Relocation Tips: Driving a Rental Truck

So you’ve decided to rent a truck for your move. It’s a great idea if you have some items that you prefer handling personally, or if you’ve decided to move everything yourself, but this isn’t the family Camry, this a large powerful vehicle. If you’ve never driven something this size (or even if you have) you’re going to need some advice first. Luckily, it’s not all that hard to adjust to driving a moving truck. Take a little extra care and practice and you’ll be fine. 

Getting Started

Before you even rent the truck you should take inventory of your cargo. That means both weight and size. Once you get those specifications down you’ll be able to pick a truck that will be able to fit all of it.

Secure everything in the truck safely and tightly, this way you can concentrate more on your driving and less on worrying about your belongings.

  • Pack everything tightly together
  • Put old blankets on anything that can be easily damaged, such as wooden furniture or televisions.
  • Use binding ropes or bungee cords to secure things in their place

Getting Comfortable


  • Adjust the seat and mirrors before you start driving.
  • Take the truck for a spin around the block before you take it on the highway. You want to get a feel for the truck before you drive 60 MPH down the expressway.
  • Leave extra time for breaks and avoid tailgating other drivers. Driving a truck (especially when it’s full of boxes and furniture) requires more stopping time than most cars.

Getting There Safely

  • Be prepared for wider turns. The bigger the truck, the wider the turns.
  • Take note of the truck’s height. Some bridges and overpasses are too low to be driven under, but they should all have their height listed in plain view from the road. Never ignore the signs, crashing into one of these would be a nightmare.
  • Change lanes as little as possible. There are larger blind spots for trucks, so if you must change lanes, thoroughly check your mirrors.
  • When parking the truck, allow as much space as possible, especially if you’re parallel parking. You will need plenty of room to maneuver furniture out of the truck.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. You always want to pay attention while you’re driving, but larger vehicles are more complicated. You have to constantly check your mirrors and take mental note of where other vehicles are on the road.

 

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If you follow these tips you should have no trouble making it safely to your new home. Rental trucks are actually easier to drive than you might expect. As long as you stay focused on the road, and mindful of your surroundings, you will be just fine. Good luck!

Human Resources Today