Truck Rental Options for Different Moves

The term ‘relocation’ is used to mean many different types of moves. This can be a move that is simply within the same town, or a move that is across the country. Moving within your current area can be a lot easier than moving to a new state, but both types of moves come with some very important choices that must be made before the move can be completed. These choices will dictate how easy and smoothly your move ends up going.

Choosing the Truck

Most truck rental companies will allow you to choose the size of truck that you think you need. There are usually four or five different sizes that range from a small pickup truck all the way to a truck nearly the size of a tractor trailer. Each size will come with a different fee, and you will be expected to know how to drive the truck. For those who have never driven a large truck, the smaller choices are usually the best.

Choosing the Supplies

If you visit your local Uhaul, Budget, or other truck rental company, you will probably find a lot more than just trucks. Many of these companies also offer self storage in the same building, and all of them offer packing and loading supplies. Boxes of all sizes and types will be set up around the building to show you an example of what they are used for and how large they are. Other supplies, such as furniture pads and hand trucks will be offered as well.

Keep in mind that loading the truck will be quite the task, so renting extra supplies like hand trucks can be a really good idea. Furniture pads can be used to preserve the finish on your furniture or protect it from damage as things shift in the truck. Straps and other supplies can be used to tack things down and keep them in place, so make sure that you get sufficient extras to make your move easy.

Choosing the Duration

Truck rentals can be reserved for a number of days. You can choose any length, from a single 24 hour period to an entire week. The timing is up to you. Just remember that you need to have enough time to load the truck, driving it to its destination, and then unload the truck again. Most people end up getting the truck rental for too short of a time and then stress about how they will get everything done. Err on the side of caution, and reserve the truck for longer than you expect in order for your move to be stress-free and easy!

No matter where you are moving, short or long distance, a truck rental can make your life simple. Just remember that there are still things that you have to choose, even if you are only moving down the street. Don’t forget the little things, because these things will make the difference between a hard move and an easy one.

Truck Rentals: What to Consider First

It seems that more and more people are choosing to move themselves. It is no wonder why, as prices for all services and products have gone sky high recently. Doing things yourself will often save you time and money. When you are moving, this fact stands true. Moving yourself can be both cost efficient, and much easier on you. Getting a truck rental can make your moving experience much more positive, but you need to consider some things before you make this your final choice.

Loading and Unloading

Perhaps one of the biggest things you will need to figure out when you get a truck rental is the fact of who will be loading the truck and who will be unloading the truck. This is where your friends and family come in, but you need to make sure that you will have enough help. There is generally quite a few heavy things in a home, and you need to make sure that you have enough help to lift and carry these things the distance that it takes.

At the same time, a person helping does not always mean that you will have the help you need. People who are in charge of lifting and carrying the heavy things need to be in good physical condition. People with back problems or other medical conditions can really hurt themselves if they try to lift something like a couch. You do not need or want to be responsible for an event or injury that could permanently damage someone’s body, so make sure that those who will be lifting the heavy things are in good shape.

Driving

Driving a truck rental can be a harrowing experience if you are not used to driving anything bigger than a small car. These trucks take skill to drive, and that skill can only come from practice. If you do not feel comfortable in driving such a vehicle, then maybe you should choose a different method of moving.

There are many different sized trucks out there, but you need to take into consideration how much you have to move. While you may be able to drive a slightly smaller truck, you may find that half of your things do not fit in it. Considering these things before the move will make the overall move much smoother.

Extras

Finally, when you are thinking about getting a truck rental for your move, you need to think about the extra costs that you will incur along the road. There are snacks, meals, fuel, motels, and other costs that are associated with this do it yourself method. Make sure that you think about all these costs, as well as the time commitment involved, before you sign a contract with a rental company. Being prepared is the best way to avoid stress and other problems.

Truck Rental Driving Tips

Driving a truck rental does not mean that you need to go out and get a commercial driving permit. It will require that you learn how to handle a large vehicle, however. There are some situations that can pose a significant risk to those who are not used to driving these large vehicles. These situations include backing up, turning, and driving on bridges or narrow roadways. Knowing what to do and getting prepared for the drive will take alot of stress away when its time to actually drive. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are going to be driving a truck rental.

Test Driving

Before you leave the companies property, get used to the truck. Make sure to find out the location of any controls, switches, or important items such as flares or safety triangles. When you feel confident that you are aware of everything important, take the truck around the parking lot, or a nearby empty one, to get a feel for the truck and its handling. This will go a long way in getting you used to the idea of driving a truck.

Looking Out

A moving truck rental is a lot bigger than the vehicles that most people are used to driving. These trucks are not only wider, but taller as well. You need to keep a sharp eye on what is around you when you rent a truck. There are many low lying branches, bridges, or poles that could pose a problem for you and your truck. You need to be aware of how tall your truck is and how short the things around you are. You might even want to bring a friend along to keep an eye out for things that you might run into while driving.

Getting Ready to Drive

Driving a moving truck rental is not easy, and it is likely to take you a while as well. Driving your car over a long distance is a difficult task, but driving an unfamiliar vehicle over a long distance can be really difficult for you. Make sure to plan ahead and take precautions before you get into the drivers seat. That means that you need to make sure to get a good night’s sleep before you leave on the trip. You also need to practice backing up and set up a timetable for the move. taking all of these steps can help you save time and stress while you are actually on the road driving.

There are a few things that you need to pack with you in order to be totally ready to drive. Keep this small box of items with you in the cab of the truck so that you don’t have to stop to find them along the way. Include items like sunglasses, important documents pertaining to driving the truck or insurance coverage, medication, extra cash, a cellular phone, and a first aid kit. All of these items are important to the safety of you and your items as you drive to your new home.

Other Thoughts

For longer trips, it may be a good idea to keep a log of when you left and how long you drove. In the event that you do get into an accident, this information can help you prove that you were not tired or distracted. Make sure that you do know the emergency procedures for your truck before you get on the road. Have any emergency numbers available and keep water on hand in case you break down and have to wait for a tow truck to show up.

Following these simple tips can help you avoid problems when you are moving with a truck rental. Driving one of these big vehicles is not always easy, so it is important to take the right precautions before you get on the road.

Relocation: Move Yourself or Hire Professionals?

Moving is something that most of us dread. There are many reasons for this feeling, but the most prevalent reason is the fact that a sacrifice is required. This sacrifice will come in one of two manifestations. Either you will have to sacrifice your personal time in order to pack, load, and drive yourself, or you will have to sacrifice a large chunk of money in order to hire people to do these jobs for you. Neither choice is anything to get excited about, so you need to take a hard look at your situation before you choose one over the other.

Do It Yourself

There are plenty of benefits to moving yourself. These benefits can include money savings, the ability to control every aspect of your move, and the ability to plan a move around your busy schedule. For many people, completing a move on their own means that they will be getting a truck rental.

Taking this route can give you plenty of benefits, but you need to look at the drawbacks as well. Obtaining a rental truck will still cost a chunk of cash, but it is a much smaller chunk than hiring a professional moving company. Taking this route also means that you need to find some way of loading and unloading everything that you own, including the heavy stuff. Since no one person can possibly lift and carry everything in their home on their own, it is important that you enact a plan to get help. Some people enlist the aid of friends and family. Others hire a professional loading company. No matter what you do, you must remember to take both the time and monetary costs into account.

Hiring Professionals

Hiring a professional mover can save you alot of time and stress. They will come into your home and assess your personal situation. They can pack you up, if you choose to pay the fee. They will load everything into their truck and drive it to your new home. Once there, they will unload the truck into your new home, and in some cases, they will even unpack your stuff as well. This sounds like a great solution to your move, but beware of the drawbacks behind this route.

Handing the control of your move over to a professional moving company means that you cannot make sure that your things get to where they are going in one piece. Once you hire a company, you are handing over complete control to them. If you have done enough research, then you have probably chosen a company who is forthright and honest, so you do not need to worry about a scam. Too many people, however, think that they have found a company like this, but in the end, they get taken for a ride.

The other downfall to hiring a company is the huge costs that are involved. Professionals charge a different fee for all kinds of things. If your old or new home has steps, then there is a fee. If you choose to use their packing service, then there is a fee. If they have to walk an extra distance from the truck to your home, there is a fee. Because of all of these fees, you need to make sure that you read all of the fine print before you agree to or sign anything.

Making the Choice for You

As you can see, there are benefits and drawbacks to both options. The best thing that you can do is weight the options, and all that is involved with them, before you make a choice. Make sure to get pricing quotes and speak to customer service before you pick any company. In the end, whether you choose to use a professional company or a truck rental, you need to make sure that you are going to be happy with your choice.

Packing for Your Move: Moving Box Types

Did you know that there are many different types of moving boxes? Each type is designed for a different use when you move. Since a home generally have a variety of different objects, including books, clothes, and glassware, different types of boxes are needed in order to protect each thing in its own way. You should always strive to get moving boxes that fit the needs of your things so that everything you own makes it to your destination safe and sound.

Glassware and Dishes

Packing breakable and fragile items can be a harrowing experience. You want to make sure to pack these items so that they don’t break when the box is shifted or moved while you are relocating. In order to do this, you need to get special boxes that protect these items. Dish boxes are made from very thick cardboard, so they are less prone to damage and crushing. You need to get plain newsprint to wrap the dishes individually so that they do not get scratched.

Cell kits partition a box into various smaller spaces. Use a cell kit to pack each glass individually. Make sure to wrap each item individually before placing it in the cell kit. This will ensure the upmost protection for each one of your items in the box. Some cell kits come with foam pouches that you can place valuables in. If wrapping glasses and other breakables is a concern, then make sure to get a kit that includes foam pouches.

Heavy Items and Clothes

Packing heavy items can be difficult because of the size and weight behind them. You also need to make sure that you have boxes that will withstand the crushing force of anything stacked on top of them. Whether you are getting a truck rental or hiring professional movers, most of your boxes will have something stacked on top of them.

Make sure that you limit the weight of these heavy boxes. Using many smaller boxes is usually a lot better than using one or two big boxes. This will save you and any moving help from getting lifting related injuries. Get special clothing boxes to pack your clothing so that you can limit the weight and make sure that your wardrobe makes it to your destination neatly. There are hanging wardrobe and flat clothing boxes on the market today.

A Variety of Other Boxes

There are many other types of boxes that have been specifically developed to meet your needs. You can choose to use any number of small, medium, large, or extra large boxes to pack normal household items. You can use electronic boxes to handle your DVD player or other things, and you can find file boxes that allow you to transport your hanging files in a hanging manner. Mirror boxes are specially designed to protect a mirror or glass framed picture. These two part boxes are unique in design and can save your mirrors and pictures from breakage.

Getting Boxes

You will not find many of these boxes at a local store. While getting boxes from retailers can save you money, you will not find specialty boxes in this group. In order to get these specially designed boxes, you need to visit your local moving and storage store. Many truck rental places also have a variety of different box types for you to choose from. Many of these stores also have trained employees that can help you decide on what boxes you need and how many of them you need to get. All in all, getting the right boxes can really help make your move an easier one.