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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » ? about renting a moving truck

Oct. 19, 2011 1:53 p.m. eastsidemav HalfDork

Soon I'll be renting a truck to haul some things from SW Ohio to Missouri. I'm looking at getting a 10' box truck. The tricky part is I will be immediately returning to Ohio.

So, when I put the info in the websites of all the major rental places, they see I'm going to pick up/drop off the truck at the same place, and set it up with mileage charges, which would total over $1000 alone. I could not find a way to get "unlimited mileage" rates with this method.

Next, I set it up so I'd drop the truck off at my destination, and it comes up around $590-650, and I'd still have to find a way home.

Getting frustrated, I decided to try something. I set the pickup as near my home, then the dropoff as Indianapolis. It gives me unlimited mileage, plus cost about $260-280. Then, I pick up the exact same size truck from the Indy location and drive it home for $120, dropping it off where I started this adventure. Cost, only around $400, but thats something of a hassle..

I'm not trying to scam anyone, but they aren't giving me any options. Anyone know any rental places that you can pay in advance for unlimited mileage, and drop off in the same place you picked it up?
Oct. 19, 2011 2:01 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

I have seen rental cars give unlimited mileage but I did not think that rental trucks did unlimited miles.
This is the reason that I have overloaded some minivans in the past.
Oct. 19, 2011 2:07 p.m. eastsidemav HalfDork

jrw1621 wrote:

I have seen rental cars give unlimited mileage but I did not think that rental trucks did unlimited miles.
This is the reason that I have overloaded some minivans in the past.

Yeah, Budget, over a certain distance gives you unlimited mileage on their trucks. If I could stuff everything into a minivan, I'd do that. I really don't feel like hauling a box truck 1200+ miles round trip. This is one of the few times I regret getting rid of my old F150 extended cab longbed.

The additional budget killer on the one way rental was getting home. Rental cars are cheap, as long as you're dropping them off wherever you picked them up. Costs a lot more to drop them elsewhere.
Oct. 19, 2011 2:11 p.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

Rule #1...stay as FAR away from Uhaul as you can.

I used Penske and Budget and was pretty happy with them...and I'm pretty sure if you called and talked to them, they may be able to set you up with something like you're looking for.

However, it sounds like you have worked out about the best solution (short of calling and asking...).

Are you moving to MO? Where, if so?

Clem
Oct. 19, 2011 2:15 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

Sounds like you need to talk to them in person or on the phone and see if they have a way to alter the rental to make it work?
Oct. 19, 2011 2:17 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

If you go to the post office and ask for a change of address form there is a budget rental coupon inside good for 25% off weekday and 20% off weekend.
I used on over the summer.
Oct. 19, 2011 2:27 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

The car companies rent 15 passenger, full size vans for about $100 per day w/ unlimited. Unbolt seats and leave in your garage, deliver, rebolt, return.
Of course, if your load will fit?
Oct. 19, 2011 2:32 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

What happens if you pick up and drop off the truck from two different rental stores in the same town? Using U-haul as an example, there's one store a mile south of my house and a second store two miles north.
Oct. 19, 2011 2:38 p.m. eastsidemav HalfDork

stuart in mn wrote:

What happens if you pick up and drop off the truck from two different rental stores in the same town? Using U-haul as an example, there's one store a mile south of my house and a second store two miles north.

I tried that one, at least with budget, there appears to be a minimum radius. When I did that, it gave me 99 miles. I'm kind of assuming 100 miles is where they change over. And I did a little more checking - I can buy miles at 60 cents a mile ahead of time. Better then 79-86, but still pricey.

Headed to Springfield, to haul a bunch of my parents stuff there from here in Ohio. They've had a storage locker here for years since they left, and actually need some of the stuff in it now.

Will be avoiding Uhaul if at all possible. Right now, leaning towards playing games with budget, and having someone pick me up in Indy to get the rest of the way home.
Oct. 19, 2011 5:12 p.m. donalson SuperDork

if you've got a truck (or access to one) you can get a lot into a uhaul box trailer... could be an option...

but sounds like you've found the best loophole option :-/... I hate moving trucks given them far to much $$$ over the years
Oct. 19, 2011 7:03 p.m. integraguy SuperDork

Moved Tn. to Fl. in January and at the advice of folks here, I went with Budget. Budget will give you unlimited miles that will cover your expected travel point A to point B plus a little extra. A similar problem to what you are trying to work around here is that Budget will charge (I suppose the others will too) for a certain TIME. That is, I can drive the 750 miles Tn to Fl in 2 days, and unload or load in less than a day, but there is no incentive to return the truck early. Just as well, as I really was beat.

BTW, I rented a 12 foot truck, but when I went to pick it up there weren't any available, so I got a 16 foot truck for the cost of a 12. Downside? If I had known I was getting a 16 foot truck for "free", I might have towed my car behind it.
Oct. 19, 2011 7:06 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

if you are saving that much... consider a one way plane or train ticket back?
Oct. 19, 2011 7:12 p.m. pigeon Dork

eastsidemav wrote: This is one of the few times I regret getting rid of my old F150 extended cab longbed.

Rent this?
Oct. 19, 2011 7:13 p.m. nocones HalfDork

Funny story when we moved we rented the 26 foot diesel from penske. They gave us unlimited miles and four days to make a 7 hour move. Sure enough when they say unlimited miles they mean it. What should of been a 400 mile trio ended up as a 1200 mile one.

Go with penske they rock
Oct. 19, 2011 11:35 p.m. oldopelguy Dork

I have on several occasions rented a Penske truck somewhere along the way, made a round trip, and returned it at home. All you need is a friend to drop you off.

Trick is to look for a small town and large town near you and compare the rates both directions. Sometimes they have a surplus or shortage at one or the other and the rate is significantly cheaper. My move from SC to MN was actually accomplished with three trucks and 3 trips, one from SC to SD via MN, one from SD to MN via SC, and one from SC to IA via MN and SD.

All three 26' trucks were rented online and driven loaded for over 1200 miles, each for under $300 total. One leg was 3 days with unlimited miles and under $160 because of the time of year and direction.
Oct. 20, 2011 7:28 a.m. eastsidemav HalfDork

May have a solution - need to make a phone call to confirm, but apperently enterprise will rent a cargo van with unlimited miles. If so, I'll do this, and risk not getting everything they want in one trip. I don't have tons of spare time, so it'd be nice not to have to game the system just to get a fair rate.
Oct. 20, 2011 7:39 a.m. Ranger50 Dork

donalson wrote:

if you've got a truck (or access to one) you can get a lot into a uhaul box trailer... could be an option...

but sounds like you've found the best loophole option :-/... I hate moving trucks given them far to much $$$ over the years

BTDT. Took a 5x8 U-junk trailer to go get some stuff from my parents house in MI once. A one way rental was in the neighborhood of $140 for 3 days of use. But if I did an "in-town" rental, it was like $45 for the same three days. Guess which one I chose?

The only thing that really sucks is the gas mileage pulling that damn trailer. Wife's Avalanche got 15mpg with an empty trailer, normally 17-18mpg not towing anything, going up and 15 coming back fully overloaded. They pull for E36 M3. I get better mileage pulling my 24' trailer with a car on it then one of those little bastards.
Oct. 20, 2011 11:29 a.m. cwh SuperDork

I will say ONE positive thing about U-Haul, and that is that their trailers are tough. Tough= heavy. Their car trailers probably weigh 2-3000 pounds. You won't break one.
Oct. 20, 2011 5:22 p.m. eastsidemav HalfDork

Well, looks like its Enterprise. Got a cargo van for $50 a day unlimited mileage, although I think I'll get a small discount for my aaa membership. I hope it can haul enough junk.

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