Whether you're moving, buying a couple large appliances or buying a number of supplies for a major home renovation project, it can be advantageous to rent a truck. Doing so can be a cost-effective way to get your items from Point A to Point B in a timely manner. If you're used to driving a standard-sized vehicle, it's important to take a little time to get acquainted with your rental truck. The representative at the rental company can go over the vehicle-specific details with you, but it's also valuable to keep a handful of universal tips in mind, including these three.

Follow Other Vehicles At A Greater Distance

Whenever you're behind the wheel of a truck, you need to remember to increase your following distance. Not only is the truck heavier than your vehicle and thus needs more space to come to a stop, but as you fill the back of the truck, it will cause the vehicle to take even longer to stop. The more room between you and the driver ahead of you, the better. The standard rule for following safely for regular vehicles is to leave a minimum of three seconds between you and the other driver. For trucks, you'll need to ensure that this interval is even greater, especially if the truck is full.

Ensure That Your Side Mirrors Are Adjusted Properly

Even if you're in a rush, don't just climb into your rental truck and start driving. It's important to first position your side mirrors to provide you with a high degree of visibility. When you're driving a car, you can get out of the habit of checking your side mirrors because you're able to see your blind spots by turning your head. Doing so is more difficult in a truck because of the box, so it's imperative that your side mirrors are angled correctly. Rental trucks typically have two-part mirrors on each side; the upper portion will provide you with a view of what's behind you and the lower one is positioned to help you see beside you.

Look For Opportunities To "Drive Through"

With a little practice, you can become familiar with backing up the rental truck. However, it's always ideal to look for opportunities in which you can drive through a certain area to avoid backing into it. For example, if you're concerned about backing into a driveway, consider simply parking on the street and unloading there. If you're in a shopping area, look for a parking spot you can drive through so that you won't have to back up.

To learn more, contact a truck rental company like Allard Rentals. 

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