One Way Cargo Vans



There are a lot of pitfalls that the experienced mover avoids when renting one way cargo vans. Whether you're moving across town or moving across the country, here are some valuable tips for renting a moving truck.



Rental companies rent cargo vans (trucks) that require a person doing the renting to have either a drivers (operators) license or a commercial drivers license. As long as you have a license, you can rent the biggest truck they have for that license. Most people will have no problem driving an average size cargo truck or van. But driving a truck that is MUCH larger than what a driver is experienced with is asking for trouble.

When renting a truck, especially a large one, MAKE A RESERVATION EARLY. There is a high demand for one way trucks during weekends and around certain holidays, such as Labor Day. If you wait until a week or two before your moving, you can find yourself SOL. So plan to make a reservation at least 30 days in advance. Reservation prices are subject to change. After you make your reservation, check back frequently for a new quote. If the price drops, reserve the same type of truck at the new rate, then cancel the old reservation, in that order.

There are only a few major rental companies: U-Haul, Budget, Ryder, and Penske. The prices for their truck rentals do not very a great deal, but the positioning of the cargo area, the gas mileage, and the transmission varies tremendously. U-Haul trucks have a low deck, which can make loading and unloading a breeze compared to the high decks on other trucks, and this is important.

Next, consider the amount of stuff you are moving. The U-Haul trucks are noted for the number of bedrooms that each truck will hold. However, when moving a whole house-load of furniture, these numbers are too small. Anyone who has a lot of stuff will need a lot more room than the numbers suggest.

Consider the type of truck you want before making a reservation, determined by the cost of fuel, the MPG, and the transmission type. Rental companies offer trucks with either gasoline engines or diesel engines. If you don't specify which you want, they'll probably give you a gasoline engine. But a 25 cent per gallon difference in the cost of fuel can add up. Since the engines don't get the same gas mileage, ask the company for the MPG and figure out which is cheaper. Also, trucks have either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission. Cargo vans with a manual transmission will get better mileage, but they are not advisable for someone who is not experienced driving a manual. My overall experience has been that Ryder trucks have a much rougher ride and get poor gas mileage, compared U-Haul trucks.