If you're planning a move, and you've decided it's going to be a do-it-yourself move, you'll need to rent a truck. While renting a truck isn't difficult, there are some things you'll need to take into consideration before you do. Taking care of a few pre-planning issues will help you avoid complications. Here are four steps you should take before you rent a box truck for your next move.
Make Sure You Can Drive it
If you've never driven a box truck before, they'll take a bit of getting used to. Because they're larger than a typical passenger vehicle, and more difficult to maneuver, you'll need to make sure you're ready to drive it. The best thing to do is bring someone along who'll be able to drive if you decide you can't. That way, you won't be stuck at the rental yard, unable to get out of the driveway.
Get the Right Size
Regardless of whether you're moving across town, or across the state, you want to make sure you get the right sized truck. Renting a truck that's too large will leave you with lots of wasted space – which could result in damaged property, if the boxes and furniture shift abruptly during transport. Renting a truck that's too small could leave you making more trips than you needed to; unless you're moving across the state. In that case, renting a truck that's too small could require you to leave some of your belongings behind. If you're not sure what size of truck you'll need, ask the attendant at the rental company. They can help you choose the right size for your particular needs.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
When you rent a box truck, you'll be liable for any damages that you incur. If you're going to be relying on your own vehicle insurance coverage, make sure it will cover your rental truck. If it doesn't, pay the extra for additional coverage. The last thing you want is to damage the vehicle and find out that you don't have insurance coverage for it.
Schedule Well in Advance
If you're going to be moving during a peak time – such as weekends and holidays – you'll want to schedule your rental truck well in advance. Rental companies get busy during those time, and if you don't schedule in advance, you could find yourself without a truck. Prevent problems by scheduling the truck as soon as you can.
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