The Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Moving Truck Rentals

Relocating is never an easy job so if you can streamline the process at any point, you should. Most people who are moving for the first time are unsure of what type of moving truck or even what size moving van they need. The moment that you need to move tends to be the moment that you realize that you need a rental box truck to get your things to your new home. For most people, when they have a need, they just go out and buy whatever it is they are missing. When it comes to relocating, getting a cheap moving truck rental is not as simple.

When you need something on a short-term basis, like a moving van or a rental box truck, running out to buy one is not an option. Thankfully, the modern era has ushered in new ways to get things done without creating a huge dent in your wallet. Well, not exactly new, but rather an old solution adapted for widespread use. Peer-to-peer moving van rentals make relocating simple, easy, and affordable. You can check out available options online (here) and click through to secure your reservation.

The benefits of P2P moving truck rental

In this modern age, we have every source available at our fingertips. Not only can you search for a cheap U-Haul alternative online, but you can also browse available deals all from the comfort of your own home. P2P rentals, especially moving trucks and cargo van rentals are a great way to benefit the environment while also helping you save money on your move.

Peer-to-peer moving truck rentals ensure that you can get from point a, to point b, whenever you need it. Short-term rentals are beneficial for those people who have moving trucks for rent and can provide a resource while earning money. Those who only need a short-term rental can save time and money.

Those offering P2P cargo van and moving truck rentals also get to make a few bucks on vehicles that would otherwise waste away in their garage. With the economy in tatters, this is basically a win-win scenario for both the renter and the moving truck rental owner. You may be wondering why peer-to-peer moving van rentals may be better than renting from a commercial outlet, and we are here to give you the inside scoop.

What are P2P moving truck rentals?

The premise of peer-to-peer moving box rentals is pretty simple and not much different than renting from a conglomerate. A person or company has a single fleet of trucks, cargo vans, or moving trailers. These units may be underutilized or not used at all, which means they are gathering dust instead of being put to use. The cost of a truck, van, or even a trailer brand new is generally thousands of dollars which are not feasible for most people who only need the vehicle for a few days at the most.

With a peer-to-peer moving truck rental arrangement, a person who needs the vehicle for a short period will rent it from a person who has an underutilized vehicle. For the vehicle owner, this is a great side hustle that will earn them extra income on a box truck or moving van they already own. For the renter, they will be able to get the vehicle they need to move without having to fork over a fortune.

Under the peer-to-peer moving van and box truck rental model, there is no middle man which reduces the cost of renting. That means no dealerships, rental shops, or even platform fees are needed which helps both the renter and rentee to come out ahead. Think of it along the lines of Airbnb. The peer-to-peer moving truck rental marketplace connects people looking for trucks with those who have trucks for rent, all over the country.

Peer-to-Peer moving truck rentals increasing in popularity

As the pandemic worked its way through the world, more people than ever turned to ways to make money on the side. At the same time, an equal number of people have looked for innovative ways to save money. When it comes to moving, most people are always on the lookout for great ways to save. With P2P rental options for box trucks, cargo vans, and moving truck rentals, saving money has become even easier.

Some vehicle owners put their trucks up for rent when they plan to be out of town, or simply when they know their own usage will be facing a slump. One of the most popular sites for P2P moving truck rentals in the US and abroad is Turo. These options have allowed truck owners to manage the expense of ownership while also giving those who need to move a break on their relocation costs.

How do P2P moving truck rentals work?

The service is quite simple, people who have trucks but don’t need them all of the time can list them as available for rent. Those looking for short or long-term moving truck rentals can select from available vehicles within their area. While you can save a lot of money on moving costs, the drawback is that it is only suitable for local rentals. Unlike chain locations, users will need to return their moving truck rental back to their rental source as opposed to another location in a countrywide chain.

The lack of long-distance rental truck options has not hindered the growth of the P2P rental market, however. GM, Turo, and Getaround are just a few of the bigger names found in the truck-sharing space. P2P truck rentals are also a cheaper alternative to U-Haul and other commercial moving truck rental chains. In most cases, there is a platform where truck owners will list their rentals, and renters will use that platform to connect. The vehicle owner will give the platform a certain percentage of the rental price and pocket the rest.

With gas prices on the rise, moving truck owners are finding creative ways to break even with their underutilized fleet. Turo along has more than 10k trucks listed for rent on their P2P site, with the average rate for rental coming out to $75 a day. For renters, paying $75 a day for a local move is much cheaper than paying $125 per day or more from a chain location.

What are the main advantages of P2P moving truck and cargo van rentals?

The peer-to-peer model is by no means new, in fact, plenty of people have been renting out unused equipment for generations. When commercial chains like U-Haul, Enterprise, and Budget hit the market, P2P took a backseat. As these companies rose in popularity, so did their rates. With the dips in the economy and people looking for new ways to save, the P2P market saw its second wind. For truck owners, supplemental profits from rentals can help pay for the cost of vehicle upkeep.

For those who need short-term access to vehicles for the purpose of relocation or other work, P2P box truck rentals are a cheaper option. Pricing is generally more flexible and lower than chain dealerships. This presents a win-win scenario where the vehicle owner makes a profit while the truck renter nets generous savings.

Top reasons to consider moving truck rentals via P2P exchanges

  • Easy rentals – when renting a cargo van or moving truck through a P2P rental service, you have easy access to the vehicle you need. You can use our tool (here) to check out rates directly from your phone or laptop. You can see what prices are available in the market before deciding where to confirm your rental. Instead of searching on each site individually, you can simply click through and finalize your reservation.

  • Massive savings- we have mentioned a few times now just how important saving money is when relocating. P2P moving van rentals are a great way to save money on the short-term use of a rental box truck or rental cargo van. Instead of putting down an arm and a leg on mileage and daily rental feels, P2P rentals for moving trucks are often on a single daily rate basis.

  • Less waste – even if your move will take several days, renting an idle truck is more affordable and will generate less waste. You will spend less money on rental fees and also cut down on the number of trips you have to make when you are not pressed for time. Pair a P2P moving truck rental with reusable moving packaging and you will come out ahead every time.

  • Dual benefit – when renting through a commercial outfit, the main goal of the company is to turn a profit. While those moving are benefited from the rental, the relationship is not really mutually beneficial. With P2P moving truck rentals, those looking to relocate get to do so without breaking the bank, and vehicle owners get to increase the value of their property since it is actually getting used.

What are the concerns with moving truck rentals?

There are a lot of good things we have to say about peer-to-peer (P2P) box truck and cargo van rentals, but there are always downsides. While you can save money, it is important to keep the negatives in mind. With P2P moving van rentals, you have to have a certain level of trust in the person you are renting from. Unlike chain fleets, they are personal vehicle owners that offer less protection than their commercial counterparts. You also need to think about who will cover damages in the event of an accident. Are you going to be liable or is the vehicle owner liable?

When renting out or renting a vehicle for commercial purposes, a separate commercial insurance policy will be needed. With larger commercial chains, they are able to insure their entire fleet and charge individuals for coverage during their rental period. This is not typically an option when renting a single box truck or cargo van from a P2P vehicle owner. There may also be other hidden costs and liabilities to consider when renting from a P2P network. While this may seem like a reason not to use the service, there are more positive experiences than negative ones.

P2P box truck rentals versus commercial moving van rentals

So you have your new home or office all picked out and have finally signed the lease. The next step is planning your move and a part of that is securing a way to get your stuff from point a to point b. Most people will either hire a professional moving company or move. If you are among those who like to handle things on your own, then a moving truck rental will be at the top of your list. There are a couple of options out there when it comes to renting a box truck for a relocation project.

You can pack up your space on your own and then hire someone to move everything, or you can rent a truck. When you hire someone to handle the moving, you have to make sure everything is ready to go according to schedule, which is never easy. However, renting a truck gives you more time to pack and plan your move more effectively. Once you decide to rent a box truck for moving, then you need to decide if you want to rent from a commercial chain or through a P2P rental service. There are advantages and drawbacks to both options.

With commercial moving truck rental chains, you have the option of dropping off your rental in several locations. The drawback is that you will often pay a higher rate for using their services in addition to paying through the nose for extra fees. With P2P moving truck rentals you will have to return your truck to the same pickup location, but the advantage is that you will save on mileage, gas, and insurance costs when compared to commercial rentals.