Is driving the truck yourself actually right for you?
Not everyone should be the one behind the wheel, and there's no shame in that. Be honest with yourself about a few things: Have you driven anything bigger than a car or minivan before? Are you comfortable backing up without a rearview camera, in most trucks that size? Is your route mountainous, or does it involve big cities with tight turns and low bridges? Will you be driving many hours a day, possibly after a full day of loading? If several of these give you pause, that's useful information, not a failure. A You-Pack/We-Drive company or a full-service mover lets you skip the driving entirely — compare the actual quotes to see what that convenience costs for your move.
National truck rental companies include Budget, Penske, and U-Haul — listed
alphabetically as examples, not a ranking or recommendation. Compare current truck sizes, payload
limits, mileage and fuel terms, and return rules directly with each provider.
Check it yourself
Equipment limits and rules are set by each rental company. Rules, prices, and instructions change and differ by service, installation, and provider — open the sources below, confirm the current details for yourself, and get your move's specifics from your transportation office in writing.
If you do drive it, here's what nobody warns you about
- Never let anyone ride in the cargo box (people or pets), and don't carry fuel, propane, or other flammables in it. Check the truck's payload limit and the rental company's rules before you load — being under your military weight allowance doesn't make a truck legal or safe to drive.
- Know your exact height before you leave the lot. Low-bridge and parking-structure strikes are one of the most common first-timer disasters — the cab feels like a truck, but the box behind you is a foot or two taller than you think.
- Loaded trucks stop much slower than cars, and empty or half-loaded ones sway more than you'd expect, especially in wind or on downhill grades. Give yourself far more following distance than feels necessary.
- Do a slow lap of an empty parking lot before you're on the road, especially for backing up and wide right turns — the rear wheels track well inside the front ones.
Other PPM/DITY options:
Helpful Hints
- Look carefully at what you're getting for your money. Ask about mileage, age of the trucks, lighting in the trucks, etc.
- Don't forget to consider other options — you may find you can save money and have an easier move with a different choice.
- Ask others about their experiences with different companies before making your final decision.