4 Tips For Safely Driving A Moving Truck
If you have never driven anything larger than a car, truck, or SUV, trying to drive a large moving truck during a DIY move can be an entirely new – and potentially dangerous – experience.
Add in the stress of overseeing an entire move from start to finish and, unfortunately, the odds of having an accident become greater.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help bring those odds back down.
To help make sure that both you and your belongings arrive safe and sound at your new home, use extra caution and incorporate these 4 tips – along with all the other standard safety precautions – while transporting your belongings:
- Allow for extra braking time – A large truck takes longer to stop, so anticipate stops sooner and stay a safe distance away from the car in front of you.
- Pay attention to clearance signs – The average moving truck may need up to 12 feet of clearance, so avoid low-rise bridges, drive-thrus, certain underpasses and parking lots with entrance over-hangs.
- Get help backing up – Every vehicle has blind spots, but they can be even worse with large trucks. If you do not have a friend or family member available, get out and check for pedestrians, mailboxes, ditches, etc, before you start backing up. You may need to do this more than once as you try to adjust to steering a larger vehicle.
- Do not overload the truck – Distribute the weight with heavier items toward the front, packing them tightly throughout, but do not exceed weight limits. This could damage the truck, leaving you stranded during your move, or make it even more dangerous to drive.
Most importantly, if you are not confident that you can safely drive the truck yourself, hire a professional. Yes, it will probably cost more up front, but, in the long run, lower-budget DIY moves can sometimes end up costing the most.
If you would like our fully trained and licensed College HUNKS to help you move, give us a call today at 1-800-586-5872 or schedule your stress-free service online by clicking right here!