Renting a truck for DIY moving can be a good way of cutting your moving costs. It can also offer you the flexibility of deciding when to move.
If you decide to roll up your sleeve and go the DIY moving route, you must understand how to hire a moving truck.
With many services having moved online, this is one of the options you can use to find the best deal on your truck rental. Here are guidelines on how to rent a moving truck online.
Choosing a moving truck
First, you will need to decide the truck size you will need for your move. You can go through the company website to determine the size of trucks they have. Start your selection here!
A key factor to consider is the size of your home, the number of bedrooms, and the size of the furniture that you will be moving.
Ensure that you have a clear picture of your stuff. In most cases, homeowners end up underestimating their belongings. A good idea is to pick a moving truck with 10% extra space.
Many companies will guide you on the size of the moving truck you need. However, always take stock of your belongings so that you can compare them with what they offer you.
You can also use an online moving truck calculator that can help you determine the size of the truck you need. Take time to seek reviews of the moving company.
Again, use online resources such as the Better Business Bureau page. You can also ask for your friends and neighbours’ recommendations.
Cost of the moving truck
How much should you pay for a moving rental? Here are a few factors that will affect your moving cost.
- Local move rate
For local moves, you will pick the truck and return it to the location you selected it from. Local moves are usually charged either on a day rate or mileage.
The day rate is the amount you will pay for the truck. This is what you will be seeing in most advertisements. The rate is usually higher during peak season.
Your rate can range from $19.99 to 29.99 per day for the 10-17 truck and $29.99 to 39.99 for the 20-26 truck. On top of the day rate, you will also handle the mileage.
The mileage rate will differ depending on the season but usually ranges from $0.69 to $0.79 per mile on weekdays to $0.99 per mile during the weekend.
This cost will also increase when you consider fuel, insurance, moving supplies, and accessories.
On top of these costs, you will want to consider the toll costs if you will be driving a truck over 10,000 pounds and for a long distance. You can confirm with the truck rental company where you should expect these toll stations along the highway.
- Long-distance rental
If you need a one-way rental, the cost will depend on different factors such as the size of the truck, customer demand, popularity of the route, time of the year (peak or off-peak), distance, and duration of the move. To get the best quote, you can compare the cost of one-way rental of different moving companies online.
- Furniture padding and dolly
You need to ensure that you have enough padding to protect your furniture during the move. Fortunately, many truck rental companies also offer the necessary padding to protect your furniture.
The padding costs usually $15 to $25 per dozen. A moving dolly can cost anything from $10 to $15. The truck rental company may provide the dolly for local moving at no extra charge.
- Help with loading and unloading.
You should realize that the company doesn’t provide loaders. Therefore, you will need to find people to help you with the move.
If you need to hire people to load and unload, this will affect the cost. The amount you pay will depend on the size of the truck, location, access conditions, and the amount of help you need.
- Fuel
If you are moving locally, the cost may be minimal. However, it can be a major expense for long-distance moving. You can use a truck rental calculator to budget your fuel.
Truck Rental Company
Whether it’s a local or a one-way rental, the cost will also depend on the truck rental company. There are three major companies, and the most affordable.
These are Budget, Penske, and U-haul. The rate will vary from one company to the other. This is why it’s advisable to shop around.
Research what the cost includes, as some companies may have hidden charges. You can use an online form to request quotes from different moving companies for the best deal.
When considering the truck rental cost, you will want to consider where you will be returning the truck.
Will this be in the same lot you picked or a different one close to your destination? Are there any other fees associated with a one-way move?
When finding a moving truck that meets your budget online, you will want to compare the prices of different companies. Also, ensure that you play around with dates.
Try Filling in the different pickup and drop-off points. Moving during summer is usually the most expensive, especially on Labour Day and Memorial Day.
It would be best if you also used sites like this that compare the cost of moving between companies.
Get truck insurance
While it’s not a must for you to buy truck rental insurance, this can be worth considering. Even if you are an experienced driver, driving a moving truck cannot be easy.
In an accident where the truck or your goods are damaged, the truck repair and maintenance can come at a high cost.
Your regular insurance will not cover the truck rental cost; therefore, you will want to ensure that you have additional coverage. DIY truck rental companies have these types of insurance:
- Limited damage waiver (LDW)
This insurance covers theft or damage of the truck or the towing equipment. As long as you use the truck rental as per the contract terms, you can avoid the financial burden of the repair.
- Personal accident insurance (PAI)
This provides coverage in case you or your passenger are injured during an accident.
- Cargo insurance (CAI)
This insurance covers you and your items due to accidents or natural disasters when parked or during accidents. Take note that the insurance doesn’t cover loading and unloading.
- Supplemental liability insurance
This insurance offers coverage against claims from third parties. If you or your authorized driver causes injury to a third party or their property when driving a truck, this insurance will cover you.
- Towing insurance (TWI)
If you tow your car behind the truck, you will need towing insurance. This insurance will protect you against damage to your vehicle when it’s being pulled.
Remember that the insurance will depend on your company. Therefore, you should check with the truck rental company for the best coverage for your vehicle.
The rate you pay for your insurance will vary, but you can pay anything between $30 and $40 per day for the coverage.
Book the truck rental early enough.
A good idea is to ensure that you book the truck rental at least one month in advance and about six weeks before the summer months.
By booking early, you can increase your chances of getting a sound truck at the right price.
On the other hand, when you book the moving truck at the last minute, you may find that the vehicle you needed wasn’t unavailable.
Get the right moving equipment and boxes.
You will need to calculate the number of moving boxes you will need and whether you may need to rent the cardboard boxes or moving bins.
Remember that the right equipment can make your whole moving experience better.
Some items you can get from the moving company include hand trucks, furniture pads, and dollies. You may need to buy some accessories such as gloves, mattresses, rope, moving blankets, and more.
Logistics of the moving
You will need to decide the route you will be using for the move. Fortunately, many moving trucks have a GPS.
You will, however, need a GPS backup or smartphone so that if the GPS loses signal, you will still be covered.
Ensure that you map out your move before you can go out. Remember that your journey can be complicated by traffic.
You should also:
- Get a moving permit
Many cities across the county need a moving permit if you will be parking the truck on the street. If you don’t want to get towed, make sure you have a moving permit.
If the moving company doesn’t help you with the permit, you can apply for one on the website of your new city. Make sure that you have filled out the application at least two weeks in advance.
- Understand how to pack and unpack the track.
You will want to ensure that your belongings remain as organized as possible. This can make the whole process of loading and unloading to be easier.
When loading the truck, ensure that you start with the heaviest items.
Line the walls of the moving truck with softer items, such as mattresses, and fill gaps with the smallest and lightest items. This guide will help you further!
- Do you have driving knowledge?
Before entering the driver’s seat, ensure you can comfortably drive a moving truck.
You can start by driving the lorry around your neighbourhood to get a feel for the truck.
Remember that the truck will take more extensive runs and need more space for changing lanes. The car also requires more stop to stops, so you will need to keep your distance.
Understand the height of the truck and be keen on the road signals.
- Fill the truck with gas.
Before you return the truck, you will need to fill it with gas or get fined.
FAQs on renting a moving truck online
Here are the frequently asked questions on moving truck rental.
Do you need to be over 25 to drive a moving truck?
The age restrictions will vary depending on where you will be driving and the specific rules of the truck rental company.
Some companies require moving truck drivers to be at least the age of 24, but they can bend the rules for a few corporate clients.
But a glance at the U-haul and Penske website indicate that their minimum age requirement is 18 years.
Do you need a special license to rent a moving truck?
No, you don’t. You don’t need a CDL or special license to rent a moving truck. This is because most rental trucks have a GVWR below 26,000 pounds; hence, they do not need a CDL to drive. We give more details about non-cdl box truck requirements here!
Can you rent a moving without a credit card?
Yes, you can rent a moving truck without a credit card. However, you will need to visit the offices of the rental company to do so.
If you need to book online or on the phone, you will need a credit card.
Final thoughts
After you have decided to go the DIY route, the next step is to hire a moving truck.
One of the ways to get a good idea is by filling out an online form to request quotations from different moving companies.
Doing so can get the best deal on your truck rental. It would be best if you also used the above guidelines to avoid the pitfalls of a moving truck rental.
