Interesting as it is, moving is a pain. There's the packaging, the lifting, the unpacking-- and someplace in there, you really need to move your things from one home to another. You can always employ specialists to do this, but that can add a substantial expense to what is already a costly process.
Which's how some movers unexpectedly find themselves behind the wheel of a truck that's several feet longer and a number of thousand pounds much heavier than anything they've ever driven in their lives.
Driving a moving truck can be intimidating, but it's possible. With an understanding of what's various about driving such a large, heavy car, any skilled motorist can carry their own possessions without too much stress. And the savings from doing so can be substantial.
How to Prepare to Drive a Moving Truck
If you're all set for the obstacle of driving a moving truck, there are a couple of important things you ought to do to prepare:
Research your rental company alternatives, with specific attention to the functions of their moving trucks. Modern trucks have tools like rear-facing video to aid with backing up and blind spot sensors that make it much safer to alter lanes. If these features are crucial to you, they may be worth paying a little extra for.
Price quote how much truck area you'll require for all your things. Most truck rental companies offer guidelines to help you determine what size truck you require, and it is essential to lease the tiniest truck possible. Smaller sized trucks are not just more economical, they're easier to drive.
Consider recruiting a buddy to join you on your moving journey. You can take turns driving if it's another skilled motorist and your truck rental agreement enables it. Having a 2nd person can also be available in helpful if you require somebody to direct you in backing up the truck.
Buy a GPS mount. If you plan to use GPS on the trip, buy a quality phone or GPS mount that you can install in the truck. It's hazardous to fumble with your gadget while driving any automobile, not to mention a fully-loaded moving truck.
Get some practice. It may be beneficial to lease a truck for a day just to practice if this is your first time driving a moving truck. For in-town moves, truck rentals are often affordable. Practice can help you with things like turning and getting used to the size of the vehicle, but remember that your truck will manage in a different way when it's loaded with all your things.
Budget plan for gas. In general, moving trucks get poor gas mileage, and longer trips might wind up costing you a number of hundred dollars in gas.
When Driving a Moving Truck, Safety
Once your journey has started, there are a couple of extra security suggestions to observe:
Attempt the truck out. Drive your moving truck around town for numerous miles prior to packing. This is an excellent way to make certain the truck is running efficiently which there are no mechanical problems. If you discover a concern, take the truck back to the rental business and exchange it for another one.
Secure your whole load with rope, bungee cables or straps. Truck rental business often rent these devices, too.
Take notice of all roadway signs that apply to trucks, which you have actually most likely discovered to disregard. This consists of different speed limits, lane restrictions and overhead clearance limits.
Stop securely. Always give yourself additional time and range to stop the truck.
Avoid shifting your load by driving slower than the surrounding traffic and utilizing the brakes and accelerator gently.
Check your side-view mirrors often, due to the fact that there are no rear-view mirrors in moving trucks.
Follow the law when it concerns stopping at weigh stations. These laws vary from one state to another, however ABF U-Pack has compiled a thorough list of state weigh station laws for moving trucks.
Usage caution in mountains. Keep in mind that there will be stretches of roadway with no shoulder for emergency situation stops if you'll be my response driving a moving truck through mountains. You'll also need to get ready for steep hills and winding turns. Drive as slowly as needed to ensure your safety.
Avoid backing up. Attempt to avoid situations where you'll require to back up your truck. When parking in a lot, for example, search for two surrounding empty spots so that you can drive directly through.
Buy the rental insurance from the truck business. Without it, even slight damage to the truck can be pricey.
Moving Truck Alternatives
Consider the other cost-saving options to full-service movers if you're truly worried about the idea of driving a 16-foot moving truck.
There are numerous moving companies that will do the driving as long as you do the loading and unloading. ABF U-Pack, PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT and a number of other competitors use a variety of shipping container types that you can fill throughout a few days. In order to utilize these services, you'll need a location to drop your containers at both your beginning address and your destination, so they can be challenging for apartment occupants in dense city areas.
If this is here an issue, some of these business will allow you to bring your products to a local shipping depot and load them onto a truck or into shipping containers there. With this alternative, you'll probably still require to drive a truck and lease, and you'll need to move whatever twice on each end of the trip rather of just as soon as. But you'll spare yourself the concern of a driving a box truck over a cross country.
Driving a moving truck isn't for everybody, but if you observe these best practices, you'll win a terrific sense of achievement and a little additional money in your pocket.