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Do-It-Yourself Moving: What You Need To Know About Driving A Large Moving Truck

6 February 2015 by Brent Porter

Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to take a do-it-yourself approach to moving rather than paying professional movers to do the job for them. While many moving tasks, such as packing, will be incredibly straightforward, more complex tasks, such as operating a large moving truck, can be far more stressful. This is especially true for individuals who have never operated a large vehicle before. The good news is, with just a few safety precautions and a bit of common sense, it is possible for just about anyone to safely operate these truck rentals regardless of how far their move will take them.

A Safe Trip Starts Before Your Truck Is Loaded

People often overlook the impact that weight can have on their ability to successfully maneuver a large moving truck. However, the truth is, the weight distribution in this truck will have a huge impact on your ability to safely make turns and withstand high winds. Therefore, a successful moving experience will need to start before you ever drive your first mile.

When loading your moving truck, be sure to place your heaviest items towards the front of the truck. In a perfect world, about 3/4 of your overall cargo weight should be in the front half of the truck, while the other 1/4 is towards the rear. This will allow the truck to remain stable even when met with less than ideal weather conditions or when making a tight turn.

Know Your Route

Simple tasks, such as getting gas, can become far more difficult when you are driving a large truck. This is because not all gas stations or other retailers will be set up to accommodate a vehicle your size. Thankfully, there are retailers that are designed specifically to meet the needs of the largest vehicles on the road. These retailers will typically be found at truck stops along your route.

In order to ensure you are able to find fuel for both you and your truck along the way, be sure to map out your route long before embarking on your trip. Identify the location of each truck stop along the way and plan to stop at each of these locations. This will allow you to refuel your truck, pick up a bite to eat, and use the restrooms on a regular basis without worrying about where you will park your moving truck.

Accept That You Must Go Slow

Moving is not typically regarded as a fun experience. Consequently, it is quite easy to understand why so many individuals are in a rush to simply get it over with. However, this attitude can get you in big trouble when operating a large moving truck. This is because large vehicles do not offer the same maneuverability and stability as smaller cars. The only way to ensure your safety and the safety of the other drivers on the road is to take it slow.

Always position yourself in the lane furthest to your right and resolve yourself to going as slow as you need to in order to retain full control of the truck. While the drivers around you may seem frustrated by your slow speed, dealing with this frustration is much easier than dealing with a serious accident. Simply allow the faster drivers to pass you as you continue to slowly make your way to your final destination.

When you absolutely must switch lanes, remember that the larger your truck is, the more blind spots you will have. Take your time, check your mirrors multiple times, and signal well before you intend to actually move over. This will allow faster vehicles to get out of your way and ensure that there are no vehicles in your blind spot before you make your move.

For more information, contact Allard Rentals or a similar company.

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