Renting A Truck and Hitch for Moving- The Pros and Cons To Consider

Renting a moving truck is a great and efficient way to move a house or small office. While driving, you may require a hitch to attach a trailer or travel with your car attached. However, there are pros and cons to consider for this method of relocation.

Different costs and preparation are required for a successful transition if you're looking to relocate locally or across the country. Let's review some pros and cons of using a rental truck and hitch and other tips for transporting your vehicle during a move.

The pros of renting a moving truck

Renting a moving truck still proves effective and reliable in today’s world for many reasons. Depending on the size of your home, hiring a moving company can be very costly, and you have to rely on a company’s operations to complete your moving needs. When appropriate, renting a moving truck and packing your items on your own is a solution to relocating on a budget.

It gives you full control

Renting your moving truck gives you control over different aspects of your relocation. For instance, you select a moving date, pick-up time, drop-off time, and location. You choose when and where to pick up your rental and when you’ll return the truck.

This flexibility provides ease throughout the packing and loading phase. Since moving and packing can be strenuous, you’ll benefit from the flexibility and ease of reserving your moving truck when you are ready to set out to a new location.

Affordability

As mentioned before, moving costs can quickly escalate. Especially when partnering with movers, a single relocation can prove to be costly for the labor, supplies, and other aspects of a successful relocation. If you’ve gathered your boxes and packing materials and have an organizational system, renting your own truck can help you get from point A to point B efficiently.

Additionally, when you are traveling alone or need to transport a vehicle with your family, a hitch may help you condense your to-do list. In other cases, there are other options less risky to transport your car and not have to worry about its safety while in tow.

It helps to manage time

With a rental truck, you have the liberty to choose the time and location for pick up and drop off. Once you have a moving date, you can decide how long you’ll likely keep the moving truck. There’s no rush, as moving on your own can place the labor on yourself, friends, and family that can help. You’ll benefit from being able to manage your time and plan without worry.

Especially when traveling long distances, you’ll likely take rest breaks and stay overnight if you drive from state to state. In these cases, managing your own schedule and keeping your rental truck for as long as you need makes this solution advantageous when relocating.

The cons of renting a moving truck

While there are many Pros to renting a moving truck, some elements may cause this solution to be less beneficial. Some cons to renting a moving truck include a need for more availability, cost of fuel, and general liabilities of renting the vehicle.

Availability

When you reserve

a rental truck, you must request your reservation ahead of time. During peak moving seasons and busy times, rental trucks can be limited, especially for long-distance moving.

Limited availability can impact your plans, and if you're in a time crunch, you may end up spending more money to complete a relocation. Hiring movers and help can be necessary if you're short on time for a move. The availability and access you have to move supplies and labor in the industry can impact your timeline.

Fuel price

Another con associated with renting a moving truck is the fuel costs you can accumulate while driving. When you drop off your vehicle, it's essential to fill up the tank. This is a policy that many rental companies subscribe to, and you are required to sign an agreement. Depending on how far you are driving and trailing, fuel costs for a rental truck can accumulate to hundreds of dollars for a single relocation.

The average rental truck has a thirty to forty-gallon tank, depending on the size you select. At an average of four dollars per gallon, fueling the moving truck can cost up to two hundred dollars to fill up a tank. These costs can accumulate quickly, and you should consider this while planning a successful relocation. Every town and state can vary in pricing for fuel. If you're driving a fuel-powered moving rental truck to complete your move, the expenses can vary based on local costs and the truck's condition.

Unavoidable liabilities

When you rent any vehicle, there are liabilities associated with your agreement. There are different types of rentals and moving insurance. If you choose the private route to ensure your move, there are some benefits, but these costs can be astronomical. Many times, supplemental insurance is in addition to a damage waiver, personal accident and cargo protection, and auto tow protection.

There are unavoidable liabilities if you're an inexperienced truck driver or are moving long distances. Rental companies require proper insurance and liability for their renters. This liability can mean you are responsible for damages and costs in an emergency or accident. In any case, having the proper coverage and insurance options can help you avoid the costs when defaulting, but you must consider the costs of the policies.

What does It cost to ship a car across the country?

Moving can necessitate different services. A common necessity when moving from one home to another is transporting a vehicle to the new location. So, when you’re moving and have a car to take along with you, there are different options to do this.

For example, shipping your car across the country is a great solution. However, most companies charge for transporting vehicles by mileage. In a long-distance move, the mileage can accrue, and this method proves to be costly. On average, moving your car across the country can cost between $1,000 and $2,000. For shorter trips from one city to another, costs may average less than $600.

What is a car shipping company?

Car shipping companies offer essential solutions for moving vehicles from one location to another. In the moving industry, many people travel by plane or another method of transportation when moving from one state to another. People often arrange for a moving company to relocate their packages and belongings to their new homes.

Additionally, driving a vehicle can rack up mileage and cause other costs such as overnight hotel rooms, meals, and long driving days. An easy solution to transport a vehicle is to consult and plan with a car shipping company to save time and be more efficient during a move.

The simplified costs of shipping a car across the country

Whether cross-country or local, shipping a car comes with costs. On average, most companies charge a fixed rate per mile. On a long-distance trip, the costs may decrease after exceeding a specific mileage to help customers. However, enclosed carriers cost more than open carriers.

Factors considered when shipping a car across the country:

• Car size: Depending on the weight and size of your vehicle, shipping it across the country can vary in cost from one company to another. 

• Location of delivery: The distance your car travels and is shipped can influence the costs associated with the move because of fuel and labor costs. 

• Season: Supply and demand can spike moving, transportation, and fuel costs.  

• Time: Shipping a car across the country can take days or weeks. This can influence the time you have to move and plan a schedule that works for you. 

• Enclosed carriers: Offers more security and protection but cost more than an open carrier.

• Open carries: Costs less than an enclosed carrier but offers less security for your vehicle while traveling.  

Your car can travel with added protection in an enclosed carrier, depending on your choice. In other cases, such as with an open carrier, your vehicle is still secured to a trailer truck and transporting system for a lesser cost.

Other ways to transport your Car

While hiring an auto moving company is a popular option for many people, there are other ways to transport your car from one location to another. Factors that remain the same among all options are fuel, mileage, labor, and timing costs.

In addition to moving your vehicle by shipping, you can transport your car by:

• Hiring a moving company to transport

• Hitching your vehicle to your moving truck

• Hiring a professional driver

• Transporting your car by boat

• Transporting your car by train

It can be stressful and complex to plan how to transport your vehicle. Trusting a company or other person with your car can sometimes seem like a risk. Therefore, many people resort to a more affordable and realistic method by opting for hitching their car to their moving truck rental. This helps ensure your vehicle is in your hands and you have control over the time it takes to complete a relocation.

What does It cost to move a car across the country via hitch?

Hitching your car to your rental moving truck is an excellent soliton for many people. However, this service requires equipment, reservation, and considering costs. You'll need a tow dolly or car carrier to hitch your vehicle to your rental car. Some moving truck rental companies offer this service but are limited in availability.

The average cost for car trailers is between two hundred and five hundred dollars, depending on the time needed. A tow dolly, which only attaches to the front end of a car, is less costly than using a trailer. Average costs can range from one hundred to three hundred dollars, depending on the distance traveled.

The pros of renting a hitch to move your car

There are different pros to transporting your car on your own using a tow dolly or carrier. First off, towing your vehicle on your own is significantly less costly than professional shipping solutions. If a budget is your main concern, this is the best solution on the market for getting your car to your new home.

Convenience is another advantage to towing your vehicle because you set your driving schedule and reservation time. You have the option to schedule a hitch installation for your moving needs, and many moving companies typically offer the supplies and equipment, relieving you of having to hire multiple vendors.

The cons of renting a hitch to move your car

When it comes to moving, renting a hitch to move your car can have disadvantages. Safety is the largest con to consider because of the risk of transporting your own vehicle attached to a moving truck. Based on road conditions, maneuverability, and driver experience, driving a rental truck with a car in tow can be hazardous and risky. Professional drivers and companies are more experienced traveling long distances with heavy loads and cargo. They also provide some liability and insurance options with the costs of their service.

Another con may be the availability of equipment and costs associated with learning the process of hitching a vehicle. You'll likely need a professional to connect the equipment, and you'll plan for an installation session.

Depending on your moving needs, there are different options when transporting your vehicle from one state to another. Since traveling long distances can accumulate fuel costs and mileage and take time, hitching your car to a rental moving truck can help you save time and costs. However, driving a moving truck while hauling an attached vehicle can be tricky and risky without experience.

Additionally, moving across the country with a truck and car in tow has its challenges. Regardless of whether you are an experienced driver, considering the advantages of a professional moving team or car shipping company can be beneficial and help you move to remain stress-free. To start your rental reservation, (click here) to find the best rates in your area today.