The Do’s and Don’ts of Rental Vehicles

November 05, 2019, 2:44

You’ve scheduled your rental truck or van with Marcus Allard Truck Rental and are ready for your big move. But before you get behind the wheel, make sure you know about the most common mistakes people make when they use rental vehicles. Some can cause you inconvenience while others are costly. Here are five things you should keep in mind when renting a truck or van. To learn more about getting the most out of our rental vehicles, call our team today!

Put Important Items Elsewhere

Our rental moving trucks might be large enough to fit everything you own, but that doesn’t mean you should empty your entire home into the truck. Consider your most important items and move those in a more secure vehicle. Medication, legal certificates and irreplaceable heirlooms you’ve inherited from your great grandparents are among countless items that do not belong on a moving truck. Keep them in a safer place where you can account for them.    

Don’t Drive Recklessly

Considering how stressful moving can be, it’s understandable that some people just want to get their move over with as soon as possible. This is not an excuse to speed or drive recklessly. Safety should always be your top priority. Of course, this is true no matter what kind of vehicle you’re driving. However, keep in mind that you aren’t driving a tiny car. You can’t make quick stops or sharp turns. Understand that you are driving a large, heavy vehicle that can potentially harm others: drive accordingly. Box trucks and pickup trucks that are hauling thousands of pounds require a conspicuous focus on caution. Driving slowly will help you get a feel for the truck. 

Pay Attention to the Payload

Couches, mattresses, tables…trying to fit your entire home into a moving truck can be a chore. Don’t be tempted to squeeze everything into a single truck. While spacious, our moving trucks can only handle so much weight. Going over the payload can wear down the truck. The same goes for pickup truck rental. Never attempt to haul more weight than it can handle. While our pickup trucks can tow most boats and campers, confirm that the object you’re towing is within the truck’s payload limits. It’s always better to double-check. 

Keep Passengers Away From the Cargo

Our moving trucks and pickup trucks have spacious backs for you to load everything you need to move. However, this does not mean you should put living things in the storage areas! You might think that you can bring some extra passengers along, but bulky objects might tip over or move around. This is incredibly unsafe and can cause severe injury. Instead, seat everyone in the front. All of our moving trucks have front seating that can comfortably fit 3 people, so there’s no need to make passengers go in the back. 

Don’t Ignore the Weather

Once you’ve booked a rental and determined how long you’ll need the vehicle for, be sure to track the weather forecast for that time period. Planning ahead for harsh road conditions can save you a rough trip. Know your path well, and designate locations where you can rest and recoup if necessary. Our rental trucks are not easy to maneuver through snow and ice, even for seasoned drivers. If possible, try to avoid driving through dangerous weather. This is not always a feasible option, so if you must drive in less-than-ideal conditions, take extreme precaution at all times.  

Rent A Truck From Marcus Allard Truck Rental!

The other best way to ensure your truck rental goes smoothly is to rent a vehicle from Marcus Allard Truck Rental! With a knowledgeable staff that’s ready to help you, we guarantee you’ll be pleased with our service and professionalism. Contact us today to book a rental.