Common Problems With Renting Moving Trucks and How To Avoid Them

One of the main tools you will need when relocating on your own is a rental moving truck. Even if you can find cheap moving vans for rent, there is still going to be a certain amount of stress involved with completing your project. From sorting through your things to deciding what to keep and what to toss to managing your utilities ahead of the move and more. With so many things to keep you busy leading up to the day of your move, the last thing people want to deal with is problems with a moving truck rental. Thankfully, we have some solid tips that will help you identify and mitigate many common problems that come with budget moving truck rentals.

Reserve your box truck rental for moving as soon as possible

There are a lot of different moving truck rental companies to choose from. You may even end up renting from a peer-to-peer rental truck service. Regardless of where you end you renting your moving van from, it is a good idea to make your reservation as early as possible. One of the most common issues faced by those looking to relocate on their own is a lack of vehicle availability on their actual moving day.

Instead of packing up and having no way to get to where you need to go, reserve your moving truck rental at least two weeks in advance. You can use an easy reservation finder like the one we offer (here) to find the best rates in your area for the dates you need to travel. By making a budget rental truck reservation early, you can rest assured that your vehicle will be ready to go when you are.

The driver is the renter

A lot of people don’t realize that the person who actually rents the moving truck is the one who is expected to drive it. Not only will the rental insurance only covers the truck when the renter is the driver, using another driver also comes with extra fees. If you don’t know how to drive a box truck or rental cargo van, the person who will be driving needs to handle the payment arrangements. However, most rental companies that offer cargo vans and moving trucks for rent will allow you to add a driver to the agreement at an extra cost. That being said, most companies have a minimum age limit of 18 for box trucks and in some states, the age limit is even older. You can check our other post (here) for some rental requirements of some of the top cheap moving truck rental companies in the market.

Plan for extra expenses

A quote for a cheap rental moving truck is meant to give you as close to an idea about the cost before you actually secure the rental. While some rates are guaranteed, in most cases the price you pay at the end of the day will change. This can be due to mileage costs, truck size changes, or even fuel surcharges. There are a lot of conditions and requirements that come with moving truck rentals that are not always included in the initial service quote. Planning for extra fees in advance will ensure that you set aside enough to actually complete your relocation project on

Other common causes of a change in the final amount due are the cost of insurance coverage, late fees for delayed returns, or even the use of additional items such as furniture pads or onboard dollys. Avoid sticker shock and excessive credit card fees by checking the pricing info at the door and before driving off the moving truck rental lot.

Improper storage space

A common problem DIY movers face is not having the right amount of space for their planned relocation. Understanding just how much you have to move from point A to point B will help you choose the right-sized truck from the start. We have an easy-to-follow guide (here) that will help you figure out what size moving truck rental is best for your needs. One reason that people often choose the wrong size is that they look at the outside of the moving truck instead of the inner dimensions.

Moving truck rentals come in a variety of sizes, but all of them share one thing in common. Moving trucks and cargo van rentals have a tendency to look much larger on the outside than they actually are on the inside. Always check the specs before finalizing your truck rental choice. Most cargo van rental companies will allow you to upgrade to a larger size if your current rental is too small. Alternatively, you can simply declutter items you don’t need or make a couple of extra trips.

Another way to get the most out of the space you have is to pack the larger items first and follow up with the smaller boxes. Check out our packing tips post (here) for more suggestions on how to minimize space wastage when relocating.

Take it easy

Securing a rental moving truck is probably going to be the easiest part of your relocation project. Being prepared and making sure you choose the right truck size will make things a lot easier. Also, shopping around for the best rates and reserving your cargo truck rental early will make your move more efficient. Understanding common problems that DIY movers face will help you to both prepare for them and prevent them when possible. Another thing to consider is how to cut down on the cost of fuel so you can better manage those unexpected moving expenses we mentioned earlier.

Calculating the cost of fuel for a rental moving truck

Depending on where you rent your moving truck, the price of fuel may be included, or it may be charged separately. One thing is certain, you must always return the truck with the same fuel level as when you picked it up. Clouting the cost of renting a box truck or moving van is not difficult, but trying to include the cost of gas is where things can get complicated. Let’s take a closer look.

Fuel cost payment options

Rental box truck gas mileage and the cost of fuel are two of the most overlooked aspects of a moving budget. The majority of people will look at the per day cost or the distance cost when choosing a cheap moving truck rental. However, it is the cost of fuel that can really make or break a budget. There are two main methods that companies offer box trucks for rent use to cover refueling costs.

Either a renter will pay the rental company for refueling, or they will refuel the vehicle themselves. Those who are making a long-distance move typically will refuel the moving truck on their own, several times over the course of travel. Short-distance moves however give renters the option of having the moving company cover the cost of gas.

Most rental companies will provide a per-gallon price for their fuel cost depending on the moving truck size and type. Though the contract will list the prices at the time of vehicle pickup, it may be more cost-effective to gas up the truck on your own. At the same time, it may be worthwhile to let the rental truck company refill the tank if the prices per gallon are higher in the market than what is offered during the contract signing. Regardless, make sure that you document how full the tank was when you picked up the truck to avoid being overcharged when you return the rental.

Rental truck fuel cost factors

There are a few different factors that come into play when calculating the fuel cost. Understanding these variables will help you plan your move and stay within your desired budget.

The first variable is how large the truck is and how many miles per gallon the moving truck will get. In general, the larger the moving truck you have, the worse the MPG will be. Larger trucks guzzle more gas and smaller trucks consume less. If you are traveling long distances or if you need to make multiple trips, both need to be factored into the size of the truck you plan to rent.

The next variable is how far you actually plan to travel. Longer distances will require more gas, and shorter distances less. A good way to calculate your fuel cost is by counting the number of miles from one location to the next and comparing it with the MPG of the truck you intend to rent. On that note, how fast or how slow you drive will also affect your fuel consumption. The faster you drive, the more gas the truck will consume. It is important to drive at the proper speed to improve the overall fuel economy. Staying under 49 mph is the best way to limit excessive gas usage, and using cruise control on long trips will also help save gas.

The weight of the rental moving truck and how much you load will also determine your fuel cost. The more you add to the truck, the more gas it will need to get you where you are going. Make sure to pack essentials and avoid traveling with things you really don’t need or plan to keep. This will help you save on fuel costs and keep your moving expenses down. Before we forget, if you are hauling a car in a trailer behind your moving truck, it will also decrease your fuel efficiency.

Gas prices are the last factor to consider when calculating the cost of renting a moving truck. Gas prices vary depending on your location and even different gas stations within the same area. In fact, the gas prices on one side of the city may be cheaper or more expensive than where you start out. Make sure to check the prices at both ends on the day of your move when deciding to self-fuel, or to have the rental company top up the tank.

Tips to help keep the cost of moving truck rentals down

When renting a cargo van for your next move, there is a delicate balance that you have to maintain. Cheap moving truck rentals will help you save money, but not every budget cargo van rental is actually cost-effective. There are many alternative options such as peer-to-peer moving truck rentals that will end up saving you hundreds of dollars. At the same time, many budget options have low per-day rates but higher fees in other areas that make it more expensive in the long run. Thankfully, we have some tips to help you beat the high moving truck rental costs.

Look for deals

The best way to save money on your move is to capitalize on any deals or offers that happen to be running. You can use our (search tool) to find the best live rates for moving truck rentals in your area, or you can visit each site individually. Most rental truck companies will offer seasonal savings to lure customers, especially during the spring and summer.

Make a reservation

As we mentioned earlier in the post, it is important to reserve your moving van rental in advance. Not only will this ensure that you get the right size truck for your needs, but it will also let you lock in a good rate. Often, you can reserve a promotional price by paying a reservation fee even if your actual move date is a couple of weeks out.

Conduct an inspection

One of the easiest things to do that will help you save money is to inspect the moving truck rental before you leave the lot. Make sure the cab and truck are clean and that the tank is at least half full. If there is damage on the truck, make sure it is noted in writing before you leave the lot. These are all things that can end up being charged to your account if they are not noted in advance of your departure.

Fill the tank and return on time

As we mentioned above, get a notation in writing about the gas tank level before you leave the lot. Whenever you return the truck, make sure that the tank is filled to that level to avoid being charged for gas. Also, moving truck rental companies are sticklers for rental returns. Even showing up 20 minutes late can result in hefty fees. Make sure you return the truck on time or earlier to avoid excessive charges. If you are ready to start your moving truck rental search, (click) here to get started.