Driving Tips for Rental Trucks
Updated January 1, 1 . AmFam Team
If you’ve chosen to save a little money and move yourself across the city or across the nation, odds are you’ll be using a rental truck to get the job done. And if you’re new to driving a big truck, there’s a lot to learn before you get behind the wheel. Take a look at these important tips and you’ll be driving like the long-distance moving pros in no time!
Understand Your Rental Agreement
Long before you hit the road, review the rental agreement you’ll be signing. If possible, ask for a copy at the rental group’s office to bring home. Once you understand the basics, you can build a customized insurance plan that covers you best, so be sure to contact your agent (Opens in a new tab) to discuss how to carefully insure yourself for the trip.
Know what’s covered and what’s not. Don’t count on your current auto insurance policy to cover your truck rental since there are likely exclusions that rule out certain rental vehicles. It’s important to be aware that using your credit card will probably not cover you for rental trucks, even if it does provide some coverage for rental cars. You’ll need to get separate insurance for your rental truck.
The Basics of Driving a Moving Truck
Here’s a quick beginner’s guide to driving a moving truck safely. Before heading out on the road, take some time in an empty parking lot and get a feel for how the truck moves.
Know your height. One of the biggest mistakes drivers who are new to rental trucks make is that they forget that the truck extends higher than an average car. Often, the height of the roof is posted in clear view, either through a rear-view mirror or in the cab. Be on the look-out for low-clearance warning signs while driving, and approach gas stations, drive-through overhangs and bridges with caution.
Secure your load. Don’t assume that twine or thin cord will be enough to tie down your items in the truck — use ratchet straps for a more secure hold and moving blankets to cover furniture or belongings you want to keep from getting scratched during transit. Remember, just because you've got your belongings in a box doesn't mean they won't be damaged. Take a look at our smart packing tips to be sure you’re getting the job done correctly.
Start by loading the heavy and large furniture into the truck first, placing it towards the back. This will spread the weight more evenly across both axles. If you’re unsure about your ability to safely secure your load, hire a local moving company to load your truck for you. More details on selecting movers and planning for your move can be found in our section on stress-free moving tips.
Driving Your Rental Truck
In addition to always wearing a seat belt and paying close attention to road signs, there are a lot of other important things to keep in mind when you’re driving your rental truck.
Approach intersections carefully. Because you’re going to need more time and room to stop, use caution when you’re moving through intersections.
Practice the five-second rule. Driving is very different in a fully loaded moving truck than it is in your car. Keep a wide distance — five seconds worth — between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. Pick a spot on the road as the car ahead passes it, and your truck should pass that spot five seconds later. This rule helps because you’re going to need time and distance to break if traffic suddenly comes to a halt.
Make frequent stops. Take advantage of rest stops to get out and stretch. Go for a quick walk every three or four hours and be sure to change drivers regularly. Pay attention to signs of fatigue when you’re driving too. Make the safe choice for you and other drivers and stop when you first start to feel tired.
Gas up at a quarter-tank. One great way to be sure you’ve got enough fuel is to stop for gas when your tank’s at one-quarter full. This is really important on more remote stretches of highway.
Pass vehicles carefully. Check your mirrors often when passing and be sure to use your turn signal. Don’t pass when approaching a curve or while going uphill.
Travel in Your Rental Truck Strategically
Before you hit the road with your truck take some time and be sure you know where you’re going. And definitely have a plan for moving safely in to and out of parking spaces.
Map out your trip. Instead of just relying on your phone to guide you on your trip, take a look at your route on an online map so you’re aware of road conditions, construction delays and other issues. Think about where you’re going to stop for the night along the way.
Park like a pro. Consider how you’re going to get out of a parking spot before you get into it. Taking a little time before you park can save you a lot of trouble when it comes time to exit. Will you be comfortable backing up? Is another spot available that allows you to just pull forward and get back into traffic easily? Be sure to have answers to these questions before you dedicate yourself to a parking spot. If you’re going to be towing a car or trailer behind the truck, take a look at our segment on how to back up a trailer for some great pro tips.
Congratulations! You’re well on your way to mastering the fine art of driving a moving truck. Best of all, you made informed, up-front decisions about your coverage that protected your investments along the way. And once you’ve decided to move to a new location, remember to inform your American Family Insurance agent (Opens in a new tab) to update your coverage and contact information. You’ll be glad you did with every mile you drive.
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Sending a text, eating your burrito, applying makeup — what do all of these tasks have in common?
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As a driver, it’s your responsibility to focus on the road to keep you, your passengers, and other people on the road safe from accidents. We’ve put a spotlight on some risky driving behaviors that we hope can help influence you to keep your focus on the road.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is when the driver is doing something that takes their attention away from the task of driving. Any time your eyes and/or mind are taken away from the road, you’re technically distracted, which means an increase in the risk of an accident.
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The Deadliest Driving Distraction: Texting and Driving
It should come as no surprise to you that texting is the most common distraction while driving as well as the most dangerous. It’s so deadly in fact, that it gets its very own section.
It’s easy for us all to see the dangers of texting while driving, but even with that knowledge, so many of us fall into the temptation of sending off a fast text message while behind the wheel. But even a quick text can have horrible consequences.
Just think, when you look at your phone, your focus is on the screen, not the road; one hand is off the wheel to hold your device, and your mind drifts to the message instead of the task at hand: driving safely.
Why texting is distracting
To put it into perspective, if you’re traveling at 55 MPH and you take your eyes off the road and onto your phone, you’ve traveled about 100 yards – the length of a football field! That’s quite a distance to cover driving “blind.”
The National Safety Council reports that one out of every four car accidents in the United States is caused by a distracted driver who was texting. They also reported that texting and driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated.
Let these driving facts be a wake-up call to the extreme dangers of texting while driving.
Is it Illegal to Use Your Phone While Driving?
The truth is that it depends on which state you live in. As of 2020, the Governors Highway Safety Association reports that there is a hand-held cell phone use ban in 22 states, with 48 states banning text messaging for all drivers. Find out the distracted driving laws for your state to ensure you’re following the rules of the road in your state.
It’s always important to know our state laws, and in your state there may very well be no law preventing you from texting while driving. However, for your safety as well as those in your car, and for anyone else sharing the roads with you, it’s best to stick with a firm “no phone use while driving” mentality.
Types of Distracted Driving
The first step to preventing distracted driving is understanding what it is. In a nutshell, anything that occupies your attention while driving is a distraction. Here are a few notable distractors that should be eliminated while behind the wheel.
Checking your GPS
When it comes to directions, we’ve come a long way from the world of fold-up maps. Today, everyone has a built-in navigation system in the palm of their hands: the smartphone. The only problem is that just one quick glance at your phone’s screen is all it takes for a costly mistake behind the wheel.
Your best bet is to leave your phone in your pocket or purse when driving. But if you must use your phone for directions, enable the voice feature so that you don’t have to look at the screen for every turn.
Sifting through your music device
Trying to find the right song for your road trip is just as dangerous as texting and driving. Your best bet is to pick a playlist prior to getting into your vehicle. Or listen to the radio. The key here is to keep your eyes on the road and not on your music device.
Checking social media
Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, you name it – all of them bide for our constant attention. Don’t fall prey to this when you’re driving. That post, tweet, or message can wait. Avoid checking social media when behind the wheel.
Eating behind the wheel
You may be a pro at eating your burrito on the go, but ingesting your lunch while driving is a big no-no. All it takes is one wayward waffle fry to take your attention from the road to your lap. And it’s not just the mess that distracts; it’s the smell, taste, you name it – that makes eating one of the most distracting things you can do while driving.
Other types of distracted driving
There are a few more forms of distracted driving that could cause an accident. If you’re in the driver’s seat, try to avoid these altogether:
- Taking selfies
- Talking on the phone
- Drinking coffee or another beverage
- Putting on makeup
- Using an app
- Loud music
Top 5 Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving
There are easy ways to prevent distracted driving. Try using making these five simple changes distracted driving safety tips to have a safer driving experience.
Use a text-blocking app
There are many apps available that block texts while driving. Several apps exist with different features, ranging from ones that completely block any incoming or outgoing texts while going a certain speed, to apps that will send a message saying you’re unavailable to respond to an incoming text. Here’s a list from DMV.org with great suggestions for apps to fight distracted driving.
Have a passenger navigate for you
If you’re driving with a passenger (of an appropriate age), hand the directions to them. Even a not-so-great navigator in the passenger seat is better than the person behind the wheel being responsible for both driving and navigating. If you’re driving by yourself, take the time to look at the directions before you set off. Then turn the volume up and let the AI lead the way.
Make music selection easy
Make multiple playlists that you can choose from before starting the car. If you really need to change it up, either pull over or wait for a red light. Set your presets to stations you already know you like. Hitting one button is better than cranking the dial until you find music you like.
Don’t text while driving
If you’re behind the wheel, just put the phone away. Social media can wait. It’s not going anywhere — that we can promise. Are the notifications too tempting? Turn them off! No comment or new tweet is worth the risk.
Eat at home or while stopped
If you’re in a rush and want to keep things moving, consider the hazards of driving while eating behind the wheel. Hopefully you can recognize that the risks outweigh the temptation, and you can wait until you get to your destination to eat.
How Does Distracted Driving Affect Insurance?
For starters, getting into an at-fault accident will almost always make your insurance premium go up, simply because your insurance company now deems you a higher-risk driver. Distracted driving is no exception. Even if you avoid an accident but you get a ticket for distracted driving, you’re susceptible to those increases in insurance.
Why does distracted driving increase insurance? For starters, you may be getting a discount for having a clean driving record. But if you get a ticket, such as for texting while driving, you may no longer be eligible for that discount, and you’ll notice an increase in your premium. Another reason your insurance might go up goes back to being a higher risk. If you’re guilty of distracted driving, an insurance company will consider you a high-risk driver (meaning you’re more likely to file a claim due to an accident) and they’ll set your premiums higher.
Many of the discounts that insurance companies give out revolve around rewarding drivers for having no claims and a good driving record in general. Don’t let distracted driving take away those perks!
Protect Yourself From Distracted Drivers on the Road
Avoiding distracting driving behaviors is a great way to be safe on the road, and car insurance is a great way to stay protected from the unexpected. With American Family you can customize your car coverage to meet your unique needs. Talk to your agent today to find the right coverage for you.
The Insurance Information Institute claims driving while interacting with a mobile device can increase the odds of a crash by as much as 3.5 times, compared to the risks that a sober, alert and attentive driver faces. Teens are more susceptible to collisions, even when speaking hands-free on a mobile phone. Let’s explore the many ways you can help prevent distracted driving accidents.
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