Is Renting a Moving Truck Worth It?
Rental trucks for moving might seem like a great way to save a quick buck. After all, moving is expensive all around, so finding places to keep is only natural. Unfortunately, you will learn why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it. It seems like packing, loading, driving, and unloading your items on your own would be cheaper, but in reality, rental trucks can be more of a hassle than they are worth in combination with the fact that they will not save you as much money as you would expect. In this article, you will learn why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it and hiring professionals is worth it.
Rental Trucks For Moving
Rental trucks for moving can be rented from several different companies with several different prices. They all have one thing in common; it makes moving more inconvenient if you are not an experienced truck driver. Here are some reasons why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it.
Difficult to Drive
Rental trucks for moving are trucks big enough to fit all of your belongings. They can range anywhere from 10 feet to 26 feet, much larger than your average car. Their size is necessary, but with that size comes the first hassle. Large trucks are hard to drive if you lack prior experience. Rental trucks for moving are no different. If you do not have prior experience driving large vehicles, you will struggle to drive your rental truck. This especially becomes an issue when completing a long-distance move, through unfamiliar areas. The learning curve you’ll have to go through is why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it.
Good Condition Is not Guaranteed
There is no guarantee that the rental vehicle will be in great condition. These trucks are driven all over the country by many different people. While the company will likely try to maintain their rental trucks for moving they will also try to get their money’s worth out of the trucks. This means that they will pay as little as they can get away with on maintenance and keep the truck in commission as long as they possibly can to improve their bottom line. It should also be noted that even a perfectly maintained truck can experience issues. You need to deal with the flat tire that sets moving plans back. Professional moving companies have the expertise to handle issues as they come so you don’t have to.
Injury Risk
Not only is a DIY move a hassle, but it puts you at risk for injury. The most common injury is a back injury. The constant bending over and heavy lifting cause strain to your back if you don’t lift every box with perfect form. Some boxes take more than one person. If you don’t have an extra person who is strong enough to help you, you risk hurting yourself.
Other common moving injuries include broken fingers and toes. Many heavy objects are being lifted and moved. If you don’t have a good grip or enough strength you are bound to eventually drop something. If it lands on your foot, you risk breaking a toe. At the very least it will hurt and leave a bruise.
Fall injuries are another risk you face if you choose to rent a moving truck instead of hiring a professional moving company. With all your belonging packed in boxes on the floor and a large box in your hands impeding your view of the floor, tripping over a box is likely.
Renting a moving truck causes unneeded strain during an already stressful time. That is why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it.
How Much Is a Moving Truck?
The biggest reason people choose rental trucks for moving is the price tag. It is true, that renting a moving truck instead of a professional moving company is less expensive. The only issue is that the hassle of loading, driving, and unloading the truck is why renting a moving truck isn’t worth it. So how much is a moving truck?
U-haul is one of the most popular rental trucks for moving companies. The price of a moving truck will vary depending on the size and how far you are traveling.
- The base rate for an 8-foot pickup truck and 9-inch cargo van is $19.95 plus $0.69 per mile.
- The base rate for a 10-foot truck is also $19.95 plus $0.79 per mile.
- The base rate for a 15-foot truck is $29.95 plus $0.79 per mile.
- The base rate for a 17-foot, 20-foot, and 26-foot truck is $39.95 plus $0.79 per mile.
Although the base rate may seem cheap, if you have a long-distance move, the per-mile cost will add up. There are also other fees you need to account for. For one, you will need to pay for gas. Big, heavy trucks are not known for their fuel efficiency, so that cost will also add up. The bigger the truck the fewer miles per gallon. You will also need to purchase insurance for the rental truck for moving. Your regular car insurance is not likely to cover rental trucks for moving. With all of these costs, you’ll go from spending $30 for a rental truck to spending a few hundred for a short move to a couple thousand for long moves.
So, how much is a moving truck? Probably more than you expected and more than advertised. On the other hand, moving companies will make the price tag worth the service. In addition to driving the truck, most moving companies will load and unload the truck for you. They do the heavy lifting, so you can sit back and relax. Moving is stressful enough without the added stress of loading your boxes like a puzzle as you try to get all your belongings to fit.
Rent Trucks For Moving
It is perfectly reasonable to rent trucks for moving if you are an experienced truck driver, enjoy puzzles, and don’t mind paying for gas and scrutinizing contracts looking for hidden fees. If you don’t like these things, then forego the stress of moving and hire a professional moving company like Pack-Men.
Pack-Men is a full-service moving company for both individuals and businesses. We can pack, load, and deliver your belongings safely from your old home to your new one for a reasonable price. Renting a moving truck isn’t worth it, but hiring Pack-Men is.