<p>We are renting a 14 foot box truck from UHaul to move my daughter to her new apartment. How does the truck handle? I am a little concerned as my DH has never driven a truck before and insists that it’s “no problem,” and we will be driving on major highways.</p>
<p>Any thoughts/ experience/ advice?</p>
<p>I think he will be fine. If he could get a couple rounds around the town to get a feel for the truck’s blind spots and functions, everything will be good. </p>
<p>I did - on Sunday. It had 4300 miles on it. I found it pretty bumpy and almost had an accident when getting on the highway with an entrance onto the fast lane of the highway. I couldn’t see an SUV that was right next to me. There is also a tow/haul feature that needs to be shut off when driving on wet pavement.</p>
<p>GET THE INSURANCE!</p>
<p>What do consider a long distance? I drove one 240 miles when I was 18 to move into my college apartment. Just fine on the Interstate, but driving in the city was a serious challenge…especially since I was not too familiar with the route. Plan well to avoid major traffic.</p>
<p>Remember it takes longer to break when it’s loaded! Watch out for low clearances, if there is a sign that says no trucks that means you! If you are in the Boston area do not take Storrow Drive, every year some one wedges a U-Haul trunk under an overpass. If you are stopping at a hotel along the way ask about parking, once I was got a “truckers rate” because of the size of the u-haul, a pleasant surprise!</p>
<p>Not sure why breaks take longer, but it does take longer to brake. (Sorry, grammar nerd) 
</p>
<p>My H did it - through Chicago during Lollapalooza 2 years ago! He was fine. We rented a Budget truck with the AARP discount … which included the insurance at no extra cost.</p>
<p>I drove one about 900 miles a couple of years ago. You just have to remember that you’re in a truck, and don’t get yourself into situations that are more appropriate for a Minicooper. </p>
<p>Remember how tall the truck is, and pick places to park it that don’t require a lot of backing up and maneuvering. Like everything else, it just requires some common sense coupled with some experience. Do not become impatient and go too fast. You’ll be able to roll the truck over much more easily than you can roll a regular SUV or car if you have to make some quick move. Make sure your cargo is secured, and loaded properly, especially if there is a lot of it. </p>
<p>I drove one cross country a few years back. My husband had already started work so I did all the miles myself, with a preteen navigator. It’s pretty easy to adapt, just need to get comfortable with wider turns and I chose our stops so I could park by pulling in forward and pulling out in the same direction - avoided backing up. You guys should be fine.</p>
<p>I did…a long time ago. As noted…be careful of the height clearance especially at gas stations and drive thrus. </p>
<p>Just don’t plan to go fast. I would say 55 would be a top speed. Back when the dinos roamed, there was a speed governor on UHauls and you couldn’t go faster. </p>
<p>Plan to stop and get put every so often. It’s not the smoothest ride in the world.</p>
<p>The biggest issue you will face is finding parking at your destination while you unload. </p>
<p>Plan to spend a ton on gas. These things are gas guzzlers.</p>
<p>My daughter did, she drove less than 50 minutes. She did say it was not easy to handle. But she had no help from us, she had to do it.</p>
<p>I drove a 24’ truck about a thousand miles, a few years ago. You need to remember that it speeds up and brakes slower, has a few height issues, turns wide, and reacts to the wind like a sailboat. You should also remember that unless you are accustomed to driving tall vehicles, it will feel as if it is going slower than it really is. But if you drive it cautiously and with respect for your inexperience you should be fine.</p>
<p>*
Not sure why breaks take longer, but it does take longer to brake. (Sorry, grammar nerd)<br>
*</p>
<p>Weight increases stopping distance.</p>
<p>*
Not sure why breaks take longer, but it does take longer to brake. (Sorry, grammar nerd)<br>
*</p>
<p>Weight increases stopping distance.</p>
<p>But are you sure she needs that much room?
That is large enough for a small house or two bedroom apartment.
The looser you pack, more room to slide around.</p>
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<p>and be careful when turning corners…it is easy to clip a corner with those long trucks.</p>
<p>I almost hit something when going into a gas station. Luckily, the gas station owner was outside and warned me. He ended up pulling it up to the pump for me…lol. </p>
<p>TAKE THE INSURANCE!!!</p>
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<p>I like this concept of respecting one’s inexperience. 
Nicely put. I can think of ways to logically extend it relating to other things, but hoping for it is too much to ask. </p>
<p>Actually, is this vehicle really necessary in terms of size? It does seem rather large for one person. Are you moving three rooms of furniture to her new location?</p>
<p>14-footer has a smaller cab and different chassis then the 24-footer. Driving the 14-footer was like driving my old Suburban. The 24 footer with a tow hitch and trailer towing a vehicle was like driving a fully loaded semi. Did that from northern CA to NC 3000+ miles, single mom 5 kiddos…tons of FUN! Budget was cheaper for us than Uhaul for that particular trip. Also there is a coupon in the change of address kit from USPS.</p>
<p>Pack it tight, drive it sensibly, be mindful of high winds…plan a route according to the weather…try to avoid tornados, bad thunderstorms and hurricanes. Boxes are cheaper at Uhaul, so is tape and the packing paper…home depots prices aren’t bad either. Get the moving blankets and wrap up the furniture tight.</p>
<p>We have a local car rental place that rents box trucks by the day but does NOT charge mileage. So you just pay for the day(s) and gas. It worked out better for us getting the kiddos to college than Uhaul.</p>
<p>We have USAA and it covers us for rentals. But if not, buy the insurance.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>We recently rented a 12’ Penske truck for about a 3000 mile trip (over the mountains). It worked fine for a very small apartment of furniture (limited furniture but lots of boxes). Some things to consider:</p>
<p>-The 12’ truck size is lower to the ground, so no ramp is needed – much easier to load imho. It is sometimes harder to find the 12’ size, however, as Penske has far more of the larger sized trucks in their fleet.
-The 12’ truck length fit more easily in a standard parking space (although we still looked for wider ones).
-We were advised to go with Penske because their trucks tend to be in better repair and condition.
-Penske gives a substantial discount to AAA members – worth becoming a member if you’re not one already.
-Pack tight. We cross-braced between every few feet with rope to help prevent movement. Bungee cords are also very helpful to secure to the side rails.
-We used pillows and cushions to fill voids.
-Total cost was around $ 1200-1300 including gas (From memory, the truck was approx. $750?)
-Our auto insurance covers rentals up to a certain weight.The 12’ truck was within their limit, so there was no need to purchase added insurance. This is for collision & liability – not the contents. Check with your auto insurance.