A lot of people rent moving trucks for their relocation instead of hiring movers. That is also a possible way to relocate your home but it is a more stressful way. This is why it is important that you pay attention to even the smallest details when organizing a DIY move. There are certain things you need to pay attention to when renting a moving truck and we are here to tell you all about them. So, if you were planning on organizing a DIY relocation, you came to the right place. We can tell you everything you need to know and this way your relocation is going to be less stressful and easier to handle.
Rent from a reliable company
As mostly people who are moving on a tight budget opt for renting a moving truck for their move instead of hiring movers, they want to save even more money by renting from a company that had the lowest price point. This isn’t necessarily a bad idea but you get what you pay for. Big chances are that the truck you receive is going to be in bad condition. This is only going to make your DIY move even harder to handle. This is why you have to rent a truck from a reliable company. Penske is a very reliable truck renting company. Their trucks are in good condition and the people working are very professional. It is always best to rent from a company that someone recommended to you so make sure you ask around for recommendations.
Know the size of your move before renting a moving truck
Before renting a moving truck, you need to figure out how big your move is. If you will be relocating a lot of furniture, you’ll need a big truck as furniture is big and bulky. Renting a truck that is too small for your move is the worst thing that could happen to you. But how exactly do you figure out how big your move is going to be? Well, you need to create a list of all your belongings that you will be moving. It is important that you also consider the size of your belongings.
Have in mind that you will have at least a couple of boxes with other things as well as clothing. If you are moving with your family, you won’t have under 15 boxes. It is important to have this in mind. You also have to remember that you will be moving breakable items and that boxes with these boxes can’t be stacked one on top of the other. This means that you will need even more space in your truck.
Different moving truck sizes
Moving trucks come in different sizes. There are very small ones for young people who are moving to college for example. Medium-sized trucks are perfect for couples that don’t own a lot of furniture because they are living in rented furnished apartments. And you have two big trucks – a big one and a very big one. The big one is great for families of just a few people. The really big trucks are for very huge moves and cross country moves.
When choosing a size you should definitely consult the company you are renting from. Tell them which things you are moving and how big the move is. They are the ones that are going to tell you which size of the moving truck suits your needs best. You also need to have in mind that it is much better to rent a truck that is a bit bigger than you need it to be. That is why we would always suggest getting the big truck or the medium truck.
The condition of the moving trucks
The most important thing you need to pay attention to when renting a moving truck is its condition. This is especially important if you will be moving in bad weather such as rain and snow. Some trucks might not be water-proof and if you are moving long distances, your belongings could get damaged this way. This has happened to people during winter relocations and it is why we are warning you. Knowing which season is the best for moving helps.
As you will be driving the truck by yourself, you also need to make sure that the truck is easy to drive. If you are not someone who has experience with driving these trucks, this could be a hard task to manage. Ask the employees of the company to help you figure out the truck and how it works. Ask them for a test drive in their parking lot. A reliable moving company just might let you do this. Companies should find your safety important and if this is going to make you feel safer, they should be able to let you do this with the help of their employees. Even when your truck arrives at your home on moving day, you need to make sure that everything is in perfect shape. That includes tires, oil, breaks, etc.
How much gas does the moving truck use?
Last but not least important thing you need to pay attention to when renting a moving truck is how much gas it uses. This is important as you are the one that is paying for gas. Have in mind that older models spend more fuel than newer models. Newer models are also easier to drive. If you can choose the truck, make sure you always choose the newer ones. This way your moving budget won’t be high and you’ll also have a less stressful move.