Me? Drive a Truck?

Related Links: The True Costs of Rental Trucks & Questions about Rental Trucks

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So, you decided to save some money, take matters into your own hands, and move yourself. Congratulations! But, have you ever driven a truck before? Here are some things to keep in mind as you make your moving plans.

How does Truck Rental work?

Reserving your truck:

• At least one month in advance, you will need to contact your preferred Rental Truck company to confirm availability and reserve your truck.
• Keep in mind that there is always the possibility of not having the correct truck size on the rental yard on the day of your move. Inquire about alternatives if this happens.
• Remember, truck rental rates are subject to change without notice. The earlier you reserve and confirm your quoted price, the better.

Picking up your truck:

• Arrive at the scheduled time to pick up your truck. Review your optional insurance protection plans with your Rental Truck representative.
• Carefully inspect the truck for any potential problems. Make sure everything is in good condition, like tire tread, brake lights, windshield wipers, air conditioning, etc. Advise your representative of any suspected problems. Remember, you have the right to refuse a truck.
• Review truck features, driving instructions, and safety tips. Make sure the owner's manual is in the glove compartment.
• Review the return process with your Rental Truck representative. Where should the truck be returned after your move and are there restricted hours for return?

Driving your truck:

• Once you're on the road, remember you're driving a truck, not a car. The most important thing to remember is that trucks require more space and time to react than your personal vehicle does. Brake early and don't tailgate.
• Know how tall your truck is and be alert to bridges and underpasses. Also be aware of canopies at gas stations as you stop along the route to fill up.
• Don't drive for more than 6-8 hours a day. Never drive when you're tired.
• In the event of bad weather, slow down and be careful. If it's severe, don't drive.
• Leave plenty of time for your truck to pick up speed when you're merging in traffic. Unless you have plenty of room, don't change lanes. If you do, make sure you have plenty of room and use your turn signal well in advance. Know how big your blind spot is.
• In case of emergency, pull off away from the road and turn on flashers. Look for emergency numbers provided by the Rental Truck company.

Returning your truck:

• Sweep out the truck and remove all personal belongings. There are possible fees for leaving trash or debris inside your moving truck.
• Return your truck on time. There are penalties for late return.
• Return your truck with a full gas tank. If you rely on the Rental Truck company to fill the tank upon return, you will likely pay a higher price per gallon or lose your deposit.

If you still want to move yourself, but would like to explore the option of someone else driving, visit www.upack.com. This is a great alternative to driving your own truck, but without the expense of a full service moving company. Many times, these alternatives are cheaper than the total cost for your truck rental. See True Truck Rental Costs to help you calculate.

How does Truck Rental Work | The True Costs of Rental Trucks | Questions about Rental Trucks
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