Things to Know Before Getting a Moving Truck

The process of moving to a new house can be both thrilling and stressful, so picking the correct moving truck is crucial to a smooth transition. There are crucial things to understand before renting a moving truck, whether you’re moving across town or across the nation.

Being informed will help guarantee a smooth and stress-free relocation, from selecting the appropriate truck size to understanding the expenses and regulations involved.

If you follow these fifteen steps, you should be able to easily enough to pick out the perfect moving truck for you. Pro moving tip: if you hire movers, you don’t really need to worry about any of these things.

1. Picking Out the Correct Size Moving Truck

Trying to pick out a moving truck to fit all of your objects can be a bit of a tricky task. You can either calculate how much space your stuff will probably take out or go with the advice of the moving company. Either way, we always caution to err on the side of too big, because there is nothing worse than loading all of your items only to realize you do not have enough space in the moving van.

2. There are Lots of Different Moving Truck Rental Companies

U-HAUL is not the only moving truck rental company people! There are lots of choices such as Penske, Budget, and Enterprise for moving truck rentals, so make sure that you shop around to find the best company for your needs and budget.

3. They All Charge Differently 

All the above-mentioned moving truck rental companies have different ways of charging. Generally, moving companies charge by some combination of the number of days you plan on renting the moving van and how many miles you plan on taking it.

4. Your Insurance May Not Cover It 

You will need to provide insurance or one way or another to ensure the moving van in case you get in an accident. Even if you think your auto insurance covers you if you drive in a moving van, it is a good idea to take the time to call the carrier just to double-check that you’ll be covered. You may also check with your homeowners or renters insurance to see if your items are covered by their policy.

5. You’ll Need a Major Credit Card Number to Hold the Reservation

To hold your reservation, you’ll need a major credit card number for the moving company to keep a hold of. This insures moving companies that you just won’t rent a moving truck rental then not show up.

6. Moving Date 

Before you make a moving truck rental reservation, you will need the specific moving date and time that you expect to pick up the moving van. Obviously, this is necessary so that they have the truck available for you when you are ready to move.

7. The Truck Does Not Come with Accessories

Moving pads, cover sheets, bungee cords, and dollies are not included in moving truck rentals. Moving companies will usually rent these out to you during your use of the moving, but it is a good idea to let them know beforehand if you’ll need this type of equipment.

8. You’ll Need a Dolly

You may think you want to skip over the extra expense of the dolly, but take a tip from a pro: get the dolly. The dolly will ultimately save your shoulders, arms, and back from taking a lot of excessive weight. Not to mention the use of a dolly makes a move go a lot faster so you will end up saving a lot of time too.

9. You Probably Will Have to Return the Moving Van

One thing to be sure of is that you know where you are returning the moving van. Just because a moving company has tons of locations where you currently live doesn’t mean they’ll have locations in a different area. This is especially important if you are making a long-distance move because you don’t want to arrive at your new home just realize you need to drive hundreds or even thousands of miles to return the moving van.

10. Check When You Should Return It

After a certain time of day, most moving companies will charge you an extra day, so be sure to return the moving van on time or preferably a little early to be safe.

11. Is Gas Tank Full or Empty 

Most moving companies will want you to return the moving truck with a full tank of gas. For individuals who prefer to avoid having to fill up the truck themselves, certain rental companies may offer customers the choice to pre-pay for a full tank of gas when renting the truck.

12. Where You Can Park the Moving Van at your New Destination

Parking a moving van, especially the larger one, is no easy task. If you are moving to an urban center, it is vital that you know where you can park for moving day!

13. You Can Rent Trailers and Containers Too

Truck rental companies offer cargo vans, pickup vehicles, containers, and trailers for towing in addition to the traditional moving truck.

14. Age Restrictions

Renting a U-Haul moving van is not open to just anyone. Customers must be 16 years old to hire a trailer and 18 years old to rent a moving truck, according to the rental truck company. Customers must have a valid driver’s license in order to rent any option.

15. You Can’t Load Everything onto a Moving Truck

Because of safety and regulatory requirements, some items cannot be loaded onto a moving truck when moving. They include potentially dangerous materials that could endanger the movers and the moving truck, such as chemicals, explosives, and flammable liquids. Perishable foods, household and outdoor plants, and animals are some things that are normally not allowed to be carried onto a moving truck.

In conclusion, renting a moving truck is an essential part of any DIY relocation, and there are a number of factors to consider carefully before choosing one. You may select the ideal moving truck for your requirements and guarantee a successful move by taking into account factors like size, pricing, and regulations.

Also, it’s critical to prepare your possessions for transport and understand what can and cannot be carried onto the truck. You can reduce tension and have a stress-free move to your new house by doing your planning and preparation in advance. You may optimize your moving experience and begin your new chapter successfully by keeping these important aspects in mind.