Long-Distance Moving Travel Guide
Moving across the country is hard, and if doing it yourself, there are a whole other list of things to consider. But if you plan ahead with Strong Hands, LLC., you’ll be set. We are more than willing to move your belongings long-distance for clients however some prefer just the low cost services we offer such as packing clients homes up and packing their rented truck. So, let’s be realistic here there are something you need to know when driving a moving truck. Clients need to make sure they choose the right truck for their needs and route they plan on taking. Moving trucks need to be loaded with the heaviest and largest items last. Familiarizing yourself with the truck is a must that include safety procedures of your truck. Whether clients are moving short-distance or long-distance it requires time, patience, organization and planning all things Strong Hands, LLC., can help with when booked. Once clients have found their home and finalized all the paper work it is an intelligent idea to start packing and planning the move!
The first thing clients should consider is how they get from place to place. Will they be hiring Strong Hands, LLC., or driving a moving truck long-distance themselves? While it could be so that the clients decided to drive to their far away destination independently, Strong Hands, LLC., will still walk clients through everything they need to know and consider beforehand. Here is where clients patience comes in, driving in high volume traffic and/or rush hour a 26 foot truck. But before you freak yourself out take a deep breath everything will work fine. Driving a moving truck you have to be confident and understand that driving a large truck is more similar to driving a car than most think.
Clients have to be over the age of 18 with a valid driver’s license and know the rules of the road. Clients ask, “Will I need a commercial driver’s license?” the answer is in most cast no you do not. Now after you determine your eligibility it’s time to go find you a truck that fits! Something clients need to consider include the following: which company you want to rent from, what size of commercial truck you need, cost to return the truck, cost of fuel/miles per gallon, additional fees that are required, customer service level, and any additional services offered. An important thing to think about is not only what size of moving truck clients can afford within their budget but what one is the right fit truck for their safety. For instance, here is a few things that could go wrong, if the truck you pick is too small for your load it will weigh too much and more than likely not be able to be packed properly. If the truck is too large your belongings will shift around while travelling and potentially get severely damaged. Strong Hands, LLC., refrains from instances like this because of our integrity policy. However, Strong Hands, LLC., suggest clients switch truck out and still seek our services because we enjoy helping make packing easier on clients. There are some important things clients should do before starting their new journey. Determining their route is definitely the first one. Google Maps is incredible, right? Google Maps and even GPS does help us get from point A to point B however sometimes we loose service going through dead zones. While traveling anywhere we should have a hard copy map in hands. Quiet frankly, it would be a could idea to highlight your route on an extra hard copy of your map that way you will know exactly where you are going. Estimating timing is awesome because sometimes it gives us an exact estimate of how long it will take to get from point A to B. Most importantly pick your rest stop and gas breaks before clients start their trip. By doing this, it gives travelers mile marks to aim for using the bathroom, grabbing food, etc., scheduling this makes it more enjoyable and barrable to tolerate long distance travel. Also, when estimating this into the travel time it helps everyone stay on a tangible schedule while taking adequate time to rest and re-cooperate. Let’s face it, when traveling long distance in a large truck clients will not want to risk opening up the back just to get the things they wish they would have packed in an overnight bag. So, prepare a large suitcase for everybody to share with all the essentials you will need such as tooth paste/tooth brushes, extra toilet paper, spare clothing, and any medication that might be needed. Doing this is highly underrated because having an accessible bag throughout your travel is really nice and convenient. Next, whenever traveling we should carry a first aid kit. Go to the pharmacy grab one and keep it close in case of any emergencies. Are we done yet? Almost! Lastly, we need to go over some safety tips for driving a large commercial truck. They rules of the road pretty much apply to any vehicle however moving trucks are larger and heavier therefor they require heightened attention to safe safe while traveling. Here are important MUST things to keep in mind:
- Speed: It’s tempting to drive fast so you can get to your destination faster. However, when driving a large and heavy commercial moving truck your speed could be deadly because the more heavy something is in motion the longer it takes to slow down. Drive at a safe, consistent speed. When you need to slow down, make sure you are lengths apart from those traveling around you because it will take a lot longer than a car for truck to come to a complete stop.
- Passing: When driving resist the urge to pass. Stay in the furthest right lane and only pass on the left when absolutely necessary. Just like when driving a car, do not ever pass on a hill or a curved road.
- Turning: As you may already have thought of turning a large truck needs more space than usual therefore give yourself extra room to maneuver around so you do not tip the truck.
- Parking: When parking the moving truck, find parking spots that are specifically for larger vehicles. If that’s not an option, park in an open area and avoid parking next to other cars. Give yourself space to get in and out of the spot and try not to block other cars in.
- Brakes: Check them before starting your travel journey. Unless absolutely necessary, do not slam on breaks when driving a moving truck. Moving trucks are heavy and require more time to slow down. Give yourself plenty of space between cars before braking. In addition to checking your brakes be sure to take breaks when you need it never allow yourself to drive drowsy or under the influence. It is better to take breaks than get into a tragic accident.
Now, when it comes to traveling… There are a lot zones and weather paths clients will go through potentially. Clients will need to prepare their rental truck for any weather they may encounter. It is strongly suggested to make sure the windshield wiped fluid is full, the windshield wipers are intact, and the tires are sturdy. Also, just for the heck of it especially during the colder months bring an excellent ice scraper, a couple warm insulated blankets, coat, and boots in case a snow storm comes blowing in or you loose heat inside the moto vehicle.
Driving long distance is hard work but as long as you prepare properly it will be a breeze. Doing it this way will allow clients to save time, stress, and from safety issues occurring on their journey to their new dream home. For Strong Hands, LLC., professional guidance and help give us a call at (607) 342-6761!