Rental trucks - Just doin' some research...

[HoleshotHolset]

Let's say that your buddy had to rent a truck to drive 1300 miles... .



One company can get diesel trucks - but they're International T444E's or DT466E's = yuck!! They can't guarantee a diesel truck, though... .



They all say 3-8mpg = ouch!!



Anyone have good experience with one particular rental company that does one-way rentals? So far, only Penske, U-Haul and Budget Trucks do one-ways.....



Would he be insane to get a gasser? - should he take one for the team just so that he doesn't have to let International power his precious junk across the country?



Is there anything he should look for - cool deals, hookups, tips, tricks, etc.....



Matt

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

http://www.pensketruckrental.com/business_rental/select_a_truck_specs/straight.html



Had nothin' for ya MTY?



#ad

 

[nickleinonen]

well, not going that long of a distance, but i did have to help a buddy move and we got a an old rental truck [ford f800 iirc with gas engine & slushbox]. the inside odometer didn't work so the rental company was using a tattletale mounted to the hub with "tamper proof" screws that required a t50 tamper restant key. we were only going to make one trip, but we made 3 [good deal as we were charged by km] wrong yes, but he was dirt cheap... :-laf

 

[TboneMan]

I just helped a buddy of mine move from Syracuse to Tampa.



He used a commercial trucking company. They dropped off one of those small trailers (I think it was 25'). We loaded it (it came with a ramp), and the tractor came back a couple of days later and picked up the trailer. We just placed a bulk head at the end of the load. The trucking company then fills the rest of the trailer with whatever frieght they have going to the general area and also runs tandems. The trailer is dropped off ready for unloading at the new location after the freight is deliverd .



He paid by the foot for the space used in the trailer (in this case 16'). I think he was paying $100 per linear foot or something like that. One way rentals were ranging $2500-$3000 (plus fuel, lodging and food).

 

[klenger]

When I moved from Denver to Tucson last year, I had CF move my stuff. I got a whole 28' PUP (I don't know what that means) and they only charged me $1300 for the 900 mile move. They went out of business a couple of days after I got my stuff unloaded.

 

[TboneMan]

ABF Freight Systems was the trucking company.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

My buddy really wants to go the rental truck route..... he wants to tow out his vehicle at the same time.



TMTT: Penske is the company I'm trying to get him to go with. They have had the best rates from my initial research. The 16' diesel City Van you have pictured is sweet... . BUT it has a smaller fuel tank... . which is exactly why we were leaning towards the 18' or 24' diesel trucks. BUT - Since the big suckers only have a 50 gallon tank - he'll be stopping often no matter what.



On to the fuel tank size VS. fuel economy (small vs. big trucks) VS. savings of going from the big sucker to a smaller truck.....



There are some folks around here at work that would just love to see a pie chart of this research..... :-laf



Thanks for all the response - truck rental and trailer advice.



Matt

 

[C. Harlan]

If your friend has a CDL, he can rent a Ryder truck with air brakes. . sure it will be larger, but you KNOW its got an oil burner in it!



-Chris-

 

[DHayden]

Having done several cross country moves myself, I have found Ryder to be the best way to go. They have up to 24' trucks, mainly diesel auto's, they are newer and no CDL required. I called around alot to get the best deal and ryder was always it. Actually one time they werent but I told them what U-hauls special was and they beat it.

 

[Philip]

Stay away from anything gas powered in the 16' range and up. The milage will kill you on cost. The company I used to work for rented a Chevy gasser with a 20' boxand a 366 gas engine. It used 45 gallons of gas for a 150 mile trip.



A week later we rented a 24' Ford with a IH diesel in it. It used 25 gallons of fuel for the exact same trip to the same place and back.



The gasser was a U-haul. The diesel was a Ryder rent a wreck.

 

[baby.driver]

I found the truck rental so expensive I bought an 18 foot trailer instead.

Cost me $4000, but I own it.

Even if I sell it at a loss, I'm ahead.

 

[Morphious]

Not hauling any fertilizer are you? Just wondering diesel, one way trip, etc... .



Morph.

 

[bmoeller]

When I drove a U-Haul truck down with my grandparents stuff in it, I got 10mpg. with it. The truck (IH med. duty w/air ride) had a IH 7. 3L IDI, N/A engine, 5spd (no O/D) and probably had 4. 10's in it. Was pretty light and didn't pull a trailer.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

OK - I'll come clean... . I was hoping to have a more formal press release... but this should suffice.



I have tentatively agreed to a verbal offer for a promotion with the same company I work for now. The job involves me moving to the Madison, WI branch. Since this has only been a verbal agreement - I wanted to postpone the announcement to all my friends until I was absolutely sure I'm leaving..... AFTER I sign on the dotted line.



Back to the truck debate... .



As far as I knew - Ryder didn't offer 1-way rentals.

I don't have a CDL - even though I want one... someday.



I tossed around the idea of buying a trailer - but my current truck situation won't allow me to tow a trailer that far. (Long story... . )

The other issue is selling/storing the trailer once I get there. I'll be living in an apartment..... so I can't store it anywhere.



Truck rentals (with car trailer - for the VW) have ranged from ~$1400 - all inclusive (Penske) to $1800+ (U-Haul).



I'll probably have to leave the truck at home - until I find a place for it... and until it's all up to par to make the trip.



Right now I'm thinking 18' med. -duty Penske truck - diesel of course. The only thing that stinks is that no rental company I have seen so far can guarantee me a diesel truck.



GREAT info - keep it up!!



Thanks,

Matt

 

[rmrc]

I've rented from Penske 4 times doing moves from New York To Virginia. In all cases I never got a diesel. On the positive side, the trucks were always new! The oldest truck I got was two years old. At least I didn't have to worry about getting an old piece of junk wondering if I was going to break down.



I've heard many horror stories about U-Haul.

 

[Crash_AF]

I don't know what Ryder dealer you've been talking to (or they may have changed their policies) but I got a 1 way two years ago from Colorado to Charleston and it was an IH Diesel.



Ryder Commercial will only rent round trip, that may be your problem because Ryder's moving division was bought out by Budget rent a wreck...



To get a quote, go to http://www.yellowtruck.com



U-Haul is fine for around town, but I wouldn't take them on a long trip. Their trucks are almost all garbage because they don't give their rental agents any money to maintain the trucks outside of normal preventative maintenance. Unless the truck dies on the side of the road, it doesn't get any major repairs.



Hope this helps.



Later,

Joe H

 

[DHayden]

I have used a 24' Ryder on more than 6 cross country one way moves. No CDL required, and I have been guaranteed a diesel with at least a weeks notice. Maybe things have changed, the last time I used one was a year and a half ago but it seemed to be working for them so why mess with it?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks for your continued efforts in helping me make up my mind.....



Matt

 

[QRTRHRS]

Pup?

Originally posted by klenger

When I moved from Denver to Tucson last year, I had CF move my stuff. I got a whole 28' PUP (I don't know what that means) and they only charged me $1300 for the 900 mile move. They went out of business a couple of days after I got my stuff unloaded.

Far as I know, the term Pup is just a name some pundant thought up for a shorty trailer. Put two of them together as you see the LTL (less than loaded) companies pulling and you have, ready for this, a set of pups.

 

[johnrv4]

Another WI FREAK?

Uh-oh, sounds like we might have to add another FREAK to our WI cheesehead list . Madison is a nice area, but they might not like all that diesel smoke. Quite a party town now that everyone is back to school. Shoot me a PM if you're heading out, we'll have a "Welcome to Wisconsin" bombing party. Oo. Oo.