Why moving truck hire is better than borrowing a mate’s ute

We’ve all been there. You’re moving house, and someone says, “Just borrow a mate’s ute – it’ll be fine.” Sounds easy, right? But halfway through loading your fridge in the rain or strapping a mattress on the back with two bungee cords, you start rethinking things.

Let’s be honest, as nice as it is to have mates, moving house is not the time to rely on a borrowed ute. This is where moving truck hire comes in, and why it’s the better choice. Especially when you're working with a local team like 1300 Meteor Rentals. Whether you're in Townsville, Cairns, or Mt Isa, we’ve got you sorted with proper trucks made for moving.

Why moving truck hire is better than borrowing a mate's ute

1. Space: a ute can’t compete

Sure, your mate’s ute might be good for a Bunnings run, but not for a full house move. You’ll end up doing 10 trips, minimum. Maybe more if you’ve got big furniture or loads of boxes. And trust us, after the third trip, the fun wears off.

Moving truck hire gives you the space you need, all in one go. Our trucks come in different sizes, so whether you’re moving a studio apartment or a full family home, there’s a truck that fits. No repeat trips, no messing around.

2. Weather: your mate’s ute has no roof

Let’s talk rain. Or sun. Or wind. A lot of us in Cairns, Townsville, or Mt Isa know how fast the weather can change. One minute it’s sunny, next minute it’s bucketing down. If all your stuff is on the back of a ute, it’s getting wet.

Moving truck hire means you’ve got a fully enclosed truck. Your mattress, couch, and boxes stay clean and dry. No need to stress about covering things with tarps or towels that blow away halfway down the road.

3. Safety

Driving a loaded ute around with things hanging over the edge? Not ideal. You’ll spend half your trip checking the rearview mirror, hoping your chest of drawers hasn’t fallen out.

Moving truck hire gives you a vehicle designed for carrying loads. The space is made to fit furniture, and you get proper anchor points to tie things down. It’s safer for you, your stuff, and everyone else on the road.

Our trucks are easy to drive too, automatic options, clear visibility, and well maintained. Plus, at 1300 Meteor, we walk you through the basics before you hit the road.

4. Less stress

Relying on friends sounds easy until it’s time to actually do the move. Suddenly, no one’s free, someone’s ute breaks down, or you feel bad asking for help again.

With moving truck hire, you’re in control. Book when it suits you. No waiting on people or feeling awkward. Plus, with 1300 Meteor, pickup and drop-off is easy at our local depots in Townsville, Cairns, and Mt Isa.

You’ll also save time and hassle not needing to return favours later. No BBQ debt, no "help me move next month" trades.

5. You get the right gear

Need a trolley? Tie-downs? Blankets to protect your furniture? Your mate probably doesn’t have all that in the back of their ute.

At 1300 Meteor, our moving truck hire options come with extras to help you out. We’ve got moving accessories available so your stuff stays in top shape. Makes packing quicker, lifting easier, and moving smoother.

6. It actually saves you money

Here’s the thing, if you’re doing 10 trips in a ute, that’s a lot of fuel. And time. And wear and tear if you’re using your own vehicle. Not to mention damage if something breaks on the way.

Moving truck hire gives you the right vehicle from the start. Fewer trips, less fuel, and way less risk of wrecking your stuff. At 1300 Meteor, our prices are great, especially for locals in Cairns, Townsville, and Mt Isa. It’s simple: book it, load it, move, done.

7. Support from locals who know the area

We’re not some big out-of-town company. 1300 Meteor Rentals has been helping locals move around North Queensland for years. Our staff know the roads, the weather, and what kind of truck you’ll need for your move.

If you're in Townsville, pop into our local branch. Same goes for Cairns or Mt Isa, we’re just around the corner. Need help figuring out truck size or extras? Give us a call or drop by. We’re here to make moving truck hire simple and friendly.

8. One-way moves? We’ve got you

Moving out of town? We’ve got one-way rental so you don’t have to drive back just to return the truck. This is a game changer if you’re heading to or from places like Mount Isa, Cairns, or Townsville. Save time, save fuel, and no backtracking.

Borrowing a mate’s ute might sound like a good idea… until the weather turns, your furniture doesn’t fit, or your mate forgets to show up.

Moving truck hire gives you more space, better protection, less stress, and a safer way to move. And with 1300 Meteor Rentals, you’re getting a local team that knows what they’re doing and actually cares.

So if you’re in Cairns, Townsville, or Mt Isa, give us a call or book online. Let’s make your move simple, smooth, and maybe even a bit enjoyable.