Even though we are always trying to avoid having to move ourselves, often the circumstances, whether time or money, demand that we do. Not to worry, there are many places that rent moving trucks to help you from one home to another.

If you consider when you leave your home to go on vacation and that sinking feeling rises that you have forgotten something—left the iron on, the water running, etc—this same feeling when you are moving yourself is twofold. You have to make sure that you have left your old home in the condition that you said you would, that everything is securely on the truck, and that everything will be as it should be when you get to your new home.

Before Moving Day

Renting the Truck: There will be a walkaround by you and one of the rental company employees. You will be held accountable for any damage that is not written on this sheet. So be sure to note every little flaw.

Moving Music: Many moving trucks are only equipped with the barest essentials, often without a tape deck or CD player, sometimes even without FM radio. Check your particular truck and decide if you can travel that far without some good tunes or talk radio. Buying a small radio might be a good investment.

Truck Repair Kit: Buy some of your own windshield wiper fluid, anti-freeze or coolant, and oil. This truck will be pulling a heavy load and it might need more than just gas to get there.

Truck Rental: If you are towing a vehicle behind your rental truck, make sure the trailer you are pulling has a working tow package. This means that the brake lights, tail lights, blinkers, and trailer brakes are all in working order.

Driving Route: Before you even drive one foot, get your mind ready to be thinking about overpasses. This is a common problem with rental trucks as people are not used to looking for low clearance. If you go under a low clearance bridge that you will not clear, it will destroy the truck. And you will be left holding the bill.

One More Day: It is a smart idea to compare the pricing difference if you kept the truck one extra day. People often underestimate how draining the whole moving process can be, and if you are hurrying all day so that you can return the truck by five, you will most likely make extra work on yourself by not moving the right things to the right room. Find out what it would be worth to you to be able to take breaks, go at a nice pace, and take the truck back the next day. It could be such a small amount that it will be worth it to pay for the extra time and have the option to be tired and work smartly.

Smart Way to Pack: Pack the heavy stuff toward the front of the truck, i.e. the part of the truck closest to the cab. If you can, pack such that what you want to come off first is put on last. Also put anything that you may need to get to quickly, like overnight gear, right inside the door.

How to Park the Truck: If you are moving/traveling on multiple nights, make sure to park your truck smartly. Find a wall or a tree or some otherwise immovable place where you can back the truck right up close. This way, if someone happens to break into your truck, they won't be able to get many items out.

Padlock: Buy a lock so that you can secure the back door to your truck.

Unloading: Often rental trucks have a pullout ramp for loading and unloading. This ramp is narrow and typically made of aluminum. Be careful that you don't fall off either side when carrying heavy objects. Also, these ramps can become very slick if they even get a little bit wet. Carpet scraps and rags are great to minimize slipping.