A DIY move is the best way to save money when you prepare your moving budget. Renting a truck is a part of a DIY move but before you rent a truck, there are certain things that you should keep in mind. Though the scale is different, driving a moving truck is the same as driving a car. When you drive a new car, you have to locate blinkers, blind spots, and buttons. Similarly, you will have to locate these features while driving a truck for the first time.
As explained by the most affordable truck rental companies associated with Moving Feedback, driving a truck is no different from driving a car. However, you need to know the basics of driving a rented truck before you actually climb into the driver’s seat. We have tried to jot down all the important points that you need to know and keep in mind before driving a rented truck and you can follow them to have a smooth driving experience.
You can follow the tips given below and you will feel more confident while driving your rental truck:
A Guide for Beginners
Driving a renting truck across the country is an overwhelming experience and before you drive a renting truck, you need to know certain basics.
When you decide to rent a truck for your next move, there are some basic to-dos that you need to know including the size of the truck, date of move, driver’s details, and what kind of things that you may need while driving. This to-do list needs to be updated before you sit on the driving seat.
Choosing the right size of the truck
Choosing the right size of the truck is very important as an oversized truck may cause damage to your belongings and an undersized truck will not be able to cater to your needs. Selecting the wrong size of truck will create a fuss and a lot of inconveniences.
You can choose the right truck by knowing the size and number of your belongings. For example, a cargo van can cater belongings of a studio apartment but for a three-bedroom apartment house, you may need a bigger truck.
A cargo van will be good for studio apartments with less furniture and/or moving a room or two. This kind of van can take a weight of around 3500-4000 pounds that is enough for 240-300 cubic feet. A small truck will be right for approximately a cargo size of 350 to 450 cubic feet and load between 3500 to 4500 pounds. A medium-sized truck will be good for 650 to 850 cubic feet size cargo and 3500 to 6000 pounds of weight. A large-sized truck will be needed for a cargo size of 1000 to 1700 cubic feet and a weight of 5000 to 10000 pounds.
The above mentioned are the estimated figures that may vary but can be used to calculate the general size of the truck.
Driver
Anyone with good driving skills can drive the truck provided they have all the needed documents. The documents that you will need to drive a truck are as follows:
- The first and foremost document that you need to drive a rental moving truck is a driving license and as rental moving trucks are not considered to be a commercial vehicle, you will need a regular driving license only.
- You will need to carry your identification documents. Most of the moving companies ask for identification papers at the time of truck pick-up that may include passport, state-issued license, driver’s license, and/or social security card.
- Call your insurance provider to know if your insurance program covers driving a moving truck. If yes, then confirm all the specifications to be sure about the coverage of the type and size of the truck that you will be driving. If your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover moving trucks then you can opt for supplement protection plans. These plans are offered by most moving truck companies.
It is very much advised to have some sort of coverage before you drive a rental moving truck to avoid any financial liability as you never know what may happen while driving.
Things to bring along
Along with important documents, make sure you also take along a few more things that may include
- Battery operated charger and/or auxiliary cord
- Printout of directions even if you are following a GPRS system
- A first-aid kit that may include basic medication like antiseptic wipes, OTC pain reliever, gauze, and a few bandages.
- An emergency kit that should include a reflective vest, a flashlight, and a window breaker. This will help you in case you have to face any mechanical issue with your vehicle.
- Keep some cash handy for tolls on the way to avoid last-minute panics.
- Last but not least is a lot of drinking water and snacks to stay full and happy and to avoid any stoppage refreshments.
We hope this guide would help you make a safe journey to your new house as you load your belongings in a rental truck and hit the road.