Tips on Renting a Moving Van

The first issue you need to address before renting a moving van is whatever vehicle you rent will fit under whatever railroad bridge is on your route. No, I did not get stuck, but it meant using up miles and gas that I could not afford. In moving, it is the little issues that will give you the greatest angst.

Number one: pack a small box into which you have put toilet paper, coffee mugs, paper cups, a paring knife, can opener, and a small towel. Label this box with large red letters: ESSENTIALS and keep it with you. This will be the first box that goes into the new dwelling.

Number two: be certain to shop around for the best price, especially if you are traveling interstate. You can pick-up-and-drop-off perhaps for a better price than picking up and returning. Besides, you save the hassle of driving back and forth. Try to avoid renting on a holiday weekend (which is usually the only time for some working families); mid-week is best for availability even if you have to take off from work.

Number three: choose the right size. Do not pay too much for excess room. If you are moving across town and can do so, choose a smaller vehicle and make two trips with a lunch break in-between. It may be easier physically to handle a smaller vehicle, but sometimes the larger size is the same price. Investigate. You are not paying for mileage (or you can calculate what you have to use to your advantage), so utilize the vehicle for the hours paid.

Number three: organize. That is a whole statement within itself. This means you have sorted, given away, donated, and/or discarded, PRIOR to moving day. When you move, take only what you will use. This will save dollars and your back.

Number four: place boxes at the back of the truck, then on the sides, heaviest on the bottom for stability, with larger items in the middle, sliding smaller boxes underneath to fill in gaps. Flat items i.e. mattress and box spring, table top, etc. can be stabilized by boxes on either side. Place the most awkward items at the back of the truck to be removed first. On moving day, energy is depleted as the hours pass. By afternoon, you will be tired of lifting, walking, bending, rushing, any or all of those. Do yourself a favor by placing the large pieces i.e. dressers, a couch, chairs that must be lifted by two, at the back to be removed first.

Number five: do not pack blankets or quilts. Do not pay to rent them from the moving and/or rental company. Use your own; that is why they have coin laundries. Place them over and around your furniture. Upon arrival, use them as temporary chairs; then wash them. Depending on your physical abilities, you may want to rent a dolly for boxes. At the end of the day, it is convenient to be able to pile a bunch on and wheel them into the house. Dollies sometimes work for larger items, but two people are still involved and dollies do not have the flexibility of hands.

Number Six: do use dresser drawers as packing boxes. Prior to lifting the dresser, remove the packed drawers and take them out to the truck; then move the dresser, replacing the drawers. Reverse the process when arriving at your destination. Your stuff is already in the room where it belongs, and you do not have boxes to break down.

That's all, except that this was not so much about renting the van as the whole day of moving. Oh, one more thing notice where the pizza place is in relation to your new home. You'll want to order for dinner. All I can add, assuming your move is a positive event for all involved, is . . . good luck.

Learn more about this author, Barbara M Traynor.
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