How Many Moving Totes Do I Need?
By Chad, Boxtrot Rentals · October 30, 2026 · 3 min read
Short answer: about 10 totes for a studio or 1 bedroom, 20 for a 2 bedroom, 30 for a 3 bedroom, and 45 to 50 for a 4 bedroom. Five bedrooms and up usually needs a custom order. Here is how to adjust for how much you actually own.
Totes by home size
| Home size | Light | Average | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 10 (Kit) | 10 (Kit) | 10 (Kit) |
| 1 Bedroom | 10 (Kit) | 10 (Kit) | 15 (Trot) |
| 2 Bedroom | 15 (Trot) | 20 (Trot) | 25 (Fox) |
| 3 Bedroom | 25 (Fox) | 30 (Fox) | 40 (Vixen) |
| 4 Bedroom | 35 (Vixen) | 45 (Vixen) | 60 (Den) |
| 5 Bedroom+ | 45 (Vixen) | 60 (Den) | 80 (Den) |
Light means minimalist, mostly furniture. Heavy means lots of books, a full kitchen, or kids' stuff in every room.
What goes in totes
Kitchen, closets, books, decor, toys, and bathroom stuff. Furniture, mattresses, and big lamps move on their own, so they don't count.
When to go up a size
- A packed garage, attic, or storage unit
- A kitchen full of dishes and small appliances
- Lots of books, or kids' stuff spread across a few rooms
Between two sizes? Go bigger.
Running short on moving day means a last minute scramble for cardboard. A few extra totes cost a lot less than that.
Which package fits
Our packages line up with those numbers: Kit (10 totes, $99/wk), Trot (20 totes, $149/wk), Fox (30 totes, $199/wk), and Vixen (50 totes, $279/wk). Delivery and pickup are included in every one. Bigger than that is a Den, and we build it to fit. The tote calculator does the math for you in two taps.
Moving around Charleston?
Call or text (843) 518-0021. We'll tell you what your move needs, even if it's less than you think.
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