MOVING TRUCK RENTAL

LOOKING FOR A MOVING TRUCK RENTAL FROM U-HAUL?

Here’s 12 things you should know

Preparations are under way for your moving day, and you’ve decided you want to try and DIY the move. One of the most important things you require is a truck to haul your possessions from your old place over to your new house. The natural choice for most is to rent a truck from U-Haul – which is easily the most renowned truck rental company. Apart from offering truck rental services, they also carry and provide most other moving necessities such as moving pads/blankets, bungees and straps, boxes and other packing supplies.

However, before you decide to rent that U-Haul, here are 12 things you should know first.

  1. Distance Restrictions
    • Thinking about using a U-Haul for a long-distance move? Not all of U-Hauls rentals are available for long distances. Specifically, their open trailers, cargo vans and pick-up trucks are exclusive to local moves only.
  2. Rental Variety
    • When you think of U-Haul you typically think of just their trucks. However, in addition to renting a truck, consumers are also offered the choice of renting: pick-up trucks, cargo vans, as well as trailers and containers for towing.
  3. Seating capacity
    • In the majority of U-Haul’s rentals, you will be able to seat up to three individuals. However, their 10-foot moving truck and cargo van only has the space to seat up to two individuals. So, if you’re planning a move with three or more people with either of those vehicles, unfortunately they will have to have their own means of transportation.
  4. Size Variety
    • When renting a truck to move your household possession from point A to point B, one of the most important things is to ensure you have a sizeable enough truck to move all of those items. As the saying goes “it’s better to be safe than sorry,” you’d much rather have space left over in the truck than begin packing the truck and find you’ve run out of room. U-Haul has a size guide online which outlines the size of the truck which should be enough for the average move quantified by size. For smaller moves, ex a one-bedroom moves, the 8-foot, 9-foot or 10-foot trucks should prove sufficient. For medium sized moves, ex apartments, 2 plus bedroom moves, the 15-foot, 20-foot and 26-foot trucks should prove sufficient. Keep in mind that the 26-foot is the largest size available however, you are able to tow a trailer with this truck if you require further cargo space.
  5. Additional mileage or days for one-way trips
    • In these cases, you can rest assured that U-Haul offers their clients the ability to purchase additional mileage or days for one-way trips. As a customer, you are charged $0.40 per mile if you surpass the allowed mileage for your rental period. If you find you require additional days for your move the pricing is as follows: $40 per day for a truck, $20 per day for a trailer and $20 per day for towing devices. It is important that you communicate your need for additional days with the U-Haul employees from your pick-up location.
  6. Gas Mileage
    • As with all large vehicles, U-Hauls rental trucks offer poor gas mileage. Although it may not add up to become a significant cost for local moves; if you are planning a long-distance move definitely budget a sizeable allowance for gas. The cost of tanking up trucks adds up quickly, especially for the larger trucks. For example, the 26-foot moving truck gets only 10 miles per gallon.
  7. Loading a U-Haul
    • Learning/knowing how to load the back of the truck can save you time and money. Not to mention the added benefit of a much less stress filled move! Here are a few tips to keep in mind when loading a truck with your household belongings:
      1. Ensure all large furniture items are disassembled
      2. Use moving pads/blankets to protect furniture from any preventable damages during loading, transportation and unloading
      3. Load the truck full of all the boxes and square/rectangular furniture items first
        • These can be packed neatly against the back wall of the truck and can be stacked high
      4. Use mattresses and box springs to secure the boxes and furniture
        • Stand these vertically and strap them in so it prevents the boxes and furniture from coming loose when driving
      5. Place couches so they are standing vertically to save space
      6. Ensure you are using straps and bungees appropriately so no items can bounce around and come loose during transportation
  8. Weigh stations
    • U-Haul states that clients are not normally required to stop at weigh stations as they are not operating a commercial vehicle as part of a commercial move. However, it is sometimes required for rental trucks to stop at weigh stations if the total weight exceeds 10,000 lbs. you can always find out more about weigh station requirements by visiting the transport Canada website.
  9. More than just trucks and trailers
    • In addition to renting vehicles, trucks and trailers, you can also purchase moving supplies from U-Haul. The company has a wide variety of moving supplies and other add-ons available. These add-ons can be made at the same time as your reservation for a rental, or completely independent! U-Haul offers the following: moving boxes, covers and bags, ropes, ratchets and straps, packing supplies, lights, wiring, motorcycle towing, locks and much more.
  10. Age requirement
    • First and foremost a valid driver’s license is required to make a reservation of any kind. As per the U-Haul website, to rent a trailer you must be at least 16 years of age, and in order to rent a moving truck you have to be at least 18 years of age.
  11. Other options
    • Although U-Haul is the most popular choice for most, there are also many other moving truck rental companies you can chose from. For example; Penske, Driving Force, Budget and Ryder. Although U-Haul offers trucks with a lowered deck height and an “EZ-load” ramp alongside many locations nation-wide. The other options for moving truck rentals may offer better incentives and promotions to rent their moving trucks, and some may also come with a hydraulic lift if you are looking to move heavy items such as pianos, gun safes and large appliances. When deciding on which rental company to use, make sure it’s one that reflects best on your budget and has locations that easily accessible from both your moving from and moving to addresses.
  12. Hire movers
    • Did you know you can hire movers even if you are renting a moving truck? Maybe you want help with just packing the moving truck to ensure its safety during transportation. Or perhaps you only require help unloading the moving truck to get it done faster. Or maybe you would like to hire professionals to both load and unload your moving truck. Whatever the case, a moving company can often be hired at a much cheaper rate, as they are only charging you with labour costs as opposed to labour plus truck overhead. Thinking of hiring movers to compliment your moving truck rental? Give us a call and find out how we can help: 403-402-7992!

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