Yes, you can hire a cargo van to move furniture, and for most home moves it is the cheapest and simplest way to do it. A cargo van has an enclosed load space that keeps furniture dry, clean, and out of sight, it drives on a normal car licence, and it starts from around $74.55 a day in Melbourne. Turbofleet hires cargo vans from two depots, Craigieburn in the north and Ravenhall in the west, which cover the surrounding suburbs, so there is usually one close to you. For a studio, an apartment, or a single room of furniture, a cargo van does the job without the cost of a truck.
Is a cargo van good for moving furniture?
A cargo van is well suited to moving furniture because the load area is fully enclosed. Your couch, mattress, and boxes stay protected from rain and road grime, and nothing is on show at traffic lights, which matters if you are leaving items in the van between trips. The floor and walls usually have tie-down points, so you can strap furniture in place rather than letting it slide around.
A van is the right choice when you are moving a smaller home or a few large pieces, doing a part move, or shifting second-hand furniture you have just bought. It is easier to drive and park than a truck, and it fits in standard car spaces and apartment car parks. Where a van reaches its limit is a full house move with wardrobes, large lounge suites, and a fridge all at once. For that, a truck is the better tool, since it holds far more in a single load.
Which cargo van size do you need for furniture?
Turbofleet has three cargo vans that suit furniture, and the right one depends on how much you are moving:
- The 2 tonne delivery van, from $74.55 a day, is the best value pick for a few pieces, a studio, or second-hand buys.
- The 1 tonne van, from $80 a day, suits a similar load with a bit more payload for heavier items.
- The extra large cargo van, from $90 a day, is the one to book for a one-bedroom move or bulky furniture, since it has the most room.
If your load is open or dirty, such as garden furniture or building materials, a ute hire with an open tray can be handier than an enclosed van. For anything bigger than a one-bedroom load, step up to a truck.
What furniture actually fits in a cargo van?
An extra large cargo van comfortably takes the contents of a studio or a small one-bedroom flat in one or two trips. As a rough guide, a cargo van will hold a mattress stood on its side, a two or three seat sofa, a fridge or washing machine, a bed frame taken apart, a small wardrobe, a desk, and a stack of moving boxes.
What does not fit well is a very large L-shaped lounge, a tall full-height wardrobe left assembled, or a whole house of furniture in one go. The trick with a van is to disassemble what you can, stand tall items on their edge, and plan two shorter trips rather than forcing everything into one. Because the depots are local, a second trip across the suburbs is quick and keeps you in the cheaper van rather than a truck.
Do you need a special licence?
No. Every cargo van in the range drives on a standard Australian car licence, the same as your own car, because they sit under the 4.5 tonne limit. There is no need for a truck or heavy vehicle licence to move furniture in a van. The vans are automatic with power steering, so if you can drive a car you can drive one of these.
Where can I hire a cargo van near me in Melbourne?
Turbofleet’s two depots cover a wide stretch of Melbourne. The Craigieburn depot in the north is handy for Broadmeadows, Epping, Roxburgh Park, Lalor, Thomastown, and Sunbury. The Ravenhall depot in the west covers Melton, Sunshine, and the surrounding suburbs. If you are moving within any of these areas, you can collect the van close to home, which cuts down travel time and keeps a local move inside a single day.
Because you pick up and drop back at the same depot, a nearby branch also keeps the distance low, which matters if the hire has a kilometre allowance. You can see the vans and dates for your area on the van hire Melbourne page or the Craigieburn fleet.
What does it cost to move furniture in a cargo van?
Cargo van hire in Melbourne starts from $74.55 a day for the 2 tonne delivery van, $80 a day for the 1 tonne van, and $90 a day for the extra large cargo van. For a local furniture move, a single day is usually all you need, so the day rate is the figure that matters.
There is a refundable bond, which depends on the van you book, and it comes back to you once the van is returned in good order. It is worth asking about the kilometre allowance and any damage cover when you book, so the quote matches what you pay. Booking direct with the depot keeps the price clear, with no third party booking fees on top.
How to move furniture in a cargo van
A little preparation makes a van move faster and protects your furniture:
- Bring moving blankets or old sheets to wrap sofas, tabletops, and timber so they do not scratch.
- Use tie-down straps through the anchor points to stop items shifting when you brake.
- Load the heaviest pieces first, low and against the front wall, then stack lighter boxes on top.
- Disassemble bed frames and table legs, and stand mattresses and couch cushions on their edges to save floor space.
- A hand trolley makes short work of a fridge or washing machine, and a second person makes loading safer.
If you have never driven a van, they handle much like a tall car. Take wider turns, watch the height in car parks, and use the mirrors and reversing camera when parking. The same habits in our guide on driving a bigger vehicle carry across to a van.
How to book a cargo van for your move
Booking is quick. Pick your date, choose the depot nearest you in the north or west, and select the van size that matches your load. Weekends are the busiest time for moving, so reserve a few days ahead to be sure of a van. When you collect it, staff check your licence and set up the refundable bond, and you are on the road in a van that is ready to load. Contact the Turbofleet team if you want help picking the right size for what you are moving.
