Is driving the truck yourself actually right for you?
Not everyone should be the one behind the wheel, and there's no shame in that. Be honest with yourself about a few things: Have you driven anything bigger than a car or minivan before? Are you comfortable backing up without a rearview camera, in most trucks that size? Is your route mountainous, or does it involve big cities with tight turns and low bridges? Will you be driving many hours a day, possibly after a full day of loading? If several of these give you pause, that's useful information, not a failure. A You-Pack/We-Drive company or a full-service mover lets you skip the driving entirely while keeping most of the financial upside of a PPM/DITY move.
Some well-established truck rental companies:
- Penske Truck Rental — a strong force in the industry, with nationwide locations and a large fleet of newer vehicles.
- Budget Truck Rentals — an established company focused heavily on the consumer moving market.
If you do drive it, here's what nobody warns you about
- Know your exact height before you leave the lot. Low-bridge and parking-structure strikes are one of the most common first-timer disasters — the cab feels like a truck, but the box behind you is a foot or two taller than you think.
- Loaded trucks stop much slower than cars, and empty or half-loaded ones sway more than you'd expect, especially in wind or on downhill grades. Give yourself far more following distance than feels necessary.
- Do a slow lap of an empty parking lot before you're on the road, especially for backing up and wide right turns — the rear wheels track well inside the front ones.
Other PPM/DITY options:
Helpful Hints
- Look carefully at what you're getting for your money. Ask about mileage, age of the trucks, lighting in the trucks, etc.
- Don't forget to consider other options — you may find you can save money and have an easier move with a different choice.
- Ask others about their experiences with different companies before making your final decision.