Renting a van - how to choose one and how to move with it

Posted on 07/02/2013

When moving home on a budget, you'll have to take the transport arrangements into your own hands. This is a large commitment, because you have to put a lot of effort into renting the right van, picking it up, loading it, as well as planning and driving the journey itself. It takes a lot of effort to get this segment of the process right, and there's much to go wrong. By following this guide, you can have an easier time getting the van you want, and the stress-free moving experience you deserve.What van do you need?There's a few things you need to consider when choosing a van to rent. It should have; a good carrying capacity, perfect mechanical quality and a loading bay that suits you. The amount of storage space you need is dictated, obviously, by the amount of things you're moving. Make a note of the amount of space the larger objects will take up, and also the amount of boxes and bags you're taking. If you know this, you can make a rough estimate.When renting a van, you'd expect it to work properly from the moment you turn the key, to when you pull up at your new home. There's no sure fire method to ensure the van will make it the whole way, but you can do basic mechanical checks, like checking the steering, oil and brake fluid levels, and so on. Treat it like you're buying a used car, and only accept the keys when you know it's in good order.Finally, check the loading bay. If you need a ramp to help with loading the heavier objects, then make sure it has one. Also check if it comes with guideropes or storage racks, so you can secure every item properly.How to find the right companyNow that you know what kind of van you need, you should make a short list of all of the van rental services in your area, then do research into each of them. Check what sizes of vans they have, what additional services they provide, and see if they've got a price point that you can afford. Then, afterwards, check customer feedback websites and forums to see if they actually provide the support that they advertise and that you expect. If everything goes well, pick up the phone and arrange to go down and see what they have.Plan the journey beforehandMake sure you, at the very least, have directions. Take the time to print directions off, or properly set any navigation systems you have. If it's a long journey, then be sure that your journey goes past a fuel station or two, so you can refuel and take a break if necessary.When loading, take careSo, you've got the van you wanted, and it's time to load everything. Be sure to load the heavier items first, with help from your family and friends, of course. If you've got furniture thats easy to disassemble and reassemble, do so before putting them in if you feel it'll take less effort. Then, load all of the boxes. Again, heaviest ones first, and be sure to be extra careful with the ones with the breakables in them. Tie everything down, and be sure to double check that everything is secure before starting your journey.Now, you can set off, and have a safe journey in the knowledge that you've saved money, but not at the expense of any quality. By putting in the right amount of elbow grease, you can have this 'moving by yourself' deal completely pegged.