The Benefits of Backloading, and When It's the Wrong Call
The main benefit of backloading is that you pay for the space your belongings take up on a shared truck, not for the whole truck. That makes smaller moves more affordable, and it suits flexible dates. It's the wrong call for a full house or a fixed settlement date, where a dedicated truck is the better choice.
We've been moving people around the Sunshine Coast and up and down the east coast since 2000. In that time we've had plenty of people come to us convinced backloading is either a magic trick or a con. It's neither. It's just a sensible way to use a truck.
You pay for your share, not the whole truck
This is the big one. On a dedicated truck you're paying for the vehicle, the crew and the trip, whether your stuff fills it to the roof or rattles around in one corner. On a backload you pay for the space your belongings take up, because the truck is carrying other jobs on the same run. Our backloading and shared loads service lists the routes we run.
How much that saves you depends on how much you're moving, where it's going and when. We won't quote a percentage here because every job is different, and anyone who promises you a fixed saving before they've seen your list is guessing. What we can say is that for a smaller load, sharing the trip is usually the more affordable way to go.
If you want to keep the cost down further, the things that help on any move still apply. Book early, get rid of what you don't need and give us an accurate list. We go through all of that in our guide to getting the best price on interstate removals.
It makes small moves worth doing
Some moves are too small for a full truck but too big for the back of the ute. A single bedroom. A few good pieces of furniture. Your nan's old sideboard that's been promised to a grandkid in Adelaide for years.
Without backloading, a lot of those jobs just don't happen, or they happen in a borrowed trailer with a tarp and a prayer. Sharing the trip means a few pieces can travel properly, wrapped and strapped, without you paying for a whole truck to do it. If it's mainly furniture you're sending, have a look at how we handle it on our furniture removals page.
Flexible dates can work in your favour
Backloads are scheduled around the combined jobs on the trip, so we ask for a window of a few days rather than one fixed day. For some people that's a pain. For plenty of others it suits them fine.
If you're between leases, staying with family for a bit, or your new place isn't ready yet, you probably don't need your lounge on a set Tuesday. And if the gap gets awkward, we offer short-term storage during a move, so your things can sit safely with us until the other end is sorted. There's more on that on our packing and storage page.
Fewer half-empty trucks on the highway
There's an environmental side to this as well, and it's pretty simple. One truck carrying several households' worth of furniture makes more sense than several trucks each carrying a bit. We're not going to throw emissions figures at you that we can't back up. But fewer trips for the same amount of furniture is common sense, and it's one of the reasons we like doing backloads.
The care stays the same
A shared truck doesn't mean your things get thrown in the corner. Every piece still gets quilted furniture pads and lay-flat straps, and delicate items are wrapped inside your house before they go anywhere near the truck. Our crew are employed, experienced removalists, and they take the same care whether yours is the only load on board or one of several. Your things stay on the one truck from pick-up to delivery. Our backloads never go through a depot or get transferred to another carrier.
When backloading is the wrong choice
This part matters just as much. We'd rather talk you out of a backload than have you stuck with one that doesn't suit.
You've got a fixed settlement or handover date
If the keys change hands on a Friday and the new owners are moving in on Saturday, you need definite loading and unloading times. A shared run is planned around several customers, so it can't promise you that. Book a dedicated truck.
You're moving a whole house
The bigger your load gets, the less reason there is to share. A dedicated truck carries only your goods and the same crew handles both ends. For a full home it's normally the better option. Send us your list and we'll tell you which way we'd go.
You need things on a particular day
New job starting Monday, kids starting school, a baby on the way. If a few days' wait at the other end would cause real problems, don't gamble on a window.
It's peak season and your dates won't move
School holidays and the end of the year are when demand is highest. If you're locked into a date in those periods, a backload may be hard to fit. Book a dedicated truck and book it early.
If you're on the fence, our post comparing backloading vs a dedicated truck for an interstate move walks through a few real-world scenarios on the Sydney and Melbourne runs.
Frequently asked questions
Is backloading always cheaper?
Not always. For smaller loads with flexible dates it usually costs less. For a full house, or a load that needs special timing, a dedicated truck can be the better value. The only way to know is to get a quote.
Does a backload take longer?
It can. The truck is doing other pick-ups and drops on the way, so your delivery fits around the shared run. We give you two weeks' notice of your pick-up and delivery day.
Does a backload go through a depot?
Not with us. Our backloads never go through a depot or get transferred to another carrier, so your belongings stay on the same truck.
Are my things insured on a backload?
Armstrong Removals holds general freight insurance covering pick-up and set-down of goods. It doesn't include in-transit insurance. Check your home and contents policy or arrange transit cover before you move. That applies to dedicated moves too.
Not sure which way to go?
Tell us your load size and your timing and we'll recommend the option that suits you. Start with a Quick Quote or a Detailed Quote, read more about our backloading and shared loads, call 0480 890 300 or send us a message through our contact page. If you do go ahead with a backload, our guide on how to prepare and pack for a backload will save you a few headaches.
