What to Look for in a Truck Rental

Getting a truck rental for moving is becoming more and more popular. People everywhere are jumping into the ‘Do it yourself’ movement. Getting one of these trucks is quite the task, however, if you have never done it before. You need to make sure that you have enough time to think out the process before you actually get the truck. This will help you avoid problems on moving day.

Things to Look For

There are many different options when it comes to a moving truck rental. You need to decide what options are best for you and the job you need done before you attempt to choose a truck. Keep in mind that trucks come in all shapes and sizes, and a taller truck may have a lot of space, but it will be much more difficult to load than a shorter truck of the same length. Always check to make sure that the truck contains enough tie offs for you to secure your belongings to. This can make your move so much easier.

When choosing a truck, make sure that you will be able to drive it. Test it by sitting in the seat and making sure that you can reach everything and see over the dashboard. Look for a truck with air conditioning in the summer, and make sure that you get an automatic transmission if you feel you might have difficulty driving a truck with a manual one. Check to see what kind of ramp or lift system is available as well, because a lot of your things may be quite heavy, and you need to be able to load them into the truck.

Picking it Up

On the day that you pick up the truck, there are a few things that you need to look for. First of all, make sure that you show up early to make sure that the truck you need is available. Rental companies often overbook their trucks to make sure that they are all rented out. If you are late, then you might show up to find that the truck you wanted is not available.

Ask to inspect the vehicle before you leave the lot. Make sure that the seat is not old and uncomfortable, and verify that the cargo area is pretty clean. Remember that dust can have a bad effect on your furniture, so you need to hold the company you are paying to high standards. Test all the functions before you leave the lot, including all lights, emergency flashers, seat belts, radios, ramps, and heating or air conditioning. If something is not to your satisfaction, you may be able to get an exchange or an upgrade.

Remember to Ask

There are many things to know about before you drive off with your new truck rental. You need to make sure to know the answers to many important things such as the cost per mile for renting the truck. Many companies include a certain amount of miles, but you should be aware of the mileage charges when this limit is exceeded. Ask about the fuel types and if you have to return the truck with a full tank.

Don’t forget about insurance. Make sure that you are covered in the event of an accident. Also verify that the company has a twenty-four hour emergency number to contact in the event of a breakdown or other problem. This will prevent you from having to sit and wait for long periods of time when something goes wrong.