Moving day is the most common reason people rent a utility trailer. "Will my stuff fit?" is the most common question. Here's the actual answer for a 3-bedroom house.
Quick answer
For a typical 1,800–2,400 sq ft 3-bedroom home, you have two viable rental options:
- Option A: One trip with a larger trailer (16–20 ft enclosed cargo trailer, ~$200/day rented). Single load, but harder to find for rent.
- Option B: Multiple trips with a 6×16 or 7×16 open utility trailer. Typical 3-bedroom takes 2–3 trips. Cheaper, more flexible scheduling.
Most folks moving locally pick Option B. It's cheaper, the trailer is easier to maneuver, and most furniture survives an open trailer ride for a 5–20 mile local move if you tarp it.
How much fits in a 6×16 utility trailer
Real-world load estimates for our 6×16 Delco tandem-axle utility trailer (6 feet wide × 16 feet long deck, 7,000 lb GVWR):
Per trip, a 6×16 holds roughly:
- 1 queen mattress + box spring + bed frame
- 1 dresser + 2 nightstands
- 1 sofa + 1 loveseat
- 1 dining table + 4–6 chairs
- About 15–20 medium moving boxes
- A few floor lamps or smaller items in the gaps
That's roughly the contents of one bedroom + the living room, or two bedrooms with no living-room furniture.
3-bedroom house = how many trips?
It depends on what's in the house. A reasonable breakdown for a typical 3-bedroom:
| House profile | Trips with a 6×16 |
|---|---|
| 3-bedroom, 1 occupant, minimal stuff | 2 trips |
| 3-bedroom, 2 occupants, average furniture | 3 trips |
| 3-bedroom, family of 4, full furniture + kid stuff | 4 trips |
| 3-bedroom with garage workshop or large patio set | 4–5 trips |
What slows you down
1. Loading and unloading
Each trip is roughly: 60 min to load + 30 min drive (each way) + 60 min to unload = 3–4 hours. So 3 trips is a full day with 2 helpers.
2. Big single items
A king bed, a sectional sofa, or a large entertainment center can take 30–45 minutes just to wrap and load. Plan accordingly.
3. Tarp it if it's open trailer
Our 6×16 is open. For a local same-day move, that's fine. If it's a longer drive or there's rain in the forecast, you NEED a tarp. We sell straps and we can talk you through tying down a tarp properly.
Money math
For a 3-bedroom move, 3 trips with our 6×16 at $95/day (you can do all 3 trips in one day) = $95 total, plus optional add-ons:
- Ratchet strap rental: +$15
- Damage protection waiver: +$12
- Local delivery if you don't have a tow vehicle: per-mile quote
Compare to U-Haul box truck: $40 base + $0.99/mile. For a 20-mile local move with 3 trips (~120 miles), that's $40 + $119 = $159. Plus fuel.
What if you have to make ONE trip?
If you genuinely have a one-shot move (you're driving 200 miles to a new city and can't make multiple trips), don't try to cram a 3-bedroom into a 6×16. You'll either:
- Leave stuff behind (annoying)
- Stack it too high and lose things on the highway (dangerous)
- Pile soft goods on hard furniture and break stuff (frustrating)
For a one-shot 3-bedroom move, you want a 26-foot rental truck (U-Haul, Penske) or a 20+ foot enclosed cargo trailer. Different beast, different price.
Pro tips from people who've done this
- Disassemble what you can. Bed frames, tables, anything with screws. Trailers fit way more stuff with flat panels than with assembled furniture.
- Load heavy stuff first, against the front wall. Keeps tongue weight where it should be.
- Strap big items individually, not just the whole pile. Stuff shifts on bumps and turns.
- Take photos of how electronics are wired before you unplug. You will not remember the cable routing.
- Pack a "first night" box with toothbrush, sheets, coffee, phone charger. Don't bury this in the trailer.
Need a trailer for moving in San Antonio?
Browse our 6×16 Delco utility trailer rental, see our service area for delivery options, or call (210) 338-0883.