Many times before we’ve given you tips on DIY moving. It’s possible, it doesn’t have to be a mess and you can do it, provided you know what to do. And provided you don’t have to move a mansion by yourself.
Today we will talk about a rarely discussed subject – renting your own moving truck (or van, if you don’t really have that much to move). There are some challenges with such a thing and we will cover them.
But don’t forget – if you are looking for Chicago movers, we are always happy to help you. Just give us a call and get a free quote!
Tip #1: Plan Ahead!
Getting the vehicle is easy. Driving it may be a bit harder, but it’s doable, even if you don’t have experience. But there are things you need to plan! For example, it is best if you research which route is best for you to take with a truck.
Have you heard about the “never turn left” rule? You should never make a left turn on your way there, especially with a truck. It can not only slow you down, but you can actually get into an accident if you are not careful enough.
So planning a route and following it is great. A good tip is to design a route using a GPS app on your phone. Doing this will make it much easier for you to stick to it.
Also make sure you know the dimensions of your vehicle, so you don’t go under an overpass and get stuck. It can happen, so be careful!
Tip #2: Be Rested!
Driving a vehicle while you are sleepy is always bad, but this applies doubly so to trucks you don’t have experience with. So have a good night’s sleep, and always be alert and present while driving.
You have to be quick to react, because usually even a small moving truck is bigger than usual, and steering it is not as responsive or intuitive as with a lighter vehicle.
Tip #3: Keep Your Eyes On The Road!
At all times! Texting and driving is always abhorrent, but if you are prone to it in other circumstances, by all means, get the phone away from you. You can cause a lot of damage if you aren’t careful – not only to yourself, but to others as well.
Tip #4: Don’t Go At It Alone!
Driving the truck isn’t the hard part. Parking is. When you get to your new place you may have a hard time finding a way to park your moving truck so you can unload it safely. Having another person there with you is a godsend.
They can give you directions and tell you how close you are to other vehicles and so on, so you can easily park the truck and start unloading. So go find a road trip buddy!
Conclusion
DIY moves are perfectly doable, although you may be in for a headache if you aren’t prepared. And knowing your way around a moving truck is no exception. We know you can do it, but if you don’t want to risk it, you can always call H2H Movers to take care of your relocation for you!