Take an inventory of everything you'll be transporting, along with the dimensions of the packing material (e.g., boxes) they'll be traveling in. Keep in mind any cushioning or insulation requirements between certain freight or delicate items.
Now use those numbers to take a realistic look at the size of the truck you'll need. Remember that the bigger the truck, the more challenging it is for a non-professional to drive and control well, especially at the beginning.
Speak to people who've done this kind of move previously, and survey internet discussions. Remember to ask about things like the ease of loading and unloading the type of cargo you'll be carrying. Loading ramps, lift gates and lighting are a few things that can make a big difference.
Once you've settled on a truck size, find a truck type and the company you'll get it from.
In addition to cargo size, other factors include engine location (underseat or beneath a conventional hood), steering wheel position, fuel type, seat comfort and others.
Go to some local truck rental places and get a feel for their vehicles before picking one.
Pick your company. U-Haul, Budget, Penske, Enterprise and Ryder are just some of the well-established truck rental companies in North America. Search the internet for coupons or specials, make calls and get quotes.
Before picking the company, ask: What's the general reliability of their vehicles? Do they offer roadside assistance? What insurance options are available?
That last one can be important, since even many credit cards and car insurance companies that extend coverage to car rentals don't do the same for trucks.
Get a sense of the route, and sketch out several alternatives.
There's no way to predict what the weather will be across your entire route. Is it fire season? Snow season? Flood season? Do you feel comfortable on routes where there may be 100+ mile stretches between towns? How about driving up and down steep mountain grades? Answer these questions when planning.
Take a GPS unit -- but don't rely heavily on it.
GPS units are useful but fallible systems. Weather can interfere with some of the cheaper units. Computer chips, batteries, chargers and screens all fail. So take paper maps.
Pick up your truck in the morning, check the fuel and tire pressure and go!
Make sure you know the height of the truck, and that you're traveling a route without low overpasses or obstacles.
If you'll be going through tolls, make sure you've established the proper toll-paying procedure with the company.
At night, make sure that both the cab and cargo areas are locked, and keep your rental truck keys as close to your body as regular car keys.
