Choosing a Moving Truck
Moving day is fast approaching and you wonder how you are going to get your belongings to the new home? Well if you have not hired a moving company to complete the task, then you need to find a moving truck rental. Many factors will affect your decision to choose a truck rental agency but at the same time, you will want a budget truck rental.
Some of the factors that you may consider when choosing a moving truck rental include: |
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Size of the Moving Truck
This is especially important. A moving truck rental that is too big will smash up your belongings and cause considerable damage. On the other hand, a truck rental that is too small will limit how much you can carry and possibly require more than one trip. Several trips is okay if you are moving within the city limits but anything longer than about a thirty minute drive and a small truck rental would be a nuisance.
To determine the correct size of moving truck rental, ask for recommendations from a couple different truck rental agencies. They may even try to help you when you call for your quote or estimate of the truck rental. If you not sure, always err on the side of the bigger moving truck rental so you can at least fit all your belongings in the truck and complete the move in one trip.
If the moving truck is a little bigger than required, make sure your belongings are not packed too high in order to avoid them from crashing to the bottom of the truck rental. Also, make sure the items are covered with moving pads and made as secure as possible. Do not assume that because the drive is a short distance, your belongings will be okay. One sharp turn with the moving truck rental and many things may be broken. |
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How Many Days Truck Rental Required
When reserving the moving truck rental, you will need to book for a specific time period. The agency will want to know how long it will be in use and when the truck rental will be returned. Plan ahead and know how long it will take you to pack the truck, drive to the new location, unpack the truck and return it to the rental agency. While you are planning the length of time required to use the truck rental service, also think about how you are going to strategically pack the truck rental. |
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One-way or Two-way Moving Rental
If you are moving within a city or to another city close by, it will be best to return the moving truck rental to the location from where you picked it up. For the sake of a little extra time on your part, it will be less expensive than leaving the truck rental at another location.
In the case of a long haul move or one across municipalities or country, you may have no choice but to leave the moving truck rental in the new city. Be sure to inquire about added costs before signing your
truck rental agreement and make sure the details are part of the agreement so that your credit card statement does not shock you when it arrives next month. |
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Rent Dollies, Pads and Boxes from Moving Truck Agency
In order to keep things simple and organized, if you require boxes and packing supplies, try to rent or buy them from the moving truck rental location to save you time. In addition, inquire about renting dollies and carts to ease the load and make it safer for you to carry your belongings.
Lastly, seriously consider renting moving pads or furniture covers from the budget truck rental so that you can pack your belongings in a secure and damage-free manner. The moving pads are similar to large thick blankets and will protect furniture from being scratched and hold items in place in the moving truck. Most times the truck rental agency is only too glad to rent or sell you extras. |
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Get Estimates and Make A Reservation
When preparing your move, call around or look on the internet and get quotes for the moving truck rental well in advance. Try to get at least three or four quotes before comparing them. Each one may be priced differently and you need time to determine the real cost of the moving truck rental. Add up the prices of all the extras as well as the truck rental itself and decide which is the best deal.
Once you have decided which budget truck rental agency to use, make a reservation so that you know the truck will be booked for the length of time that you require the budget truck rental service. Also, book, with a company that has been in operation for some time and has some history of conducting a legitimate truck rental business. |
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Additional Tools or Equipment
Once you have made your list of oddball or out of the norm items, let the truck rental agency know what you are moving. The
moving van rental may rent out specialized tools and equipment for the sole purpose of moving a particular item. It will save you the time and effort of hauling items that are difficult to carry and at the same time, using proper tools and equipment will save the item from potential damage.
Since the truck rental agency may have a limited supply of the tools, book these items with your moving truck rental reservation to ensure availability on your moving day. Do not assume that the tools will available from the budget truck rental company when you need them especially during peak moving times. |
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Have Your Documents in Order
On the day that you will pick up the
moving truck , review all your personal documentation and ensure that nothing is amiss. Do this before you arrive at the truck rental location so that your rental is processed smoothly and quickly.
Any documents that are not in order such as an expired credit card or insurance that is not valid will hamper your efforts to use the truck rental services. Remember that the person processing your order will have the last say in your truck rental. |
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Whether You Are Permitted to Drive the Truck
This point seems somewhat obvious but it amazing how many people think that because they have a general driver’s license, they can jump in a moving truck rental and go. These trucks are very much different than driving a car or a little pickup truck. Be sure that you are capable of driving the moving truck rental before you go out on the road.
In addition, although, the truck rental agency would not permit you to drive the vehicle without a valid driver’s license, some of the longer and bigger moving truck rentals may require special licensing. Inquire when you request your quote so that you know in advance if you are permitted to drive the truck rental with your general license. |
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Towing Bars for Boats, Cars - Trailer for Snowmobiles, Skidoos, Motorcycles
Before you call for your estimate and reserve your moving truck rental, list all items that are out of the ordinary. For example, if you have a boat and trailer, you may require a towing bar to pull them behind the moving truck rental. If you have a motorcycle or snowmobile, you may require an extra trailer from the truck rental agency. Another example would be extra items that will not fit in the
moving truck rental; you may need another closed in trailer to pull behind. |
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Weigh Stations or Government Inspection Stations
When using larger moving truck rentals, you may be required to stop at weigh stations along the way. There also, may be government inspection stations when crossing state lines. Ask the moving truck rental agency for the legal requirements as they relate to your specific budget truck rental. Also, if possible, obtain a map of weigh stations in advance. You must comply with all the same rules on the road to which a moving company would adhere if they were contracted to move your belongings. |
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Proof of Ownership, Registration and Insurance
Before you leave the truck rental agency lot, be sure to ask where the ownership, registration and insurance for the budget truck rental vehicle are kept. Insure that you have all documentation for the vehicle in case of an accident or in the event that you are pulled over by the police for another reason.
In summary, with any move, it is most important to plan ahead and be as organized as possible. Using a moving truck rental service is even more crucial because by the time it comes to rent the truck, you are under time constraints. The move needs to be done and now.
With the moving truck rental, you most likely are not in a position the day of the move to say “oops we forget this, oops that is not working”. Therefore, when using a moving truck rental service, make a checklist to ensure that you are prepared, ask the right questions and rent or buy the necessary moving aides from the budget truck rental business.
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