Amazing as it is, moving is a pain. There's the packaging, the lifting, the unpacking-- and someplace therein, you actually have to move your things from one home to another. You can always employ specialists to do this, however that can include a considerable cost to what is already a costly process.
And that's how some movers unexpectedly find themselves behind the wheel of a truck that's several feet longer and several thousand pounds heavier than anything they've ever driven in their lives.
Driving a moving truck can be daunting, but it's possible. With an understanding of what's various about driving such a big, heavy lorry, any knowledgeable driver can transport their own belongings without too much stress. And the cost savings from doing so can be significant.
How to Prepare to Drive a Moving Truck
If you're ready for the challenge of driving a moving truck, there are a few important things you ought to do to prepare:
Research your rental company options, with particular attention to the features of their moving trucks. Modern trucks have tools like rear-facing video to assist with backing up and blind spot sensors that make it safer to change lanes. If these features are very important to you, they may be worth paying a little extra for.
Price quote just how much truck area you'll require for all your things. The majority of truck rental business provide standards to assist you determine what size truck you require, and it is necessary to lease the tiniest truck possible. Smaller sized trucks are not just less costly, they're simpler to drive.
Think about recruiting a pal to join you on your moving journey. If it's another skilled chauffeur and your truck rental contract allows it, you can take turns driving. If you require somebody to direct you in backing up the truck, having a 2nd person can also come in handy.
Buy a GPS install. Purchase a quality phone or GPS install that you can set up in the truck if you plan to use GPS on the journey. It's unsafe to fumble with your gadget while driving any automobile, not to mention a fully-loaded moving truck.
If this is your very first time driving a moving truck, it may be beneficial to rent a truck for a day simply to practice. For in-town relocations, truck leasings are often inexpensive.
Spending plan for gas. In basic, moving trucks get poor gas mileage, and longer trips might end up costing you several hundred dollars in gas.
Security When Driving a Moving Truck
Once your journey has actually started, there are a few additional security ideas to observe:
Try the truck out first. Drive your moving truck around town for numerous miles prior to more info here loading. This is a great way to ensure the truck is running smoothly which there are no mechanical issues. Take the truck back to the rental company and exchange it for another one if you find an issue.
Secure your whole load with rope, bungee cords or straps. Truck rental business frequently lease these devices.
Take note of all road indications that apply to trucks, which you've most likely discovered to ignore. This consists of different speed limits, lane constraints and overhead clearance limits.
Stop securely. Always give yourself additional time and distance to stop the truck.
Prevent shifting your load by driving slower than the surrounding traffic and utilizing the brakes and accelerator gently.
Examine your side-view mirrors frequently, because there are no rear-view mirrors in moving trucks.
When it comes to stopping at weigh stations, follow the law. These laws vary from one state to another, but ABF U-Pack has actually put together a thorough list of state weigh station laws for moving trucks.
If you'll be driving a moving truck through mountains, keep in mind that there will be stretches of road with no shoulder for emergency situation stops. Drive as slowly as needed to ensure your security.
Prevent backing up. Attempt to avoid scenarios where you'll need to support your truck. When parking in a lot, for instance, search for two nearby empty areas so that you can drive straight through.
Purchase the rental insurance from the truck business. Without it, even minor damage to the truck can be expensive.
Moving Truck Alternatives
If you're genuinely nervous about the concept of driving a 16-foot moving truck, consider the other cost-saving alternatives to full-service movers.
There are several moving companies that will do the driving as long as you do the loading and dumping. ABF U-Pack, PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT and a number of other rivals offer a range of shipping container types that you can fill throughout a few days. In order to utilize these services, you'll need a place to drop your containers at both your beginning address and your destination, so they can be challenging for apartment residents in thick urban locations.
If this is an issue, some of these companies will permit you to bring your items 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 lease and drive a truck, and you'll require to move whatever twice on each end of the trip rather of just when. You'll spare yourself the concern of a driving a box truck over a long range.
Driving a moving truck isn't for everyone, but if you observe these finest practices, you'll walk away with a fantastic sense of achievement and a little extra cash in your pocket.