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Are you the kind who prefers to hit the road??? If yes, then Driving or Renting A Truck or Van while moving becomes as important as choosing a Good Moving Company. You can always consult the following Tips to know how you can deal with trucks the best:
Choosing A Truck:
How to choose a Truck? Rather than hiring a Full Service Moving Company, you can hire a truck and do everything for yourself. This will be cheaper and also will gratify your desire to hit the road. But if you opt for renting a Truck there are certain things that should be considered.
Time: Usually during the weekends it is difficult to get a truck. The problem further aggravates in summer season, as summer is a nice time to drive and you will definitely prefer to drive all your belongings by yourself. So to avoid last minute tension, do your booking at least a month before.
Check Quotes: Want to make a Cost Effective Deal? Do not forget to check out the quotes for renting trucks from different moving companies before you book somewhere. To get the best quotes, you must know the size of your truck.
Other Influencing Factors:
- Understand your Rental Agreement thoroughly. If you do not understand anything, do not hesitate to clarify it with the Truck Rental Company.
- Check the Insurance Policy of the company as Rented Trucks are not covered by the Driver’s Credit Card or Auto Insurance Policy.
- In case you need to store any item, check with the truck rental company if they offer any storage place.
So you are done with the Paper Work. Once you are through the paperwork, do not forget to take a Test Drive for at least 30-40 minutes. On a summer day or at a weekend, even in-between your working day, this can be a fascinating experience for you, but do not ever forget to notice few things while you are taking a test drive:
- Check if there are any Oil Leakages
- Check the Brakes, see they are fully functional
- See whether the tires are in good condition.
- Do not forget to check the Lights, Direction Signals, Speedometer, Wipers, and Odometer.
Choosing The Right Price For Hiring Trucks:
- The price for hiring a truck is highly flexible. It varies from one Truck Renting Company to the other and also on a day to day basis.
- The fluctuation is basic because of the demand and availability of the trucks. The rent therefore varies from one day of the week to the other, times of a year, even of a month and during weekends.
- The trucks are often regarded as do-it-yourself moving for locals and moves within the towns. For local rents, the trucks are charged daily or on a per-mile rate. Again, this is also not independent of demand and availability factor.
- One way Rental Trucks depend largely on availability of trucks. They will drop you where ever you want, so obviously the rentals for these trucks are pretty high and have different variations. You are charged for the number of days and miles you use the truck and also for the days and miles it took to come back.
- A deposit is always required while you are hiring a truck. Some companies insist on credit cards while there are others that insist on cash.
- If you are not ready to pay any penalties, make sure that the truck is fueled when you reach the destination.
Other Influencing Factors:
License: Although the requirements for renting a truck differs from company to company, all the renters make it a point to check that the person who is renting the car must have a driving license.
Age: Some of the truck renting companies require the driver to be 18 years old, while others want to be 21 years, there are still others who want that the driver should be at least 25 years old.
Responsibility: The person who is driving the truck is responsible for any damage, theft or accident of the truck. But there are certain other companies who allow coverage for more than one person for extra fees.
Things To Remember:
- It is always wise to get a special coverage from the truck rental company as auto insurance and credit card may cover regular rental cars but not moving vehicle.
- A dolly or hand truck is also a wise idea. This will save your back from the stress of heavy weight lifting. It will also speed up your moving process. The furniture pads will ensure the security of your furniture from scratches and damages during the move.
- Towering your car can definitely reduce stress because two of you can sit comfortably. For safe and simple use, two towering systems are also available.
How to Drive: Do not have a prior driving experience?? Don’t you worry. The following tips will guide you to drive safely to your destination:
- Before you start driving, one thing that you should put firmly in your mind is that driving a truck needs more space and time that any of your vehicle of personal use.
- Another thing that you should do before you actually start driving a truck is that you should familiarize yourself with the truck. Sit on the seat of the truck, adjust the mirror, and get to know all the switches and controls. Get familiar with the horn, light, turns and signals.
- Follow all the traffic rules, fasten your seatbelt, control your speed, use headlights and pass with care.
- Trucks are not allowed to drive on parkways, so avoid them.
- Adjust your side and rear view mirror. Keep enough distance for safe lane change.
- Know how long or tall your truck is and pass safely through the bridges, underpasses and canopies.
- Turns need more time to stop the car. So you must know to brake easily.
- Never try to back up if you are carrying a car hitch.
- If the fuel gage registers half fuel, gage it.
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