5 Ways To Transport Big Items That Will not Fit In Your Car, gathered in one list

Updated 2018

If we had a dollar for every time someone asked “Wait, you folks do all this Hands-on but you do not own a truck?” – let us simply say we’d be able to afford a big ol’ truck. But we enjoy being a single-car household and for years owned a modestly sized Nissan Altima (we now have a small SUV, a Toyota Highlander). So over the years, we have certainly had to get creative when it comes to getting large items home – furniture, lumber, tools, etc. So if you find yourself unable to transport something with the vehicle you drive, here are a few ways that we have found a solution.

Hauling Pointer #1: Ask At The Store

Did you know you can rent a pick-up truck directly from Home Depot and Lowe’s? It is typically simply $19 for the first $75, so it can be a especially convenient, affordable, and low-stress option. We have rented from both stores SEVERAL TIMES to transport everything from large rented tools, long PVC piping, drywall sheets, hardwood flooring, and oversized bathroom reno materials (and some breakfast bagels while we were at it).

Typically they are meant for hauling items picked up at that particular store, but we once had someone rent one to pick up a Craigslist item from our house. They were able to swing by, grab the mattress, and swiftly get the truck back to Home Depot with plenty of time to spare.

Hauling Pointer #2: Find A “Man With A Van”

Check your neighborhood message boards – like Facebook, Nextdoor, or Craigslist – to see if there is a neighbor or other “helper for hire” who will assist pick-up items for a small fee. Sites like TaskRabbit even offer furniture pick-up or moving. The brought in bonus is that you likely get some assist lifting or moving large or heavy objects too. Simply use your best judgment when hiring a stranger and be prepared to be patient and flexible based on their availability. And be creative too – someone with a trailer could be a strong option for hauling junk or piles of reno trash to dump, rather than renting a dumpster.

Hauling Pointer: #3: Give It Away

If you need assist getting rid of a large item, find a charitable donation center like the Habitat For Humanity ReStore that does free pick-up. This is strong because it does not cost a cent, they come to you, and it is even a tax write-off! We lately donated our old sink and faucet from our big bathroom makeover this way. We simply called to arrange a pick-up and they arrived right on time to grab everything. And of course, you can consistently list things as “free with pick up” on Facebook Marketplace to clear out your clutter in a snap (no driving necessary).

Hauling Pointer #4: Phone A Friend

Ask a friend to borrow their bigger car/SUV/truck/etc. John’s sister Emily happens to have a large Explorer and we certainly bribe her with food or gas to switch cars for a few hours (or even a full day) so we can make an Ikea run or take a bunch of items to the local recycling center when it is garage clean out time. And every once in a while we take on a personal challenge without the assist of Em’s larger car (like when we were determined to get two bifold doors into our compact ten year old Maxima last year (mission accomplished!).

Hauling Pointer #5: Rent A Moving Truck

U-Hauls are not simply for moving to a new house, and unlike the Home Depot or Lowe’s trucks, you may find more flexibility and options through a traditional moving company (like small trailers to large trucks with loading ramps). We rented one once to move a single, vintage stove simply because we needed the ramp. It was a bit pricier and more complicated to rent, but I was able to get exactly what I needed for that particular task. So it never hurts to explore this option!

So that is how we take home the occasional supersized item, haul a slew of things off to the recycling center from time to time, or even get a local thrift store to do the hard work for us after we tackle some fairly major renos – all without owning a big SUV or a truck. Do you folks have other haul it pointers to share? Any especially creative ways that you’ve gotten something large back to your house (in a not so large vehicle)? Tell us all about it.