Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Safely

A moving truck is not hard to drive, but it behaves differently from a car in ways that matter most at the worst moments: when you brake, when you back up and when something overhead is lower than you think. The points below summarize what the rental company’s own truck instructions emphasize, in our words, with the reasons behind them. Read the instructions for the specific truck you receive before you drive.

Before you leave the lot

1. Find the weight label Every rental truck has a label on the driver’s door post with its gross vehicle and axle weight ratings; the load must stay within them.
2. Learn the height Note the clearance height. Overhead obstructions are often not posted; if you are unsure, stop and check before driving under.
3. Set mirrors and seat There is no rear window view; mirrors are all you have. Adjust them before moving.
4. Stow the ramp Confirm the loading ramp is fully stored and latched before driving off.

On the road

A loaded truck takes much longer to stop than a car. Drive below the speed you would choose in a car for the same road, leave a long gap to the vehicle ahead and brake early. On long downhill grades, slow down and use a lower gear rather than riding the brakes. Slow down well before curves and exits, and more in wind, rain or construction zones; a tall box catches crosswinds.

If the truck is pushed off its line by wind, a passing vehicle or a rough road, the rental instructions say to ease off the accelerator rather than steering hard or braking. If a wheel drops off the pavement, do not brake: slow down gradually below about 25 mph, then steer back onto the road gently and rejoin traffic carefully.

Height, backing and parking

U-Haul publishes clearance heights of 9 ft for its 10 ft truck, 11 ft for the 15 and 20 ft trucks and 12 ft for the 26 ft truck. Drive-through lanes, gas-station canopies, parking garages, motel overhangs, balconies, eaves, tree limbs and wires are the usual hazards, and many are not posted. Plan fuel stops and overnight parking with room to pull through.

Backing up is where the blind spots of a box truck matter most. Use a helper who stands where you can see them and who stays out of the truck’s path; if no one is available, get out and walk around the back first. When parking, set the parking brake firmly before putting the transmission in park, and turn the wheels toward the curb when facing downhill and away from it when facing uphill.

Load and people

Load the heaviest items first, at the front and on the floor, and keep the load tight so it cannot shift; a partial load should be tied near the front. Never let anyone ride in the cargo area. Do not load gasoline, propane, paint thinner or other flammables — even an almost empty container — and drain fuel from mowers and stoves before loading.

Fatigue is the risk people underestimate on a long move. Do not drive drowsy, avoid night driving where you can, and plan daily distances with rest stops rather than a fixed number of hours behind the wheel. If you feel sleepy, stop; caffeine and an open window are not a substitute for rest.