What vehicle is best for moving a studio apartment?

A 1-ton pickup is typically ideal for a studio apartment with a bed, small sofa, refrigerator, washing machine, and 5–8 cartons, provided large items can be partially dismantled.

How many cubic meters does a 3-ton truck hold?

A standard UAE 3-ton enclosed box truck offers an internal cargo volume of approximately 14 to 18 cubic meters (CBM), with an internal box length of ~4.2 meters and height of ~2.1 meters.

How can I reduce the truck size required for moving?

Dismantle bed frames and dining table legs, use uniform stackable moving boxes rather than irregular loose bags, and sell or donate unwanted appliances before booking your moving truck.

Capacity Engineering • Residential Relocations

What Size Pickup Truck Do I Need for Moving?

Underestimating your moving truck size leads to multiple round trips, wasted hours in Dubai traffic, and extra fuel costs. Use this room-by-room cubic volume framework to select the exact vehicle tonnage for your home.

Published by Relocation Desk•Reading time: 6 minutes•CBM Formula Guide

Guide showing pickup truck and box truck sizing for apartment moving in the UAE

Apartment Size to Truck Matching Table

Based on average UAE household furniture densities in high-rise towers and townhouses:

Property Type	Estimated Volume	Recommended Truck	Number of Trips
Studio Apartment	4 – 6 CBM	1-Ton Pickup	1 Single Trip
1-Bedroom Apartment	12 – 16 CBM	3-Ton Closed Truck	1 Single Trip
2-Bedroom Apartment	22 – 28 CBM	3-Ton or 7-Ton Truck	1 to 2 Trips
3-Bedroom Townhouse / Villa	35 – 50 CBM	7-Ton Truck or Multiple 3-Ton	2 Dedicated Trips

Cubic Volume Checklist by Common Furniture Item

Add up the approximate CBM of your largest items to determine your total load:

Living & Dining Room

3-Seater Sofa: ~1.5 CBM
L-Shape Sectional: ~3.0 CBM
Dining Table + 6 Chairs: ~2.0 CBM
65" TV in Box: ~0.4 CBM
Coffee Table: ~0.3 CBM

Bedroom & Kitchen

King Mattress & Frame: ~2.2 CBM
Queen Mattress & Frame: ~1.8 CBM
Large Wardrobe (Dismantled): ~1.2 CBM
Double-Door Refrigerator: ~1.2 CBM
Washing Machine: ~0.5 CBM

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Elevator booking, developer permits, and padding techniques.

Need Sizing Assistance?

Send Your Furniture List

Our dispatch specialists will calculate your total CBM in minutes and recommend the optimal vehicle size so you never overpay.

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Pickup truck on UAE highway transit corridor

Express UAE Dispatch Desk

Ready to Move with the Right Truck Size?

Avoid multiple trips. Book the exact vehicle size needed for your apartment or villa.

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UAE Road Logistics Knowledge

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear, accurate information regarding pickup rental, dispatch times, vehicle sizes, and transport requirements across the UAE.

Generally no, unless it is minimally furnished. A typical 1-bedroom apartment contains 12 to 16 CBM of furniture and boxed belongings. A 1-ton pickup carries only 4.5 to 6 CBM, requiring 2 to 3 separate round trips. A 3-ton closed truck is recommended to complete the move in a single trip.