Rental Truck Driving Tips
Driving a loaded rental truck is much different than a regular car. Here are some tips to keep in mind while driving the loaded truck.- Drive slower than normal because a loaded truck can not handle and take the turns as well as a regular car you are used to driving.
- Break and decelerate sooner. Leave more space between the vehicle ahead of you. The extra weight of a truck along with all your stuff loaded will cause the truck to take a little longer to come to a complete stop.
- Allow more room for turning. A truck is wider than a normal vehicle so it needs more room on turns.
- Be aware of your truck’s height. Some trucks are higher than others so you might need a different route and avoid low overhangs.
- People don’t like driving behind trucks. Everyone hates driving behind a truck because they cannot travel at the same speed as other cars, so anticipate drivers passing and cutting you off to avoid any potential accidents.
- Rest on long distance drives. If you feel fatigue, make sure you rest so your alertness will not cause any accidents.
- Inspect the truck during stops. Anytime you make a stop with the truck and get out, make sure you walk around and check tires, cargo door and lights.
- Backup carefully. Backing up in a truck is a lot different than your normal car. Your view is reduced and may require someone to assist in directing you with hand signals.
Need help finding a rental truck?
There are several popular companies such as U-Haul and Penske that tend to give consumers cheap truck rental rates.