Work at Home – Pros and Cons

3 Features To Look For When You Shop For A Moving Truck

by Jared Butler

If you are like most people facing an upcoming move, you might be more concerned about your checking account balance than you are about your personal comfort on moving day. Unfortunately, if you book a moving truck without a few little luxuries, that journey might be a little more of a hassle. Here are three features to look for when you shop for a moving truck, and how they can make your move less stressful:

1: A Lift Gate

Are you trying to figure out how you and your wife are going to get that grand piano into the back of your moving truck? It isn't always easy to lift heavy objects into moving vans, especially if you don't have a lot of help. If you aren't exceptionally strong or careful, you might end up damaging heavy furniture or electronics.

Fortunately, moving truck manufacturers have developed a solution for this common problem. Hydraulic lift gates, also called tail lifts, are fixed to the back of some moving trucks, allowing the user to simply slide heavy items onto a platform and use controls to move it level with the back of the truck. Lift gates are exceptionally sturdy, and some are even capable of lifting 2500 kilograms, or over 5,000 pounds.

When you call around to find a moving truck, ask if any of the available vehicles are fixed with lift gates. After a small tutorial, you might be able to heft heavy bookshelves and expensive instruments into the back of your truck with the greatest of ease.

2: Attic Storage

Have you ever noticed that some moving trucks have an extra storage area that sits directly over the top of the cab? These areas are referred to as "attic storage," or a "mom's attic." Although this space might seem unimportant, it is actually one of the most stable areas in the entire truck. Because this section sits directly over the cab and the front suspension, attic storage is protected from the shock and jostles that accompany travel. Here are a few things you can use attic storage for:

  • Dishes: Are you worried about those dishes clanking together during the journey? If you don't have room inside of the cabin for that antique china, keep it in your attic storage.
  • Boxes You Need to Keep Track Of: Nothing is more frustrating than trying to keep track of important boxes filled with tomorrow's clothing, financial records, or prized children's toys. However, because your attic storage sits separately, you can use it to store special items.
  • Electronics: Hitting a pothole might be a fun surprise for your children, but it could spell trouble for your electronics. Tiny connections and delicate motherboards can become damaged if they are shaken, which is one of the reasons the smooth, stable interior of attic storage is perfect for television sets, stereos, and computers.

Since attic storage is typically open, you can also use the space to store extra long objects like wood, playground set poles, or long storage tubes.

3: An Automatic Transmission

Unless you drive a 15-passenger van everyday, it might be difficult for you to suddenly make the switch to navigating a moving truck. Unfortunately, if you also opt for a manual transmission, you might find yourself trying to work the clutch and stick-shift in addition to parking in that small space.

To simplify your driving experience, ask for a moving truck with an automatic transmission. In addition to freeing up one of your hands and feet, automatic transmissions might also make it easier to concentrate on the road—so that your family stays safe.

By booking the right moving truck, you can discover more here and take some of the guesswork out of your relocation and enjoy the experience.  

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