Even for a moving company, there are times when a rental truck is useful or needed. Some times that come to mind are:
1) in very busy times when all the company owned trucks are already in service
2) when there is an unexpected breakdown
3) when a customer has an unexpected issue such as trouble at the closing and needs to store items in the truck for a day or three
4) when providing service for a long distance move where all of the items will not fit in a single truck.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
How to Select a Rented Movers Truck
If you want to rent a truck, how do you decide what to select? There are a number of factors to consider.
If you are making a local move the decision is easy to make. The things to consider are price, availability, distance to the dealer, and ease of loading and unloading. On a local move, the size of the truck is not a huge issue because if it won’t all fit the first load, you simply make a second trip.
Selecting a truck for a one way move a long distance away should be considered carefully. It is wise to spend time ponder all of the options. The things to consider are price, fuel mileage, dependability, truck size, comfort, and distance to the dealer at each end of the trip
Pricing for long distance one way truck rentals is based on a number of factors not always proportional to the real cost of driving the truck. If a rental company has an influx of trucks to a certain area, they have a tendency to discount trucks leaving the area, especially if the client is driving the truck to an area that has a shortage of trucks. As an extreme example, a few years back, we had trucks moving in and out of the greater New York area frequently. When I checked on the price of renting a truck to bring back to North Carolina, the rental company wanted $2300 for the truck alone, excluding pads, insurance, and fuel – while a truck leaving North Carolina and heading to the New York area was running less than $400.00. It always pays to shop all the companies to find out who is offering the best deal.
Diesel trucks will burn about one third less fuel than gas trucks, but with diesel fuel about 5-10% higher than gas, the difference becomes nominal. However, diesel trucks tend to be more dependable and are more powerful than gas.
Truck size is a major concern, because if you fail to get all the goods in, a second load is not a good option. It is better to have a truck that is too big, rather than one that is too small. If you cannot get all your goods into the biggest truck, what are the options? Most obvious is a second truck, which effectively doubles the cost of the rental. Another option is a trailer. Rental truck companies will not allow you to tow a trailer from another rental company behind their trucks. They will, however, allow you to pull your own trailer, should you happen to have one.
If you decide to use a rental truck, each of the rental truck companies has their truck specs listed on their web sites. You can look at truck sizes and available cube space, weight limits, fuel mileage, and amenities –along with a plethora of additional information. Each company will list the reasons that you should choose them. The final decision is yours.
If you are making a local move the decision is easy to make. The things to consider are price, availability, distance to the dealer, and ease of loading and unloading. On a local move, the size of the truck is not a huge issue because if it won’t all fit the first load, you simply make a second trip.
Selecting a truck for a one way move a long distance away should be considered carefully. It is wise to spend time ponder all of the options. The things to consider are price, fuel mileage, dependability, truck size, comfort, and distance to the dealer at each end of the trip
Pricing for long distance one way truck rentals is based on a number of factors not always proportional to the real cost of driving the truck. If a rental company has an influx of trucks to a certain area, they have a tendency to discount trucks leaving the area, especially if the client is driving the truck to an area that has a shortage of trucks. As an extreme example, a few years back, we had trucks moving in and out of the greater New York area frequently. When I checked on the price of renting a truck to bring back to North Carolina, the rental company wanted $2300 for the truck alone, excluding pads, insurance, and fuel – while a truck leaving North Carolina and heading to the New York area was running less than $400.00. It always pays to shop all the companies to find out who is offering the best deal.
Diesel trucks will burn about one third less fuel than gas trucks, but with diesel fuel about 5-10% higher than gas, the difference becomes nominal. However, diesel trucks tend to be more dependable and are more powerful than gas.
Truck size is a major concern, because if you fail to get all the goods in, a second load is not a good option. It is better to have a truck that is too big, rather than one that is too small. If you cannot get all your goods into the biggest truck, what are the options? Most obvious is a second truck, which effectively doubles the cost of the rental. Another option is a trailer. Rental truck companies will not allow you to tow a trailer from another rental company behind their trucks. They will, however, allow you to pull your own trailer, should you happen to have one.
If you decide to use a rental truck, each of the rental truck companies has their truck specs listed on their web sites. You can look at truck sizes and available cube space, weight limits, fuel mileage, and amenities –along with a plethora of additional information. Each company will list the reasons that you should choose them. The final decision is yours.
Comparing Professional Moving Trucks, Freight Trucks and Rental Movers Trucks
There are some major differences between freight trucks, professional mover's trucks and rental mover's trucks. Since most freight is moved from dock to dock, and standard dock height is 4', freight truck bed height is set at 4' as well. This is not as well suited to moving household goods because 4' is a lot of rise for carrying heavy articles by hand, or even with a dolly. Many freight trucks have no means for getting items from the bed to the ground, although some have lift gates or ramps. Lift gates are manageable for moving furniture, but not ideal because they are very slow. Freight trucks generally have one door at the rear of the bed that is a roll up door. This is ideal for freight because the driver can open the bed door from the loading dock. With swing out doors the driver would need to exit the truck, open the doors, and then enter the truck and back it to the dock.
Although many smaller moving companies will use freight trucks, professional mover’s trucks are designed differently. They are usually much lower than a freight truck making them more efficient to load. They have three sets of swing out doors, one on each side, and one in the rear. Side doors are desirable because often it is much easier to load or offload on the side due to accessibility. Swing out doors is preferred because roll up doors take up part of the load space where the door pulls into the truck. Mover's trucks have e-rails and use logistic straps to hold the goods, which are packed in tiers, in place. Some movers trucks have pull out bumpers, which allow some goods to be loaded outside the truck, should the load be too large to all fit inside. Mover's trucks tend to be low, yet tall, allowing for plenty of space for loading.
Rental trucks, on the other hand, tend to be a bit of a hybrid. Because they are driven by the general public who often lack the experience of professional drivers, they are designed to be lower at the top of the bed. This reduces the likelihood of collision with low branches, overhangs, or bridges, but results in less available loading space within the truck. Rental trucks have roll up doors on the rear, but no side doors. Most rental trucks have tie loops and/or rub rails, along interior sides of the box for securing items to the walls. Rental truck companies will rent pads to use for your move, but in general they do not compare with professional movers pads; they are usually smaller and thinner than what the professionals use.
Although many smaller moving companies will use freight trucks, professional mover’s trucks are designed differently. They are usually much lower than a freight truck making them more efficient to load. They have three sets of swing out doors, one on each side, and one in the rear. Side doors are desirable because often it is much easier to load or offload on the side due to accessibility. Swing out doors is preferred because roll up doors take up part of the load space where the door pulls into the truck. Mover's trucks have e-rails and use logistic straps to hold the goods, which are packed in tiers, in place. Some movers trucks have pull out bumpers, which allow some goods to be loaded outside the truck, should the load be too large to all fit inside. Mover's trucks tend to be low, yet tall, allowing for plenty of space for loading.
Rental trucks, on the other hand, tend to be a bit of a hybrid. Because they are driven by the general public who often lack the experience of professional drivers, they are designed to be lower at the top of the bed. This reduces the likelihood of collision with low branches, overhangs, or bridges, but results in less available loading space within the truck. Rental trucks have roll up doors on the rear, but no side doors. Most rental trucks have tie loops and/or rub rails, along interior sides of the box for securing items to the walls. Rental truck companies will rent pads to use for your move, but in general they do not compare with professional movers pads; they are usually smaller and thinner than what the professionals use.
Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: Budget
Budget was the next company to enter the market in 1958. In 1998 they acquired Ryder TRS, the division of Ryder which specialized in rental trucks for do it your self household movers. Their trucks are semi low profile, such that the can work for either freight or moving. Budget also specializes in local and one way truck rentals, offers moving tool rental and sells moving supplies. Budget offers moving trucks in three sizes, 10', 16', and 24'. The also offer cargo van rentals, and car carrier trailers. Budget trucks are burn gasoline, except for the 24’ ones, which are diesel.
Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: Penske
Penske is the third company, entering the business in 1969. Penske has grown dramatically since that time. In 1983 they joined Hertz to become Hertz Penske. In later years Penske dropped away from Hertz, and went international with the acquisition of other truck renting and leasing companies here and abroad. Their focus is much broader. The provide rental trucks for local and one way moves, but they also rent and lease straight trucks and tractor trailers to corporations. Penske trucks are set up to use either as freight trucks or as moving trucks. They also rent moving tools and car tow dollies and sell moving supplies.
Penske has full service repair shops for their own equipment at many of their locations, and also seek business from outside corporate accounts. Penske has an superior maintenance program.
Penske has moving trucks in lengths of 12', 16', 22' and 26'. They also offer cargo vans and car carrier trailers. Penske also has a fleet of freight trucks used for local rentals that can also be used for moving. The freight trucks are 26’ trucks with a lift gate rather than a ramp. Penske trucks burn gas, except for the 26’, which are diesel.
Penske has full service repair shops for their own equipment at many of their locations, and also seek business from outside corporate accounts. Penske has an superior maintenance program.
Penske has moving trucks in lengths of 12', 16', 22' and 26'. They also offer cargo vans and car carrier trailers. Penske also has a fleet of freight trucks used for local rentals that can also be used for moving. The freight trucks are 26’ trucks with a lift gate rather than a ramp. Penske trucks burn gas, except for the 26’, which are diesel.
Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: U-Haul
Uhaul was first to enter the market in 1945 as a trailer rental company, and has grown to a multi billion operation offering truck and trailer rentals, moving tool rentals, storage, cartons and moving supplies, propane sales, and portable storage containers. They specialize in one way rental trucks trailers, and tow dollies for the general public.
Uhaul offers a great variety of different equipment. They offer pick up trucks and cargo vans, moving trucks measuring 10', 14', 17', 24' and 26'. Uhaul trucks have what they call a mom's attic, or overhang over the cab which make them sound longer than they actually are because the attic space in included in the length measurement. Their trucks are low profile for easy loading and offloading.
They also offer trailers which can be pulled behind their trucks or by standard automobiles. The trailers range from 6-12' and include enclosed cargo trailers and open utility trailers. They also offer car tow dollies and car carrier trailers. Uhaul is the only national company offering one way trailer rentals. All Uhaul trucks burn gasoline.
Uhaul offers a great variety of different equipment. They offer pick up trucks and cargo vans, moving trucks measuring 10', 14', 17', 24' and 26'. Uhaul trucks have what they call a mom's attic, or overhang over the cab which make them sound longer than they actually are because the attic space in included in the length measurement. Their trucks are low profile for easy loading and offloading.
They also offer trailers which can be pulled behind their trucks or by standard automobiles. The trailers range from 6-12' and include enclosed cargo trailers and open utility trailers. They also offer car tow dollies and car carrier trailers. Uhaul is the only national company offering one way trailer rentals. All Uhaul trucks burn gasoline.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Valuation Coverage on Intrastate North Carolina Moves
Understanding valuation coverage when moving is one of the most important challenges facing many clients. Valuation coverage though similar, is not identical on intra and interstate moves. Here we will be referring to local or long distance intrastate moving in North Carolina.
The first thing a client should know is that valuation coverage technically is not the same as insurance, though many refer to it as such. Only licensed insurance companies or brokers are permitted to sell insurance, and for this reason, any damage protection against property being moved by a moving company will be referred to as valuation coverage. This coverage is generally backed by the moving company's cargo and liability insurance coverage, should a serious claim be rendered.
Valuation coverage is very often misunderstood by moving company clients for many reasons. Some mistakenly assume that since a moving company is moving the property, they should be fully responsible for what happens to it during the relocation. Unfortunately, this is not the case and they often do not truly learn about valuation coverage until they put forth a claim and expect full reimbursement for a damaged article, even though they chose not to purchase any coverage beyond basic value protection.
From an economic standpoint let's ask the following: Should a moving company cover all property moved with full value protection for free, that would mean that any damage caused during the move -- for any reason -- would mean a pay out either by the moving company or its insurance company? This would incur additional expense to the moving company and would result in higher prices for everybody, across the board. So for those clients who do not need more coverage, for a variety of reasons, the price of their move would still be higher. This would put a burden on those shippers needing a low cost move.
Valuation options give the consumer a better way to control the cost of their move. If they need additional coverage, it is an available option. In other words, basic value protection allows the shipper to accept a lesser level of coverage in return for a reduced price on the move.
Valuation coverage for residential moving in North Carolina is regulated by the NC Utilities Commission, as are all residential moves in transit in moving company operated trucks across state highways. This means that all legal moving companies operating in NC are required to offer the same three types of coverage. These are basic value protection, which is included in the cost of the move -- and also depreciated value protection and full value protection -- which are both fee based coverage.
With basic value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the weight of that article is determined and that weight is multiplied by 60¢ for a total claim value. This coverage is based solely and the weight of the article, and not on its value. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
With depreciated value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price and age of that article would be determined, and the moving company would be responsible for the depreciated value of the claim. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
And with full value protection, or replacement valuation, should an item being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price of that article would be determined and the moving company would be responsible for replacement, whether it be a cash payout or actual replacement article. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
Notice that in all three coverages, it is always the carrier’s option to repair a damaged article. At Triangle Moving Service, we use the AMSA Joint Military/Industry Table of Weights and Depreciation Guide to determine item weights and depreciation values.
Another avenue to explore for coverage is home owners or renters insurance. In many cases, this coverage will be adequate to cover the property in transit, and the client need not expend the extra dollars for additional coverage. It is always wise for the homeowner to check with their local agent, since not all policies are written the same way and some exclude transit damage. If there should be a claim in many cases the basic value protection the moving company provides will be adequate to cover the deductible of the homeowners claim, leaving little or no payout from the insured. However, some clients prefer to purchase the additional coverage rather than chance a claim against their homeowner’s policy which may result in higher homeowner’s insurance rates in the future.
Lastly, here are a few other points about valuation coverage. The shipper must inform the carrier in writing on the carriers documents about any items exceeding a value of $100.00 per pound. Without this declaration, the carrier is liable for no more that $100 per pound for any of these lost or damaged articles. In addition, most carriers will require you to sign a limitation of liability for particle board, which limits the carrier to coverage of 60¢ per pound per article regardless of what coverage applies. This is because particle board is inherently weak and prone to deteriorate without fault of the carrier. Also, should a damaged article be part of a set, such as a dining room table and chairs, and one item is damaged, the carrier is responsible only for the damaged article, not the whole set. Most moving companies will decline claims for items that were packed by the shipper, unless mishandling of the box is witnessed or evident by the condition of the carton. At the close of your move it would be wise to inspect all cartons for visible damage before your mover departs and inspect the contents if exterior damage is evident.
The first thing a client should know is that valuation coverage technically is not the same as insurance, though many refer to it as such. Only licensed insurance companies or brokers are permitted to sell insurance, and for this reason, any damage protection against property being moved by a moving company will be referred to as valuation coverage. This coverage is generally backed by the moving company's cargo and liability insurance coverage, should a serious claim be rendered.
Valuation coverage is very often misunderstood by moving company clients for many reasons. Some mistakenly assume that since a moving company is moving the property, they should be fully responsible for what happens to it during the relocation. Unfortunately, this is not the case and they often do not truly learn about valuation coverage until they put forth a claim and expect full reimbursement for a damaged article, even though they chose not to purchase any coverage beyond basic value protection.
From an economic standpoint let's ask the following: Should a moving company cover all property moved with full value protection for free, that would mean that any damage caused during the move -- for any reason -- would mean a pay out either by the moving company or its insurance company? This would incur additional expense to the moving company and would result in higher prices for everybody, across the board. So for those clients who do not need more coverage, for a variety of reasons, the price of their move would still be higher. This would put a burden on those shippers needing a low cost move.
Valuation options give the consumer a better way to control the cost of their move. If they need additional coverage, it is an available option. In other words, basic value protection allows the shipper to accept a lesser level of coverage in return for a reduced price on the move.
Valuation coverage for residential moving in North Carolina is regulated by the NC Utilities Commission, as are all residential moves in transit in moving company operated trucks across state highways. This means that all legal moving companies operating in NC are required to offer the same three types of coverage. These are basic value protection, which is included in the cost of the move -- and also depreciated value protection and full value protection -- which are both fee based coverage.
With basic value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the weight of that article is determined and that weight is multiplied by 60¢ for a total claim value. This coverage is based solely and the weight of the article, and not on its value. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
With depreciated value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price and age of that article would be determined, and the moving company would be responsible for the depreciated value of the claim. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
And with full value protection, or replacement valuation, should an item being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price of that article would be determined and the moving company would be responsible for replacement, whether it be a cash payout or actual replacement article. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.
Notice that in all three coverages, it is always the carrier’s option to repair a damaged article. At Triangle Moving Service, we use the AMSA Joint Military/Industry Table of Weights and Depreciation Guide to determine item weights and depreciation values.
Another avenue to explore for coverage is home owners or renters insurance. In many cases, this coverage will be adequate to cover the property in transit, and the client need not expend the extra dollars for additional coverage. It is always wise for the homeowner to check with their local agent, since not all policies are written the same way and some exclude transit damage. If there should be a claim in many cases the basic value protection the moving company provides will be adequate to cover the deductible of the homeowners claim, leaving little or no payout from the insured. However, some clients prefer to purchase the additional coverage rather than chance a claim against their homeowner’s policy which may result in higher homeowner’s insurance rates in the future.
Lastly, here are a few other points about valuation coverage. The shipper must inform the carrier in writing on the carriers documents about any items exceeding a value of $100.00 per pound. Without this declaration, the carrier is liable for no more that $100 per pound for any of these lost or damaged articles. In addition, most carriers will require you to sign a limitation of liability for particle board, which limits the carrier to coverage of 60¢ per pound per article regardless of what coverage applies. This is because particle board is inherently weak and prone to deteriorate without fault of the carrier. Also, should a damaged article be part of a set, such as a dining room table and chairs, and one item is damaged, the carrier is responsible only for the damaged article, not the whole set. Most moving companies will decline claims for items that were packed by the shipper, unless mishandling of the box is witnessed or evident by the condition of the carton. At the close of your move it would be wise to inspect all cartons for visible damage before your mover departs and inspect the contents if exterior damage is evident.
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