Moving truck rental... other moving tips?

[REDVAN]

Hey all,

Moving next month. Need to rent a truck, have the current place cleaned, etc.

Any tips? Where did you rent a truck from if you need it? Heard horror stories about U-haul so what is a better alternative? Not that we have a lot of stuff, so basically the next biggest thing from a panel van will do the trick, you know the small box trucks.

Who did you use for cleaning, if you used someone? Specifically, I'm looking at carpet steaming/cleaning because the rest of the cleaning I can do myself.

Or general moving tips... since when I moved in, I slowly moved here from my parents (moved in with the gf, so this is basically my first move).

Thanks for the help!

[fredr123]

Consider buying your own steam cleaner at some point. We bought ours after the latest move but it has since become invaluable after we added kids and a dog to the mix. Previous to that, we just rented the standard unit from Safeway.

[burn_this_city]

Use a company to do the move out steam clean. Most landlords dont accept a receipt from Safeway for a steam cleaner. I've used Uhaul a couple times with fairly decent success.

[REDVAN]

My buddy moved in the fall with uHaul and it was fine... I'm just sketched out.

What about car rental companies, would they have crazy prices?

[4X4]

I wouldn't drive a Uhaul through Rogers Pass, but I wouldn't worry about driving one in the city. They're not that bad.

[Temporary_User]

If you're just moving within the city, U-hall would be acceptable. Budget is another company that comes to mind.
The main thing with moving is to truly have everything packed and ready, the worst is showing up to a buddy's place ready to move and having to throw a bunch of small things in boxes because he thought it would be easy enough to move without doing so, or quick enough to do it that day.
You throw a couple beers at me and I can haul boxes, couches etc. to/from the apartment/truck all day long and quick, it's all about rhythm and moral. Having to stop to pack, move something around or anything else really slows the process down and reminds me that I'm doing Shtty work and thus reminds me to take a break.

Originally Posted by fredr123

Consider buying your own steam cleaner at some point. We bought ours after the latest move but it has since become invaluable after we added kids and a dog to the mix. Previous to that, we just rented the standard unit from Safeway.

Bah! Why buy your own when your friends already own the stuff.
Now that I know you have one, I'll have to re-add your contact info into my phone. I don't think I actually ever had it
F you know my floors are completely stained from spilled liquor drinks.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I wouldn't drive a Uhaul through Rogers Pass, but I wouldn't worry about driving one in the city. They're not that bad.

My nightmare experiences with U-haul have more to do with them not having the vehicle I reserved there on moving day. They must over book; or not factor in any margin for error (maintenance, previous renter being late, etc.)

In their fine print, they also reserve the right to define what a day is. When you pick up the truck, they will tell you if the "day" is 4 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours.

I usually use Ace truck rentals, but they don't like renting to individuals. We just call from work, put it under the company name and use my own visa card.

[Northendzone]

Persoanl;ly, I'd recommend hiring movers to do the job - at the end of the day I don't think it equates to much more money than renting a truck and buying pizza and other assorted vittles.......

i'd also add that buying a steam cleaner may seem like a good idea, i refuse to beleive that a two or three hundred dollar unit would do as good of a job as reneting a unit from home depot or safeway - but i could be wrong.

[yads]

Originally Posted by ken0042

My nightmare experiences with U-haul have more to do with them not having the vehicle I reserved there on moving day. They must over book; or not factor in any margin for error (maintenance, previous renter being late, etc.)

In their fine print, they also reserve the right to define what a day is. When you pick up the truck, they will tell you if the "day" is 4 hours, 8 hours, or 24 hours.

I usually use Ace truck rentals, but they don't like renting to individuals. We just call from work, put it under the company name and use my own visa card.

Yep this is exactly what happened to me. Made the reservation, even asked the guy if it was good to go. Reservation was for 9:00 am. They call me at 5:00 pm the day before and tell me they can give me the truck at 3:00 pm. Had to use another company. Am very weary about using them again.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i'd also add that buying a steam cleaner may seem like a good idea, i refuse to beleive that a two or three hundred dollar unit would do as good of a job as reneting a unit from home depot or safeway - but i could be wrong.

Doing a large job would probably be a bit tedious with the unit we bought since it doesn't have a large capacity. It's been awesome, however, for doing one room at a time or if the kids spill something.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i'd also add that buying a steam cleaner may seem like a good idea, i refuse to beleive that a two or three hundred dollar unit would do as good of a job as reneting a unit from home depot or safeway - but i could be wrong.

The rental units that get abused just because they're rentals and poorly maintained, because they're coming from a grocery store? We bought a Bissell from Costco for about $250 and it did a way better job than the 2 times I rented from safeway.

[CGYTransplant]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i'd also add that buying a steam cleaner may seem like a good idea, i refuse to beleive that a two or three hundred dollar unit would do as good of a job as reneting a unit from home depot or safeway - but i could be wrong.

How much do you think Home Depot or Safeway paid for their units?

I have it on good authority that, unless you use a service that comes with the big truck and hoses and stuff to clean your carpet, the units from Home Depot/Safeway are just as effective as the Hoover or Bissell units you can buy from London Drugs.

And, yes, UHaul overbooks their rentals. The times we've moved with a UHauls truck, we have been there 15 minutes before the store opened, to have the best chance of getting a truck. We have never actually gotten the size of truck we've reserved, though, and I would NEVER drive a UHaul on Deerfoot, let alone out of the city.

And, make sure that everything is packed, and in boxes, before your buddies show up to help you move. Everything goes a lot faster if you can just start loading boxes. I also try to label the boxes with the room they belong in, so that as you're unloading boxes, they don't just end up getting dumped in your living room.

[Traditional_Ale]

^ When I moved from Marda Loop to Kingsland I lived on the third floor of three with only stairs to move all the stuff down. Another couple was moving the same day so we shared the van. I moved every last box down those stairs by myself, non-stop, for about three hours. What a work out!

Aparently when everyone was on their way over and were dreading the stairs, so when it was all waiting for them I was totally justified in ordering them to the beer store and not paying for a damn thing!

[cKy]

Home Depot - rent their trucks. They dont get beat up as much, and they are generally newer and better maintained then the sketchy U-Hauls.

[JustAnotherGuy]

I had a friend move from Calgary to Victoria. She booked some long haul company. Loading up worked out pretty good. Although they packed some stuff they weren't supposed to so she was scrambling for a bit. Who would pack a carry all into a moving truck?

Anyway, they told her it would get at the destination 4 days later or something like that. So she stayed at friends for a couple days and was getting ready to drive to Victoria. She phones the moving company to confirm that everything is as planned.

That is when they informed her that they would not be able to be at the destination for another 8 days. For a total of 10 days. She was shocked. She has three kids with her. What was she supposed to do about clothes etc etc etc. Moving company said. Oh well. Sorry. But that is the best we can do.

They ended up staying at some relatives for 6 days in Kelowna. lol

[Nage Waza]

Avoid renting the truck on the start/end of a month when it is super busy. If you can move during weekday business hours part way through a month, you will have a better chance of getting the vehicle you want.

Also, get a truck larger than you think you need. Load all the boxes first and use mattresses to pack the boxes in and the use couches to hold up the mattresses. If you need to leave the truck over night, back it up to a wall / garage door, lock it and remove the spark plugs (make sure your insurance company will cover your contents in the truck over night). Owning or renting a dolly or two is worth it.

Most of the truck companies will absolutely not have a truck for you no matter how early you reserve, so you better have a backup plan. In fact, I know of one company where the first truck reservation will get bounced by the latest truck reservation. I not only bribed uhaul with donuts, coffee etc. the night before, was at the door an hour before they opened (one person ahead of me) and had a special order steeped Tim's tea for the manager, they still had not truck for me, yet they had a reservation for all those people that were behind me in line (I reserved and called many times to confirm, and was there with the donuts the night before). Make sure you have a backup plan!

[REDVAN]

I plan on reserving at least 2 or three trucks (as long as I don't need a deposit) after this thread.

I'll be moving on one day, probably a weekday mid-month, and have 2 dolly's.

I'll also call a cleaning company for an estimate soon- I'd rather not trust the Safeway vacs, regardless of my landlord accepting it or not.

[DownhillGoat]

Saw in the sears flyer this morning that they charge 29.99 per room (min of 4 rooms, max 200 sq/ft per room).

[Jayems]

I moved with uhaul two weeks ago. Had no problems. Got it from the place out across from Calaway Park. The only thing was that when we returned the truck, she tried to charge us for like 150 miles. I declared shenanigans and she promptly reduced it to 50, which was accurate, thus saving me about $80. So just make sure you write down the mileage before you leave. Good service, the truck wasn't in too bad of shape and it got done what needed to be done.

[BlackArcher101]

Of the 4 times I moved with Uhaul, they never had what I booked (and what they promised)
1st time, I needed a large trailer... nothing on the lot, wasn't returned. Moved 3 days later.
2nd time, I needed a small truck... double booked. Ended up calling a mover.
3rd time, I needed a small truck... double booked. I was there first but the other person was travelling from out of town to pick it up. I got bumped and they offered a van. Took 8 trips with the van to do what the truck could have done in 1. I only paid for the miles on 1 trip.
4th time, I needed a small truck. (Travelling from Calgary to pick it up in Red Deer). Wasn't there, said I didn't have a reservation even though the guy I'm currently talking to at the dealer is the one that called me to confirm the night before. What BS. Called their hotline again (they almost know me by name now) and they arrange a MUCH larger truck at a different location (out of town). Looked like it was from the 70's and the rear door wouldn't open... and the truck was waaaaay to large for me. Call again, get sent to a location in town again, but this time has THREE of the trucks I wanted in the first place. Finally get one after delaying my moving day 4 hours.

So 4 times, 4 double booked or "lost" reservations.

F U-Haul... they will ALWAYS delay or mess up your moving plans.