Driving A Moving Truck? Follow These Tips From Our Denver Movers

As summertime heats up here in the Mile High City, more and more people are signing on the dotted line and receiving the keys to their new homes. Regardless of where you’re moving or what kind of property you’re moving into, it’s important to secure quality moving services to help your family relocate. Companies needing to upsize or relocate to a better spot can benefit from working with a local moving company as well. Abe Lincoln Movers is here to deliver personalized service to meet your goals and complete your move as efficiently as possible to get your life back on track without stress or uncertainty. Our professional movers can handle every stage of the process, assisting you with packing, and transporting your valuables in our fleet of maintained trucks. This last part may prove very attractive for homeowners dreading the drive in a rented moving truck.

We’re proud to be your trusted experts for residential moving across Denver and the Front Range, delivering peace of mind for clients with estates of all sizes. If you are planning on driving the truck yourself, it’s essential to drive safely. We’ll cover a few driving tips for using a moving truck for Colorado drivers. If you’re looking for professional movers to help every step of the way with quality services, be sure to call us for more info!

Start, Stop, and Turn with Caution

Before putting your moving truck into “drive”, be sure to catch up on the handling differences between this large box and your personal vehicle. One key difference that we’ll refer to throughout this blog post is weight, as your 26-foot vehicle likely weighs more than 12,500 pounds! Once loaded up, expect that number to climb quickly. Heavier vehicles take longer to stop, making it important to give other drivers enough spacing. A lot of drivers are instructed to give cars in traffic an additional second of spacing for every 10 feet of the length of their vehicle. Residential moving experts are well-versed in the risks associated with heavy vehicles, including delayed stopping times. If you’re in doubt, be sure to check with our truck rental company for help!

Larger, heavier loads make maneuvering through traffic a challenge as well. Most Coloradans know to allow plenty of space for braking, but some are not aware as to the demands when turning. Drivers that do not allow a wider berth for their longer vehicle may find themselves in a hazardous situation! Taking turns too fast can lead to a rollover, especially in combination with high winds. Not taking wide turns will also compromise the corner you are turning at, striking other vehicles, contacting poles or structures, and so on. You don’t want to be that guy stuck in the roundabout on Crossroads Boulevard with a wrecked vehicle!

Another tip that may prove helpful is to remember to accelerate smoothly at lights. Many drivers do not want to hold up traffic and will attempt to floor it to get moving. Unless perfectly secure, your property in the back of your truck will likely shift and settle if you take off too fast. This can result in damages to both your valuables and the rental truck. Motorists that skipped the insurance coverage may be unhappy after gassing it down Alameda!

Keep Height in Mind

Beyond the weight and length of your truck, the final dimension to keep track of is how tall your vehicle is. This element is one of the most common problems we see, and failing to account for your truck’s height can prove to be very dangerous and costly!

Our government sets the minimum overhead structure height to 14 feet of clearance for city areas and 16 feet for rural areas. Bridges and overpasses are prevalent all across Denver, with I-25, US 36, I-70, and I-76 creating a major hub for drivers from all over. If you have rented a truck for your move, the chances are high that your vehicle will be legal on main roadways across the country. Keep in mind, though, that fast food drive-throughs are a different story! Instead of risking damages during your lunch break, we recommend parking the vehicle out in the lot!

Familiarize Yourself with the Mirrors

One of the biggest reasons things homeowners stress about when driving a moving truck is the mirror situation. Like most utility vehicles, this truck will not have a rearview mirror to keep you in the know. It’s important to become comfortable with these mirrors to keep you and other commuters safe. Oftentimes, renters will make a lane change and not realize that their mirrors have blind spots. We recommend properly setting your mirrors before each trip. It is also helpful to avoid tight situations, as the large, bulky size of your truck will make the process of backing up, turning, and pulling out much more difficult. If you are not comfortable with driving in a confined space such as a parking lot, it can prove helpful to take the time to move slowly and check often to mark your progress.

Follow All Rules in Effect

One major challenge when trying to navigate in a large moving truck safely is the changing of regulations as you travel. Changing speed limits, weight restrictions, and other rules must be adhered to at all times. Regular drivers can rent these trucks, and they are expected to follow all laws of the road. Be sure to watch your speed and spacing. Red lights can also be a concern with heavier loads, making it important to be mindful when approaching intersections. Crosswalk signals are a good indicator of how roughly much time you have to make it.

Being mindful of the conditions on the road is just as important as our other tips. Colorado is famous for its crazy weather patterns, making it vital for you to keep informed while in your rented truck. Remember that larger vehicles need more time to stop and accelerate. A large majority of accidents on the road are preventable, and a lack of concentration can often be at least partly to blame. Keep focused when driving your rental truck. Texting, tweeting, messing with the radio, or even eating that burger you’ve been craving from Hopdoddy can all cause distractions and impair driver response time. We suggest saving any activities for after the drive!

Plan Ahead

Planning your route can result in a wide range of benefits. Recreational drivers may find themselves stuck on a narrow or dead-end drive! Our residential movers rely on precision in planning our routes, as doing so can keep your project protected from unexpected problems. Running out of gas on a long move, for example, can prove very inconvenient!

In a lot of cases, moving companies that offer truck rentals will provide a package deal that adheres to a certain mileage limit. Consumers can save big if they can stay within the threshold, as going over will likely result in serious upcharges. Be sure to map out your route online to account for the mileage, traffic, and any concerns such as road work. This small measure can save you big by the end of your move, so be sure to measure twice!

If you are thinking about renting a truck for your move, it’s important to plan ahead and drive safely for the best results. Residents who would rather focus on the 900 other details involved with this process can benefit from reaching out to our local movers for assistance. Abe Lincoln Movers is proud to be your trusted source for comprehensive residential moving across Denver and beyond. Contact us now to learn more!