Whether you're moving to a new house or you need to, you've probably bought some large equipment that you don't have the space to accommodate in your vehicle. If so, haul truck rentals are the perfect solution for your needs. While versatile and easy to drive, there are certain safety precautions you should keep in mind when operating one of these trucks. Here are some of them.
Know Your Comfort Level
You should have a general idea what size truck you'd be most comfortable with before you rent a truck. If you know that you're not comfortable renting a very large truck, then don't. The rental center will likely have several smaller trucks for you to choose from, and while you may have to make more trips, any minor inconvenience is well worth your comfort and safety.
Get Familiar
Before you head off the rental lot, sit in the truck for a few moments to get familiar with the vehicle. A haul truck will likely have a configuration that is entirely different from the panel in your car. For example, the wiper lever might be on the left side, while it's on the left in your vehicle. In case of rain, you don't want to be unable to find the lever. As always, ask a staff person at the center any questions you have.
Leave Extra Space
When it comes to braking, one of the most important things for you to remember is that the weight of a vehicle helps decide how fast it can stop. The heavier a car, the longer it will take to come to a complete stop safely. Make sure you are leaving extra space between the truck and any vehicle you're following behind so that you leave yourself plenty of room to stop.
Load Carefully
Be mindful of how you load items onto the truck. You want to pack the heaviest items into the truck first, so that the bulk of the weight is centered near the middle of the vehicle. When you put the largest items in last, you can make the rear of the vehicle too heavy, which could result in difficulties with handling the truck and could affect your stopping power.
Your safety is the most important thing. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to ask the rental provider about them. As industry experts, the service provider can help you find a truck you're comfortable with and ensure you understand all the features of the vehicle.
