Moving day is almost upon you, and you can’t make the day happen without considering your truck rental options. Here’s what you need to know about renting a truck from the moving experts.
Truck Rental Pricing Options
One of the first questions about truck rentals is how much it will cost. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
In fact, truck rental pricing is determined with several variables:
- the truck rental company
- duration you need the truck for
- distance you are driving the rental truck
- the size of the rental truck
- and the weight of the items you have to move
Here are a few pointers for finding the best price:
1. Shop Around
First things first: shop around for your moving truck. Prices will vary, and it’s essential to get at least three or four quotes before you bite on any single company. To make sure your quotes are as accurate as possible, provide the truck rental company with a breakdown on how much you’re moving and how far you’re going.
No matter what you do, be sure you’re getting all your quotes in writing. It’s also a good idea to see what else is included in the price of the rental truck. For instance, if you are completing a DIY move, it’s important to have a dolly to help you load and unload efficiently.
Pro Tip: You may also want to get quotes for different moving times (mid-week versus weekend, for example), or dates, to make sure you’re not missing out on savings.
2. Ask for Recommendations
Not only is asking for recommendations from friends and family members a great way to get a good deal on moving trucks, but you may even score a recommendation discount if you work with a company that offers one. Here’s how that works:
Truck rental companies want to retain customers, so they may offer a discount on services rendered for people who came to their company through the recommendation of someone else.
Driving Tips for Your Rental Truck
Now that you’ve got the best price out there, it’s time to get on the road! However, you are not alone if the idea of driving a big truck gives you some anxiety. Never fear, your experienced long-distance movers are here.
Here are some driving tips to keep you safe and boost your confidence while driving on the road.
1. Plan Your Route in Advance
Not only is asking for recommendations from friends and family members a great way to get a good deal on moving trucks, but you may even score a recommendation discount if you work with a company that offers one. Here’s how that works:
Truck rental companies want to retain customers, so they may offer a discount on services rendered for people who came to their company through the recommendation of someone else.
2. Plan For Frequent Gas Breaks
Nobody wants to run out of fuel in the moving truck. Unfortunately, moving vehicles are big and often not incredibly efficient, so it’s easy to do!
That being said, make sure you’re stopping for gas more frequently than you necessarily need to. Filling up as soon as you reach a half tank of gas is a good rule of thumb, and will stop you from getting too low during your journey.
3. Leave Yourself Plenty of Time
A moving truck won’t handle like your car. With this in mind, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to arrive at your final destination.
When you don’t feel like you have to rush, you’re less likely to make dangerous mistakes that could put your safety, your goods, or your fuel economy at risk.
Safety Precautions
Never driven a moving truck before? Here are a few safety tips to help you along the road:
- Inspect the truck before you go. Look at the tires, signals, lights, mirrors, and exterior of the truck.
- Keep a safe distance. Trucks don’t have incredible stopping power, so be sure you’re keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you at all times. Not only does this help prevent accidents, but it will also keep your packed items from shifting and breaking during the move.
- Be careful in bad weather. Your moving truck rental won’t handle the same in bad weather such as rain or snow. For this reason, be sure to drive below the speed limit and leave yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.
- Turn and brake slowly. Trucks need much more space than cars when it comes to turning and braking. Therefore, it’s a good idea to leave yourself plenty of room and keep the size of your vehicle in mind at all times.
- Mind your trailer. If you’re pulling a car or trailer behind your truck, increase your braking distance and be mindful of your length as you drive along.
- Pack emergency equipment. Make sure you have emergency equipment for tire repair and battery jumper cables.
Truck Rental for DIY Moves
If you’re working on a DIY move, truck rental is a critical part of that. Fortunately, it can be a simple and straightforward process, as long as you follow these tips. From the renting to the driving and the packing and beyond, you can ace truck rental this year!
Need help with your long-distance move? Contact the team at Colonial Van Lines for quotes, information, and more!