Moving Yourself And Renting A Truck? Here’s How To Make It A Smooth Experience.

Moving is right up there at the top of the list of “most stressful life events,” and the fewer issues, the better. If you’re planning to move yourself and rent a U-haul or similar to do the job, there are things you should know before going in. Even experienced drivers of automobiles need to be aware of the different rules of the road when it comes to navigating a moving truck, both to avoid costly damages and to evade summonses.

The following are a list of tips for amateur truckers and movers.

*Go slowly, especially at first.

The controls of a truck are designed so a person of any strength or size can easily turn, accelerate and brake, so it’s easy to gain confidence quickly. But you need to remember you are much longer and taller than any car or SUV, so drive slowly, especially through residential neighborhoods or when parking or turning.

*Adjust mirrors often, and use them.

Take the time to adjust each of your mirrors, ideally using a buddy, before you set off. Re-adjust from time to time, too. Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists in particular, and remember that just because you can’t see someone in your mirrors doesn’t mean there isn’t anyone there. And finally, remember a rear-view mirror doesn’t exist in most rented moving trucks, so train yourself not to look between the sun visors, but to your left and right at a second’s notice.

*Leave more time for braking

When you pick up your truck and drive it to your abode, it’ll feel as light as the proverbial feather. A loaded truck takes a lot longer to stop than an empty one, though, so start your braking well before that stop sign or red light, and take turns smoothly and carefully.

*Skip the drive-through

Navigating even a small truck for the first time through a drive-through restaurant or bank is an iffy proposition, especially if you live in a city, and the rental company will be only too glad to charge you for any scratches or dents on sides or even the roof of your vehicle. Park the vehicle and walk to the food or the ATM, especially if you’re in a hurry, or super-hungry, or both.

*Read and pay attention to “Maximum height” signs on bridges and parking garages before entering

Also, remember, or write down, the height of your truck for quick reference before you go over a bridge or into a garage whose ceiling turns out to be a foot too short and you dent your roof or worse, get stuck.

*If you have to park the truck and leave it for more a short while, back it up to a wall of some kind.

Thieves typically target the back of trucks for obvious reasons. But if there’s just an inch between a wall and a rear door, they’re probably going to move on and pick another vehicle to steal from. Back up your truck as close as you can to a nice cement wall, especially when leaving it overnight.

*Consider insurance

Any move you do costs more than you think it will and it may be tempting to skip the insurance on a moving truck to save a few dollars. But you’re ultimately responsible for any damage that occurs while the truck is in your care whether it’s your fault or someone else’s, and your own personal auto insurance policy may not cover it. Not all insurance coverage is worth the money, but this one is.