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Truck for renting: what you need to know before you book
Truck for renting: what you need to know before you book
Posted by 1300 Meteor Rentals
on 24 June 2025
Thinking of getting a truck for renting? Whether you're moving house, picking up a big load, or just need extra space for a one-off job, hiring a truck can make life a lot easier. But before you book, there are a few things to know: from licence rules to how loading works and what’s included with insurance. This guide will walk you through it all.
At 1300 Meteor Rentals, we’ve helped locals and travellers across Townsville, Cairns, and Mt Isa hire trucks for all kinds of jobs. We keep it simple and straight, so you can get on the road without any problems.
Truck for renting: what to know before
1. What licence do you need?
This is a big one. Lots of people assume they can drive any truck with a car licence. But that’s not always the case. Not every truck for renting can be driven on a normal car licence (C class in Queensland).
The general rule is:
You can drive a truck with a GVM up to 4.5 tonnes on a car licence.
You can’t drive anything bigger unless you’ve got a Light Rigid (LR) or higher licence.
At 1300 Meteor, we’re upfront about this. We clearly show which trucks are okay for car licence holders. For example, our 14m³, 16m³, and 20m³ trucks are car licence-friendly. Bigger ones like the 40m³ truck will need a truck licence.
If another hire place tells you their “3-tonne truck” is fine on a car licence, be careful. They might be talking about the load, not the truck’s legal weight. That could leave you fined or uninsured if something goes wrong.
2. Loading the truck
Loading a truck for renting takes a bit of planning. Here’s what you need to think about:
Balance the load
Don’t dump all your heavy stuff on one side. Spread the weight evenly so the truck drives safely and doesn’t wobble.
Secure your stuff
Use ropes, straps, or removalist blankets (we’ve got them at 1300 Meteor) to stop things sliding around. A fridge flying forward during a stop is not fun, or safe.
Use the ramp or loader
Many of our trucks come with drop-down loading ramps or tailgate loaders. These make it heaps easier to lift heavy stuff in and out. No need to break your back.
Bring a trolley
Trust us, it’s worth it. We rent out trolleys that work great for fridges, washing machines, and heavy boxes.
3. Booking tips
Booking your truck for renting doesn’t have to be a big mission. Here are some tips to help:
Book early
Trucks get snapped up fast, especially on weekends and around the end of the month when everyone’s moving. Lock in your booking as early as you can.
Know the size you need
Check out our Furniture Volume Calculator to see what size truck fits your load. No one wants to be doing two trips just because the truck was too small.
Check pickup options
We offer free airport pickup in Townsville, Cairns and Mt Isa. That’s handy if you’re flying in and need to grab a truck right away.
One-way trips welcome
Need to drive from Cairns to Townsville or Mt Isa? We do one-way rentals too.
4. What about insurance?
When you get a truck for renting, we include Loss and Damage Cover. But like any hire, there are a few things to understand:
Driving on unsealed gazetted roads is okay with our trucks, you’re still covered.
You’ll need to stick to roads that are marked as legal truck routes.
If you don’t have the right licence and something goes wrong, you’re not covered.
Extras like windscreen or tyre damage may not be included unless you add them on.
We’ll explain it all when you book, no tricky fine print.
Choose 1300 Meteor for your truck for renting
We keep things straight and simple. Here’s why people choose us again and again:
With more than 35 years of experience across North Queensland, we know what works, and what doesn’t.
Booking a truck for renting is a smart move when you need extra space, but don’t rush into it. Make sure you:
Know your licence limits
Pick the right size truck
Load safely
Understand the insurance
Book with a trusted local name like 1300 Meteor Rentals
So whether you’re moving into a new home in Townsville, picking up supplies in Cairns, or heading out bush in Mt Isa, start right with a reliable truck for renting from 1300 Meteor.
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 "Truck for renting: what you need to know before you book")
