeSmart Self Storage – NY Staten Island Wild Avenue:
  • 10×10 Storage Unit: $124.50/month
  • Uhaul Truck Rental: $30 base + $ 50 ($0.99/mile for 50 miles) = $80
  • Admin Fee: $29.00
  • Truck Insurance $25
  • Gas: $20
  • Total Initial Cost: $278.5

Here you see that you’re paying around the same for the first month of storage at both units. But you are doing extra legwork and driving in the second scenario, whereas the first unit offers you a one-stop shop. That said, as soon as you’ve moved into the unit, you’re paying $84.50 more per month for the unit that gave you the free truck.

But these numbers aren’t consistent either. For example, the CubeSmart Self Storage – Staten Island on Richmond Terrace is offering deals on 10×10 units for $112.45 per month, AND they offer a free truck use for up to 50 miles, giving you the best of both worlds.

The point of Step 1 isn’t to assume that you’ll pay more for a unit with a free truck access; it’s to do your research and compare costs before you commit.

I used the Storage.com search tool to find the units and compare their truck offerings and monthly unit rental prices, and you can too.

Step 2: Ask Questions

Once you’ve used Storage.com to find the most cost-effective facility in your area, give them a call or reach out through our platform and ask specific questions to avoid any surprises or hidden fees.

• “I see you offer a free move-in truck. Can you confirm its availability for my move-in date of [Insert Date]?”
• “What size trucks are part of the free rental program?”
• “What are the exact time and mileage limitations for the free offer?”
• “Could you walk me through all the requirements, including the driver’s age, license, and insurance?”
• “What is the total amount I’ll need to pay on pickup day, including the deposit and any fees?”
• “What is your policy if I am late returning the truck?”

Getting clear answers to these questions ensures you have all the facts you need to make an educated decision.

Step 3: Book Strategically

The most significant variable with free truck rentals is availability, as storage facilities usually have a limited fleet of trucks that they also rent out to paying customers. You can be sure there’s a truck available for your move-in date by following these tips:

• Avoid Peak Moving Times:
  • Mid-Week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are far less busy than weekends.
  • Mid-Month: Avoid the beginning-and-end-of-month rush when leases end, and residential and unit rentals turn over.
  • Off-Season: The moving truck demand is lower from October to April.
  • Morning Slots: Book the first slot of the day to get a fresh start and avoid waiting on other renters to return the truck.
• Book in Advance:
  • During peak season, book your truck and storage unit 4-6 weeks before you need them. 
  • In the off-season, 1-2 weeks might be enough. Never wait until the day of your move to inquire.

Making the Most of The Free Moving Truck With Your Storage Rental

Again, the truck storage rental period is often limited to four hours. We suggest putting an early preparation and loading strategy together so you can get everything done on time while avoiding late fees.

Before Pickup Day

What you do before you even pick up the keys to the truck will determine your success.

• Gather Supplies: Have all your moving boxes and packing supplies like tape, markers, and bubble wrap ready to go.
• Pack in Advance: Ensure every box is packed, sealed, and clearly labeled long before moving day.
• Stage Everything: Move all boxes and furniture to a single, easily accessible location like the garage or living room. This minimizes time spent running through the house.
• Recruit Helpers: Having 2-3 friends or family members alerted in advance and standing by to cut your loading and unloading time by more than half.
• Disassemble Furniture: Take apart and stage bed frames, tables, and other large items before moving day. Put all the hardware in labeled sandwich bags and tape it to an unpainted part of the furniture that isn’t visible when fully assembled.
• Pick Out a Gas Station: Find the closest gas station to the storage facility and save the address in your phone or maps.

When You Pick the Truck Up

1. Inspect the truck thoroughly and take photos: Before driving the truck off the lot, inspect the truck and document any damages you see, no matter how minor. With photographs to ensure there are no disputes over the cause of those damages later on.
2. Note fuel level: Record the rental truck’s gasoline fuel tank level and show it to the storage operator to establish a clear baseline of the vehicle’s condition and avoid potential disputes.
3. Keep the storage facility’s contact number handy: Get the contact number of the facility you’re picking the truck up from in case any questions or concerns come up while driving or loading.
4. Start loading immediately: Start loading the truck as soon as you finish steps 1-3 to stay on schedule and meet your deadline.

When Loading Your Rental Truck

Employing a loading system and sticking to a loose schedule can help you stay on track to meet your deadline. Use tools like carts and dollies to move heavy items faster, and don’t forget to strap things down for transport.

Loading Tips:

• Heavy Items First: Place appliances, sofas, and heavy boxes at the front of the truck (near the cab) and along the walls.
• Distribute Weight Evenly: Balance the weight on each wall to keep the truck stable.
• Build Tiers: Create solid tiers of boxes, placing heavier ones at the bottom. Fill gaps with softer items like clothes, towels, blankets, and empty duffel bags.
• Protect Valuables: Pack valuables and glass items in bubble wrap and keep them away from any loose, heavy objects. Load fragile items and electronics last so they can be unloaded first. Keep them in the truck’s cab with you if you can.
  • Note: A climate-controlled unit is ideal for protecting these sensitive items from temperature extremes.

Sample 4-Hour Timeline:

• 30 Minutes: Drive to the facility, complete paperwork, inspect and document the truck’s state, and drive to the place you staged everything for pick up.
• 1.5 Hours: Load the truck.
• 30 minutes: Drive to the storage facility, refueling the truck at the closest gas station to the facility on the way.
• 1 Hour: Unload the truck into your unit. Scoring a drive-up storage unit with direct drive-up access is a huge time-saver here.

Alternatives to Free Moving Trucks with Storage Rentals

In some situations, a free move-in truck is just what you need. But it’s not the ideal solution in all cases, and understanding its limitations and weighing the alternatives is a critical part of the planning process.

When Free Moving Trucks with Storage Rentals Don’t Make Sense

• You’re Moving Long-Distance: The mileage caps on the free rental trucks are typically 50 miles or less. Long-distance or even inter-city moves.
• You Need Multiple Days: If your move is complicated or detailed and requires more than a single day (or a few hours), the strict return timeframe won’t work for you.
• You Aren’t Moving into Storage: The free move-in truck offer is only available for new tenants who are moving items into their storage units, not for those moving from one residence or business to another. If you’re using a storage unit to stage stuff for moving, this means you can move from the old house into the unit with the free rental truck, once, for 4 hours. But won’t be able use it to move from the unit to your new place. 
• You Need Flexibility: If your moving schedule is erratic, as in your moving overnight or making multiple trips, the strict free rental truck schedule probably isn’t ideal.
• Trucks Are Unavailable: If you’re moving during a peak moving season or busy time of the week or month, the free trucks may all be spoken for.

Alternative Moving Truck Rental Deals

• Traditional Truck Rentals (U-Haul, Penske, Budget): These moving truck rental companies charge a base day rate plus a mileage fee, but offer a wide range of truck sizes at different prices. If you need a one-way rental, a moving solution for moving houses, businesses, or long-distance, or a flexible multi-day rental period, a traditional truck rental is better than the limited free move-in truck special.
• Portable Storage Containers (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell): Portable storage containers are ideal if you need a flexible packing timeline. A container is dropped off at your home, you load it at your own pace, and the company transports it to your new location or a storage facility.
• Professional Moving Companies: For large, complex, or long-distance moves, hiring professional movers is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive. They handle all the loading, transportation, unloading, and logistics. For a fully hands-off experience, you can also hire professional packers.

Is the Free Moving Truck With Storage Move-In Deal Worth It?

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of the situations where using the free move-in truck special is worth it, and when it’s more helpful just to rent a truck. Here’s a quick cost breakdown to help you make your final decision.

A free truck is worth it if:

In these scenarios, you can save between $150 and $500 on a moving truck rental fee, depending on the size of the truck.

A free truck isn’t ideal if:

In these cases, the stress of rushing through the process and the risk of late fees probably outweigh the financial savings.

The Final Call On Free Moving Truck With Storage Deals: Free truck deals are legitimate money-savers for local, organized moves into storage. The restrictions are real, but if you can work within them, you’ll save money and simplify your move. At the end of the day, if your situation organically aligns with the program’s intended use, a free moving truck deal adds value to your storage rental and streamlines your move into the unit.

How Storage.com Can Help Find Self-Storage Facilities Offering Moving Truck Rentals

We started this journey with a simple question: Do storage facilities offer moving truck rentals? Lots of storage units double as cargo vans and moving truck rental services. Some offer moving truck rental deals, while others offer a free moving truck with your storage rental. 

The free move-in truck offers make the most sense if you’re planning to move some things into storage and your stuff is already organized. 

If needs match the intended use case outlined by the storage facility, and you can work within their 4-hour time limits, mileage caps, and insurance requirements, the free truck rental deal can save you between $100 and $500, depending on the truck size and distance you’re moving. 

The easiest way to find storage facilities with truck rentals or free truck promos in your area is to use our Storage.com signature search tool. Type in your city or zip code, and check the “Free Truck Rental” box to filter your results based on moving truck availability.

We have amenity filters that isolate all kinds of features, including specific storage unit sizes, unit alarms, drive-up access, and climate-controlled units that protect sensitive items from temperature extremes.

Once you use our platform to find the ideal unit, call ahead to confirm they have a truck available and schedule your move-in date with them as soon as you sign the lease.  

And remember, do a quick cost comparison like the one we demonstrated above to make sure you’re getting the best deal in your area.

Storage.com lists thousands of local storage facilities across the U.S. on our site, making it easy to find the storage solution that best fits your needs. All you have to do is choose a storage unit and your move-in date, and we’ll take care of the rest.