If you find yourself needing to move your household and can't seem to find enough friends with trucks to help, you are going to have to rent a U-haul truck to get the job done. While this is not a difficult task as long as you have a valid driver's license and are old enough, there can be a number of little things that will end up costing you more money than you had anticipated. At a time when you may be short on cash because of the move and the expenses associated with it, you will want to be sure you don't overpay for the U-haul truck rental. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you call to arrange for the truck.

Date and Day of the Move

Since most people tend to move around the first of the month, many rental facilities will have a higher rate at that time. You may not be aware of this higher rate because it will be listed as the normal rate. However, if you can do the move midmonth, you may find that there are special deals on rentals. It may be you get unlimited mileage or perhaps they will not charge extra for using the dollies and blankets in the truck. In addition, you may be able to get two days for the price of one if you rent the truck on a Saturday and the facility is not open on Sundays. This will allow you to take your time and make a few trips if necessary.

Facility Location

If you are going to be paying for every mile the truck travels, be sure to go to a facility that is somewhere between the two properties. If you are moving out of town, find out if it would be better to leave the truck at a facility in the new town or to drive it back to the original location. There may be a large charge to drop it off at a different facility. Figure out how much it would cost in gas and mileage to take it back vs the extra fee for taking it to a local place.

While it is common for people to just get the paperwork and sign on the dotted line to rent a moving truck, it is important that you take the time to read the contract. Ask questions if there is anything you don't understand. You do not want to return the vehicle and end up with a large charge to your credit card you weren't expecting.

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