Hiring a Truck & Moving Cities

Moving house can really take it out of you, but moving cities is on a whole other level of stress. Hiring a truck and going down the DIY route is a great way to reduce the hassle and save a bit of money, but there are a few things you should think about first.

1. Book in advance. If you’ve got a few months’ notice, book a moving truck as soon as you can, just in case every other man and his dog decides to move house that day too.
2. De-clutter. Do a big clear-out before you start packing, and only take what you really need to your new house. And be brutal about it. The less you have to move, the less it will cost to move, and the less you’ll have to find new homes for! Hire a skip to get rid of any rubbish, donate high-quality goods to your local op shop, and host a garage sale.

   
   

   
   

   

3. Driver’s license. If you’re renting a truck, you need a valid driver’s license. Depending on the size of the truck, you might also need an endorsement. There is usually an age limit too, so always check with your hiring company about their driving requirements before signing on the dotted line.
4. Auto or manual? Many trucks have manual gear boxes, so make sure you’re comfortable driving a manual – especially if you’re travelling long distances. If you’re not, ask for an automatic option.
5. Truck size. There’s nothing worse than moving house, only to find that your stuff doesn’t fit in the truck. Ask your rental company for advice on what size might suit your needs best. Cross Country Rentals can estimate how many rooms can be packed into each truck, and with lots of different sizes available there’s an option for everyone.
6. Insurance. When you hire a truck, automobile insurance is normally included in the hire price, and a reputable rental company like Cross Country Rentals won’t have any hidden costs, but will be very transparent about what their insurance covers. However, think about your precious cargo too. Before turning the key in the ignition, check with your current house and contents insurance provider that you’ll be covered in transit, or if you need to buy additional insurance.
7. Other equipment. Trollies, tie-downs, blankets and padding will come in handy, especially if you’re travelling long distances or have heavy furniture. Cross Country Rentals hires out a range of extras – just ask when you make your booking.  Think about packing boxes well in advance too; start collecting them from a supermarket or purchase them from a homewares company. Extra hands will always come in handy, so think about asking your family if they’re available to help too.
8. Additional costs. Most truck rentals will ask you to pay for any combination of bond, insurance, road miles and gas on top of the rental price, so factor that into your budget.
9. Dropping off the truck. Because Cross Country Rentals has depots all over New Zealand, you can hire a rental truck in one city and drop it off in another. Even if there isn’t a depot near your new place, we also have partners in other parts of the country so there’ll be a drop-off point near your place.
10. The journey itself. Every road trip needs snacks, so stock up before you leave. Make sure you’ve got plenty of water on board (both for drinking and for the radiator – just in case), and schedule lots of stretch breaks. If you’re going to be driving for hours at a time, be aware of fatigue, and stop for a power nap if you need to. Most of all, enjoy the journey! Moving house might be stressful, but it’s also very exciting.

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