Quick truck size chart for house shifting
Think of this as a field guide, not a final quote. BHK size gives the first clue, but actual goods volume decides the vehicle. A bachelor 1 BHK in Sector 56 and a family 1 BHK with solid wood furniture are not the same load.
| Vehicle | Usual space | Best fit | Common local range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Ace, chota hathi | 100 to 130 CFT | Few items, PG goods, 1 RK | Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,500 |
| Bolero pickup | 150 to 220 CFT | Compact 1 BHK | Rs 2,500 to Rs 6,500 |
| Tata 407 | 250 to 320 CFT | Heavy 1 BHK or light 2 BHK | Rs 4,000 to Rs 9,000 |
| 14 ft Eicher or Canter | 350 to 450 CFT | Most 2 BHK moves | Rs 6,000 to Rs 14,000 |
| 17 ft or 19 ft container | 500 to 700 CFT | 3 BHK, heavy 2 BHK, intercity | Rs 9,000 to Rs 22,000 |
| 22 ft or 32 ft truck | 800 CFT plus | 4 BHK, villa, office | Survey-based quote |
Why CFT beats BHK guessing
CFT means cubic feet. Packers movers use it because truck space fills by volume first. One plastic chair is light but bulky. Books are heavy but compact. A glass dining table needs space around it because it cannot be crushed between cartons. That is why two homes with the same BHK can need different vehicles.
We usually keep a 10 to 15 percent buffer above the estimated CFT. If the move has a TV unit, glass table, plants, odd-size furniture or intercity distance, the buffer matters even more. Tight loading may save a few hundred rupees on paper and damage goods on the road. Bad bargain, honestly.
Small vehicles: Tata Ace, chota hathi and Bolero pickup
A Tata Ace or chota hathi is useful for single items, PG goods, a mattress, bags, cartons, small appliances and short local moves. It should not be sold as a full 1 BHK solution unless the load is very light. A Bolero pickup gives more deck space and handles compact 1 BHK moves better.
Small vehicles work best when pickup and drop access is easy. If the truck must wait outside a tower gate, or the crew needs to carry goods from basement to service lift, labour and waiting can cost more than the vehicle. Compare the vehicle quote with labour charges before you accept a very cheap rate.
Mid-size trucks: Tata 407 and 14 ft Eicher
Tata 407 is the bridge between mini truck and proper home-shifting truck. It is useful for a heavy 1 BHK, a light 2 BHK or a small office setup. A 14 ft Eicher or Canter is the usual safer choice for a proper 2 BHK because it gives enough room for beds, sofa, appliances and cartons in one trip.
If a mover says your normal 2 BHK will fit into a mini truck, ask them to put the vehicle size and second-trip rule in writing. The right comparison is not just rate. Compare truck size, number of helpers, packing scope, GST invoice, waiting rule and whether the quote is vehicle-only or packers movers service.
Large container trucks for 3 BHK, 4 BHK and intercity moves
A 17 ft or 19 ft closed container truck is usually better for 3 BHK moves, heavy 2 BHK homes and longer routes. For a 4 BHK, villa or office move, the mover may suggest 22 ft or larger vehicle after survey. Closed container helps with rain, dust, highway halts and basic pilferage protection.
For intercity shifting, do not judge the truck only by length. Ask whether it is dedicated or shared, whether goods will be transloaded, whether the container can be sealed, and how the inventory list is checked at delivery. The transit insurance guide is worth reading before a long-distance load leaves your gate.
Open body vs closed body truck
Open body tempo can work for short local few-items moves when the weather is clear and goods are properly covered. Closed body truck is better for packed household goods, expensive electronics, mattresses, monsoon moves and intercity transport. If the mover uses tarpaulin, ask how it will be tied and whether goods will be exposed during loading.
The price gap between open and closed body can look tempting. Still, a wet mattress or scratched wooden furniture is more expensive than the saving. For the detailed decision, read open vs closed body truck for shifting.
How to ask the mover for the right vehicle
Send photos or a video survey of every room, not only a WhatsApp list of big items. Mention floor, lift, basement height, tower-to-gate distance, parking permission, loading slot and route. A good mover will map the vehicle after seeing your actual load. A weak quote will only say "tempo aa jayega" and keep the size vague.
Before paying an advance, ask for truck type, labour count, packing scope, GST, insurance, waiting rule and second-trip cost. You can verify quote partners through our verification method, and you can use the Verify Packers Movers tool if GST is being charged.