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Moving Tips

Read these 271 Moving Tips in 14 categories ranging from Apartment Rental Tips to Storage Tips. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Moving tips and hundreds of other topics. Become a Guru or Become an Advertiser.

Renal Truck Companies

There are many moving truck companies of which you can rent a truck from. Which one you decide to go with depends on your needs and personal choice.

Upack movers drive your belongings to your destination after you have packed and loaded their truck. Upack also offers packing, loading and unloading assistance if needed. Upack is great for one-way moves.

Budget truck rental is another popular truck rental company. Budget has about 2500 locations from which you can reserve your moving truck.

Penske offers free unlimited mileage on one-way truck rentals in the United States.

Uhaul could be the best-known truck rental company in the United States. Uhaul offers both one-way truck rentals and round-trip rentals.

Ryder truck rentals are another popular rental truck company. Ryder does not offer one-way truck rentals; you must pick up and drop off the truck at the same location.

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Utilize Portable Storage

Portable storage is ideal for those who want to have regular access to their belongings but don't need them to be on-hand at home. When packing, take a few steps to ensure your portable storage unit is as functional as you need it to be:

  • Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. They are easier to see through when it comes time to access your things.
  • Clearly mark each box or bin with its contents.
  • make a map of your storage unit so that you'll know exactly what area of the storage unit has what items.
  • If placing furniture in the unit, be sure to cover with a cloth or plastic to protect the surface.
  • Electronic equipment should be packed tightly to avoid moisture damage.
  • For fragile items, ask if there are temperature controlled units available.
  • Always secure your possessions with a heavy padlock.
  • Visit your unit regularly to check on items and keep everything dust-free.

What Size Rental Truck Will I Need?

The size of the truck you rent should depend on the size of your household and how much you need transported. Many truck rental companies will go by the number of bedrooms you are moving. For example, if you have a three bedroom house you can choose from a 17 foot truck or a 24 foot truck (size will vary by company).

If your three bedroom house is very small and doesn't include a basement or shed, etc or more than one bathroom, you may be able to fit your belongings on a truck that is 16 or 17 feet. However, if you have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basement and a shed out back, you may want to look at a truck around 24 feet. It really all depends on what you are moving. If you have a lot of large items, such as a washer and dryer and a refrigerator along with your other household items, you won't want to reserve a truck that is small in size, because those big items will take up a lot of space.

The best way to determine what size of truck rental is best for you is to really take a long look at your belongings, maybe a make list of everything you must pack, and then check out different companies truck sizes and then make an informed decision before reserving your rental truck.

What to Pack...and What Not to Pack

When preparing for your big move, you may be packing your own possessions. This is actually a great moving and storagesolution, since it puts you in control of the care of your things. However, you should be aware that hired movers are not responsible for some items, so you'll need to transport these yourself. Here's a short list:

  • Valuables: Jewelry, heirlooms, cash, etc.
  • Personal documents
  • Medications
Pack these items separately and mark them carefully so they are not confused with the boxes to be shipped by your movers.

How to Rent a Moving Truck

Before you move you'll need to rent a moving truck. Are you confused about how to go about doing this?

First you will want to determine how big of a truck rental you need. Jot down all the rooms of your home and any large items that must be moved. Then compare that to the trucks that are offered for rent at each company you are considering.

Second, compare prices for as many companies as possible for the prices of the truck you wish to reserve. Which company offers you the best deal? Does the company offer extras for a minimal fee or are they charging you an outrageous amount for accessories?

Third, decide which company you wish to go with. Once you have done this you can either reserve the truck online through the company website, or you can call the customer service number given to you to reserve the truck you need.

You will need your credit card as payment and you will most likely be charged a reservation fee or a deposit, which with many companies is refunded when the truck is returned safely and in good shape after the move is complete.

Moving Check Lists

Every smooth-running shipping company uses manifests or checklists to keep track of products going in and out of the warehouse. When it's time for your move, you should think of yourself as a shipping business and your home as the warehouse.

  • Be sure to keep an accurate account of all items as well as the boxes they are in.
  • Make several copies of this inventory list to give to each adult member of the family as well as your movers.
  • When moving day arrives, check off each box as it gets loaded onto the moving truck, and make another check as it gets unloaded and places in your new home.

Truck Rental Discounts- What to Look For?

You know from another tip that you can rent trucks during a specific time of the week or a specific season to save yourself some money on your rental. If you really want to find a cheap moving company that offers budget pricing all the time, you may want to look into local truck rental or moving companies in your area, but you should be looking for the following when renting any moving truck.

If you are working with a local budget moving company or rental company, make sure you check their credentials. You don't want to rent from a company without verified credentials.

Contact the Better Business Bureau concerning the truck rental company you are working with. Read the company's history if necessary and don't do business with a company that has a poor history with the BBB.

Get referrals from others. If you plan on using a local discount moving truck rental company, do your research; ask others what they know about the company before you make a final decision to rent from that company. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Think about the truck you are renting. If you can get away with a smaller truck, try it- you will save yourself extra money by going with a smaller truck. Sometimes just using a smaller truck can help.

Preparing for the Long Haul

Long distance movers specialize in caring for your home possessions when you move from one state to another. You can help the movers -- and yourself -- by eliminating all unnecessary items from your home before the moving truck rental gets there. In every room of your house, ask yourself which items of furniture and other, smaller possessions are really going to be needed in your new home. Are there any items that it would be better to sell now and replace later? (For example, will it be more cost-effective to sell your bedroom set and buy a new one rather than add the cost of having it moved?)

Many of our possessions are simply things that have accumulated over the years and that may have outgrown their usefulness. By removing them from your moving inventory, you'll save time, money and effort for you and your long distance movers.

Driving Your Rental Truck Long Distance

Are you renting a moving truck with the intention of driving it a long distance? The following tips may help you when driving that rental truck and make it as smooth as possible.

  • Before driving, sit in the truck and get the feel of it, look around and check out all of its bells and whistles. Simply finding where everything is before embarking on a trip can make driving the truck much smoother.
  • Remember that trucks that are larger will make wider turns and take longer to stop. Take this into account when driving.
  • How tall your truck is, is an important thing to remember. Low clearances may affect you, as the truck may be too tall to fit under it. Knowing how tall the truck is before embarking on your journey can save a huge hassle.
  • Does your rental truck take diesel fuel or regular gas? If it takes diesel, make sure you know ahead of time some gas stations that carry diesel fuel of which you can stop at on your trip- not every gas station offers diesel fuel.
There are many other things to take into account when driving a rental truck, especially when driving one a long distance. Make sure you read all documents given to you ahead of time and make sure to have your trip well mapped out before you begin!

What Else You May Need

You may be asking yourself once you have your moving truck reserved, just what else you might need that can help make this move as smooth as possible.

If you are towing a moving truck trailer you may need a hitch for your vehicle. You can usually purchase these hitches and their accessories at the rental company in which you are renting the trailer.

You will definitely want a truck rental that has a lift attached to the truck. This makes for easy loading of items. You will also want a dolly for bringing large number of boxes or bigger items from your home to the truck.

Check with the rental company about any other items they recommend to make your move smoother.





 
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