Driving a moving truck is way different than driving your own personal vehicle.  It takes a lot longer to get from point A to B.  Allow yourself more time and space for reaction.  If you’ve never driven a moving truck before, here are some things you should know:

Turning the truck:  Trucks make wider turns than smaller vehicles do, make sure you know where curbs are.

Height of the truck:  It is important that you know the height of the vehicle you are driving before heading out on the road.  There are obstacles you might face for instance: bridges, underpasses, drive thrus, gas stations, communities with low branches, etc.  Make sure you know where you are traveling before you get yourself in trouble (or cause damage to the vehicle).

Backing Up the vehicle:  Have someone guide you when it comes to backing up the truck.  There is window you can look out of behind you, and backing up using your mirrors takes some practice.

Stopping the Vehicle:  Always allow yourself more time to brake.  Trucks need more time to brake than a personal vehicle does.

Required licensing:  Certain trucks sizes require certain license requirements.  Make sure you have the correct license to drive the rental truck prior to your move.

Safety:  Always obey all traffic laws, whether Its using turn signals, obeying the speed limit, turning on headlights, using safety belt, etc.

Parking the vehicle:  Make sure you know where you can and cannot park to avoid getting a ticket. Certain places will not allow truck parking.

Insurance coverage;  Know what your personal insurance policy will cover in regards to your truck rental.  If the rental facility offers additional insurance (and they will) take it out if your personal insurance doesn’t cover your rental truck.  You don’t want to pay for an accident out of pocket.

Again allow yourself enough time when moving. It’s a good idea to have someone with you, especially if you’ve never driven a moving truck before.  Get to the rental facility early, and make sure you have all of your documentation, insurance coverage, license, etc ready and on hand.

When moving out of the country (international move, you want to make sure you are more prepared and be very organized to avoid any complications that may happen.  Here are some solutions to make your international move a success.

Hire a Professional International Moving Company

When you do an international move, your items will most likely be shipped via the ocean.  Your international moving company will place your items in an overseas container, which will be loaded on a ship by crane, usually with other containers.  There is a lot of shifting that will occur with the containers, so you want to make sure they are professionally packed to ensure they arrive in one piece.  Make sure to find out from the moving company, the amount of experience they have in international shipping and insurance options they have to offer for your move. 

Keep an open Line of communication

Make sure that you have some way to be reached during transit, or have a contact person for communication that your moving company can reach in case of emergency while you are in transit.  It’s good to keep a cell phone, landline, and have internet connection, that you will be available to communicate back and forth.

Make sure to be organized before your international move

If you have a full home to pack, it’s a good idea to be as organized as possible.  Inventory labels/Furniture labels ca can be used to identify contents of items, whether items are to be shipped or to go into a designated storage area.  Make sure you always (VERY IMPORTANT) keep necessary items with you such as passports, important documents, credit cards, wallet, money, medicine, expensive jewelry, etc.  Also remember most moving company will not package or ship hazardous items.

Allow yourself enough time for moving and travels

Try to schedule ahead of time with your moving company and plan your flight accordingly leaving enough time for transit.  Remember you may have to get medical clearance before entering another country for you or your children(or animals).

Make sure to do some research of the country you are moving to

Every country has different rules.  Make sure you know the rules for shipping and receiving when it comes to receiving your goods at your new destination like if you need to be present at time of delivery. Make sure you know what documents you will need to receive clearance from customs.  Know where you are going as far as your destination, and have a contact person, someone at your new location who may be able to help you.

When getting a quote from a moving company, there are some questions and/or comments you should probably avoid.  This doesn’t mean you have to tip toe around them and accept any quote you get, it means to exercise caution when interacting with your potential movers and understand how certain questions and/or comments are taken.  The following is a list of things not to say and how they can create a less cordial atmosphere.

1. “Everything I have is light”.  It still has to be handled and taken to the truck.  Don’t comment on the weight unless you have an item that is unusually heavy (safe, hot tub, armoire, etc).
2. “I don’t have that much stuff”.  That’s a relative term, just be accurate as possible.  Inaccuracy whether by mistake or on purpose will potentially cost you in the end.  Either you will have more charges or, at best, an unhappy crew (which you don’t want).
3. “Do you have any hidden charges”?  If they did, they’re not going to tell you, hence the word “hidden”.  Usually, if you ask someone if they are dishonest, you have offended them.
4. “Are your guys going to take a bunch of breaks and be slow and lazy”?  Just like with question #3, even if they are a bad mover, they are not going to tell you and run you off.
5. “Last time it took the last movers only a few hours to move, or I did my move in 2 hours”.  The moving company will probably ask “why don’t you call the last movers you used or do this move yourself?”  You are telling your mover that moving is easy, anyone (professional or not) can do it the same way.
6. 6.       “My move should only take you (#) of hours”.  You are telling the mover that you have as much (or more) expertise in calculating your move as they do, when you probably don’t.
7. 7.       “Is that the best you can do”?  Most movers aren’t going to haggle; it’s not a street bazaar or garage sale.
8. 8.       “Why do I have to pay for materials”?  Don’t kid yourself, you are.  Whether the move has an itemized list of charges or only a couple lump charges, the cost of materials will be recharged by the moving company.
9. 9.       “I’m not going that far”.  Distance in a move is only one component.  How much you have to move, what type of service, how much packing, and the access (logistics of the move at origin and destination) all play a role in determining the charges.  Just because you are moving across the street doesn’t mean its $50.
10. 10.   “I could even get a couple of your movers to do it on the side if you want”.  You are asking the mover to steal from the company.   This is not a good idea.

The common thread here is treating a potential moving company with respect.  If you don’t, and create an adversarial atmosphere, it could bite you in the end.  Do your research, check companies out and make a “value” based decision.  Price is one component but quality should not be forgotten either.  These tips should keep the tone friendlier when looking for a mover.

There’s right and wrong ways to move a refrigerator. Don’t do things the wrong ways like the photo below. Please be safe people.

You want to move your pets and don’t know the proper way to move them. Whatever you do don’t put them in a sealed cardboard box.

Two drunk guys deciding that they want to move a tree on a bike. Is it possible?

A cow got a little too excited and wanted to move in to this market. Crazy don’t you think, but good thing the Police came to the rescue.

Do you have neighbors who are loud, but don’t know how to get them to not be loud? How about taking this approach? Do you think it will work? Is it passive/aggressive?

This is quite a sight as church is being moved in Germany. No word on when the next church service will be or if the church members also moved with the church.

If you don’t want to move and create your own R.V. check out what this chinese couple decide to do. They converted their cargo van into a moving home. Impressive, and a very unique place to live. It will not be legal in the U.S so don’t get any ideas.