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.

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.

Moving with Your Pets

Pets are a very important part of our daily lives. We love our pets and we want them to be around us for a long time. We strive to keep them happy and healthy and we never want bad things to happen to them. When you are moving, this can simply add more stress to your life. Moving pets is not easy, and there are many preparations that you need to make in order to get through your move with your sanity intact. The truck rental experts have put together some helpful tips to help you do just this.

Get Ready…

As soon as you know you are going to move, you need to start getting organized. If you have pets, this includes getting them checked out by a veterinarian. Every pet needs to have a check up before you transport them to another place. They need to have all of their shots and you need to get a copy of their records so that you can take them to a new veterinarian when you reach your destination.

Make sure that you pack a special box to carry with you at all times for your pet. Include things like food and water bowls, leashes, favorite toys, and other needed items in this box. Pack the box ahead of time so that you are sure that nothing is missing. Make sure to pack the pet’s records with you as well in case you need them at some point in your journey.

Get Set…

On the day of the move, make sure to confine your pet to an empty room with only a few favorite things. Always provide food and water unless you plan on transporting your pet by plane. Keep the door to this room closed so that the smells of the movers and other helpers do not stress your pet out. Make sure to label the door so that no one tries to go in there.

Remember that pets can turn aggressive out of fear. It is best to keep your pet totally confined until the last possible moment. Consider placing them in a crate early so that you do not need to fight with them when it is finally time to go. Go over the things in your pet box once more to make sure that you did not leave anything out.

Go!

Remember to never transport your pets in a moving van or truck rental. These places can get very hot and prove fatal for most animals. Give your pet ample time to adjust to the new things around them. Make sure to provide the same schedule as much as you can while the move is occurring. This will help keep your pet under control.

Moving with your pets is possible. Don’t leave them behind because it will be difficult. Your pets are counting on you to provide them with a stable, forever home. A move is no reason to give them away.

The Importance of Open Me First Boxes

Moving is hectic, and many things can get lost quickly. Chances are, when you arrive at your new home, you are going to be exhausted. It is not easy to drive a truck rental for any distance, and the longer your drive was, the harder it will be for you to get up and start unloading as soon as you reach your destination. This is why it is recommended that you pack at least one open me first box.

What is it?

An open me first box is simply the first box that you will unpack. Depending on the size of your home, there may be a need to have more than one of these boxes. For big families, you may want to assign each person one of these boxes. They will include things that cannot be lived without once you reach your new home, or things that you must have to function. When these containers are fully packed, make sure that they are labeled clearly and they are loaded last. You want these packages to be the very first things that you unload from the truck rental when you arrive at your new home.

Things to Include

Each person and family will have a different opinion on what things should go into the open first boxes. If you have assigned each family member a box, let them choose what to put in theirs, but make sure that they each include at least two or three changes of clothes. There is no way to tell when the rest of the clothing will be unloaded or unpacked. Some other very important things that you can include are:

· Paper supplies – Paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, plastic utensils, and paper cups will all enable you to get your life back to a normal state as quickly as possible. Having each of these on hand will allow you to eat, clean, and live in your new home from the very moment that you get there.

· Coffee pot, tea pot, or pitcher along with the appropriate drink mix. Depending on your needs and tastes, having these things packed in the open me first box will enable you to have a great first morning in your new home as well as providing some semblance of normality to your destination.

· Common tools, paper and pens, pots or pans, dishcloths, and dish soap. These items will allow you to get right into things. You will be able to assemble things without having to wait on the tools box to be unloaded. You can start cooking some stuff on the stove, and you will be able to clean the dishes that you do make. The pen and paper will allow you to keep the kids busy or help you keep track of things.

· Medications and personal hygiene items. These things are vital to daily life, especially if you plan on working with any other people. Make sure that you have enough medication to last until you have a chance to establish yourself with a new doctor.

Now you can see why having an open me first box is so important. Just remember, when packing these boxes make sure to keep them separate from any other boxes, especially if you have any help loading, unloading or packing your things. This will prevent them, and their very important contents, from becoming lost.

How to Load a Truck Rental the Right Way

So you have chosen to move yourself with the aid of a moving truck rental. This is a great moving option open to people today, and you can be happy that you have chosen one of the most flexible moving methods around. You know that you can schedule and move yourself around almost any schedule, but it can be difficult to load a truck if you have never done something like this before. Don’t worry though, loading a truck is not as hard as it might sound.

What’s First?

With so many different things, it may be hard for you to find a starting place. Some movers suggest that you load the large and bulky items into the truck rental first, but it simply makes more sense to load your boxes first. This does not mean that you should pack all of your boxes in the front of the truck, but a good majority of them should go there. You will be building a wall inside of the truck as you give yourself more room to maneuver inside your home. This way, when it comes time to move your appliances and furniture, you will have more area to shift things around in.

Loading the Big Stuff

It is important to remember that a truck has a center of gravity just like anything else. Due to this fact, it is important that you make sure to balance the weight within the truck. If you have a lot of heavy appliances or half of your boxes are full of books, you need to make sure to space things out on both sides. When you load your appliances, make sure that you protect buttons and knobs with empty boxes or extra padding. Use your mattresses to pad glass or other breakable mirrors. If it is possible, make sure that you load things along the trucks walls so that you can strap things down as they are loaded. In order to protect a couch, consider placing it on end within the truck so that you can avoid stacking boxes on top of it as well as making good use of the space within the truck.

Fragile Things

Anything delicate or fragile should be loaded on the top of any stacks of boxes. Plants or other boxes that contain breakables should never have anything stacked on top of them. Remember that you can use your existing linens and other pieces of furniture to protect things that may shift and become damaged. Mirrors should be placed between a wall and a mattress. Chairs should be stacked and wrapped in linens or furniture padding to prevent scratches. Heavy and odd shaped items can be loaded between or under furniture as needed. Make sure that you use the best of the space that you have to work with.

Final Considerations

No matter how much you are moving, or how big of a truck you are loading, making use of all of the space you have will always be the most cost effective method of moving. Make sure that you take a test drive of the truck rental before you decide to start your trip, as the truck may feel vastly different loaded to the hilt than it did when it was empty. Take your time and make sure to follow all of the safety requirements and suggestions. If you take all of this into account, then you will be sure to have a easy and stress free move.

What You Need To Know Before You Get A Rental Truck

Before you decide to rent a truck for your next relocation project, you need to make sure that you have a firm understanding of a few very simple things. Knowing these things will help you avoid any problems that may come along in your truck renting journey.

Where are you Going?

The most important thing you need to know about rental trucks is where you are moving to. You need to have a location on hand to let the rental company know where you will be dropping the truck off. In local cases, you can rent the truck and drop it off in the same location. For long distance moves, you need to know a city where you will be bringing the truck to in order to reserve your truck.

When are you Going?

The next most important thing that you need to need to know about rental trucks is the dates that you will need the vehicle. You can keep the truck for almost any period of time, but you should try to condense this time as much as you can in order to keep your rental costs down. Most trucks can be rented for as little as a day to as much as two weeks. Remember that you will be charged per 24 hour period that you are in possession of the truck.

What’s Included?

Before you sign any contract, make sure that you know everything that is included with the rental. Usually rental trucks include the use of the truck plus a specific amount of miles. Extra miles will be charged on a per mile basis, so you need to be aware of how many miles you will be driving. Keep in mind that extra equipment will also be charged on an as needed basis. So make a list of any furniture pads or dollies that you will need before you contact the rental place.

Are you Covered?

The last thing that you need to know about rental trucks is the coverage that is included in the rental cost. While some companies will offer you a certain level of protection for your goods as well as the truck, you should consider purchasing extra to cover any accidents or damage that may occur during your trip. Sometimes, your auto insurance company will cover some of this cost, but most of the time you will have to purchase specific coverage for your move. Make sure that you have a policy that will cover the truck and a policy that will cover your belongings as well.