Portable Storage for Moving Around western Colorado: Container vs. Truck vs. Movers
If you’re moving within western Colorado, whether it’s across town, from one side of the valley to the other, or between towns we serve, you’ve probably asked yourself the big question: do I rent a truck, hire movers, or get a moving container dropped in the driveway? I’ve watched a lot of folks work through that decision, and the honest answer is that it depends on your timeline, your budget, how much you’ve got and how much lifting you want to do yourself.
Here’s a plain-English look at all three, with the mountain-and-mesa details that generic moving guides tend to skip.
Portable Storage, a Truck or Movers: Three Ways to Move Around western Colorado
1. Rent a truck and do it yourself
A rental truck is the classic DIY move. You pick it up, load it, drive it, unload it and bring it back, usually on a tight clock.
Where it works: short, simple moves where everything is packed and ready, and you’ve got a few strong friends lined up for the same day.
Where it gets hard here: you’re the one driving a loaded truck over Vail Pass, down Glenwood Canyon or along the Colorado River on I-70. Weather can change fast, and canyon or pass closures can throw off a one-day plan. Truck ramps are steep, and the return deadline doesn’t care if your closing slipped.
2. Hire full-service movers
Professional movers pack, load, drive and unload. It’s the least work for you.
Where it works: big households, long-distance moves, or when you just can’t do the lifting. That’s a moving company’s job, not ours: Gooder Boxes move only within the western Colorado areas we serve.
Where it gets hard: it usually costs the most, schedules can fill up in busy seasons, and you’re working around the crew’s timeline. If your new place isn’t ready, you’ll need storage somewhere in between anyway.
3. Use a portable moving container
With a moving container, the box comes to you. We drop a Gooder Box at your home, you pack it at your own pace, and when you’re ready we either deliver it to your new address or keep it at our yard until you are. See how our moving containers work.
Where it works: moves where timing is uncertain, like waiting on a closing, staging a house to sell, or moving in stages. It also works for anyone who would rather not drive a big truck through the mountains.
Where it’s not ideal: you still do the loading and unloading yourself (or hire a crew to help), and you’ll need a reasonably level spot for the box.
Why Portable Storage Containers Fit western Colorado Moves
Moves around western Colorado have their own quirks: long drives between towns, mountain weather, and closing dates that rarely line up. That’s where a mobile storage container shines.
No deadline on loading day
You don’t have to cram everything into one frantic Saturday. Load a few rooms after work, finish the garage on the weekend, and call us when it’s done. There’s a one-month minimum, then it’s month-to-month.
Nobody has to drive the truck over the pass
We handle the driving with our truck and trailer, and our remote-controlled delivery bot sets the box down level right where you want it.
Easier on your back
Every Gooder Box loads at ground level with less than a 6-inch step, so there’s no ramp to climb. Double swing doors with a 5’8″ wide x 6’6″ tall opening. It’s a secure, weather-resistant box with stainless hardware, a corrugated roof that sheds rain and snowmelt, and an insulated spray coating on the interior roof that helps keep summer heat down.
Storage built into the move
Closing pushed back a week? No problem. We can pick up your loaded box and keep it at our yard until the new place is ready. You can get to your box when you need it, and after-hours visits are scheduled with us ahead of time.
When you’re trying to close on a house and move, and you’re not sure what’s happening next, flexibility is what brings the stress down. Moving can be stressful, especially when the dates keep shifting. A Gooder Box takes some of the pressure off, because you can move at your own pace.
Which Portable Storage Box Size Do You Need?
We keep it simple with two sizes. Full specs are on our services page.
- 16-foot Gooder Box (8′ × 8′ × 16′): typically fits 1 to 2 bedrooms, up to about 1,200 sq ft. It’s comparable to a 10×10 to 10×15 storage unit or a 20-foot moving truck.
- 20-foot Gooder Box (8′ × 8′ × 20′): typically fits 2 to 3 bedrooms, about 1,200 to 1,600 sq ft. Larger homes or full garages may need two boxes. It’s comparable to about a 10×15 storage unit.
Not sure? Call us at (970) 510-6464 and tell us what you’re moving. We’ll help you pick.
Portable Storage Container vs. Truck vs. Movers at a Glance
| Rental truck | Full-service movers | Moving container | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who loads | You | The crew | You (or a crew you hire) |
| Who drives | You | The crew | We do |
| Loading timeline | Usually one day | The crew’s schedule | Your pace |
| Storage between homes | Separate storage unit | Often extra | Built in, at our yard |
| Loading height | Ramp | n/a | Ground level, under a 6-inch step |
Where We Deliver Portable Storage: Two Yards Across western Colorado
We run two yards, so most western Colorado moves are covered.
- Grand Junction yard (Gooder Storage, 2322 US-6 And 50, Grand Junction, CO 81505): Grand Junction and Orchard Mesa, Fruita, Clifton, Palisade, the Redlands, Parachute and Battlement Mesa, Montrose, and Delta and the North Fork Valley (Hotchkiss, Paonia, Crawford and Somerset). More about Grand Junction mobile storage.
- Glenwood Springs yard (Gooder Storage, 4067 County Road 154, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601): Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt and El Jebel, Snowmass, Aspen, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Vail, Gypsum, Eagle and Edwards. More about Glenwood Springs mobile storage.
There’s a delivery fee, and it depends on your delivery location. We don’t post prices online because every move is a little different, so call or request a mobile storage quote for a straight answer.
Portable Storage Tips for a Smoother western Colorado Move
- Book a few days ahead. We like a few days’ notice, though sometimes we can do the day before or even the same day.
- Pick your spot. Choose a flat, open place in the driveway for the box. If you’re in an HOA, check their rules first.
- Pack heavy and square first. Put furniture and heavy boxes against the back wall, and lighter things on top and toward the doors.
- Watch the weather. In winter, plan around storms and give yourself some slack in the schedule.
- Label by room. Unloading goes a lot faster when every box says where it’s going.
Portable Storage, a Truck or Movers: Which Should You Choose?
If your move is small and quick and you don’t mind the drive, a rental truck can do the job. If you want hands-off service and the budget allows, movers are hard to beat. But if you want to load on your own time, skip the mountain drive and have storage built in when dates don’t line up, a moving container is made for western Colorado.
Questions about your move? Call us at (970) 510-6464. Yard hours are Monday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM and Saturday 8 AM–12 PM. Or request a mobile storage quote and we’ll help you plan it out.
Damon Roth, Gooder Storage
Portable Moving Container FAQs
Portable moving containers: how far ahead should I book?
We like a few days’ notice to get you on the schedule, but sometimes we can do the day before or even the same day. Call (970) 510-6464 and we’ll see what we can do.
Portable storage delivery: is there a delivery fee?
Yes. There’s a delivery fee, and it depends on your delivery location. Call (970) 510-6464 or request a mobile storage quote and we’ll give you a straight answer for your address.
Portable moving containers: do you load or unload the box for me?
No. You load and unload your Gooder Box yourself, on your own schedule. If you want help with the heavy lifting, you can hire a local moving crew to load it for you.
Portable storage at your yard: can I get to my things while the box is stored there?
Yes. You can get to your box when you need it, and after-hours visits are scheduled with us ahead of time. Yard hours are Monday–Friday 7 AM–6 PM and Saturday 8 AM–12 PM.
Portable storage rental: is there a deposit or a long contract?
No deposit, ever. There’s a one-month minimum, then it’s month-to-month. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before delivery.
Portable moving containers: which towns do you serve?
Our Grand Junction yard serves Grand Junction and Orchard Mesa, Fruita, Clifton, Palisade, the Redlands, Parachute and Battlement Mesa, Montrose, Delta and the North Fork Valley (Hotchkiss, Paonia, Crawford and Somerset). Our Glenwood Springs yard serves Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt and El Jebel, Snowmass, Aspen, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Vail, Gypsum, Eagle and Edwards. We move Gooder Boxes only within these areas.
Damon Roth owns and runs Gooder Storage, a western Colorado mobile storage company with yards in Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs. He and his team deliver secure Gooder Boxes to homes, remodels and job sites from Vail and Aspen to Montrose and the North Fork.
