Moving truck advice
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From: central TX
Moving truck advice
Some friends just got married and will be moving to the Denver area in a couple weeks. They have asked to hire me to drive a load up for them and I'm researching different options. They have a lot of stuff, so the bigger the better.
My options so far are Uhaul and Penske, both 26 ft.
Uhaul has lower deck height, is just slightly cheaper and has a bit more room for the same size (thanks to the attic I assume) about 100 cu ft. The problems I see are that only gas engines are available. This thing will be packed to the gills and I'm not sure how the gasser will like going up mountains.
Penske is higher up for loading, but will have a flat floor. Diesel is a big plus, prob save in fuel too. Also about 1K lbs more capacity (no idea if this will come into play).
I'm leaning towards Penske. Any advice?
Any advice on getting some music in it? My phone has a decent MP3 player, but can't find an Fm modulator for it. Only AM/FM radio in either truck. I need some music.
My options so far are Uhaul and Penske, both 26 ft.
Uhaul has lower deck height, is just slightly cheaper and has a bit more room for the same size (thanks to the attic I assume) about 100 cu ft. The problems I see are that only gas engines are available. This thing will be packed to the gills and I'm not sure how the gasser will like going up mountains.
Penske is higher up for loading, but will have a flat floor. Diesel is a big plus, prob save in fuel too. Also about 1K lbs more capacity (no idea if this will come into play).
I'm leaning towards Penske. Any advice?
Any advice on getting some music in it? My phone has a decent MP3 player, but can't find an Fm modulator for it. Only AM/FM radio in either truck. I need some music.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Duff, Tn.
I've rented big u-hauls before both 26 footers gas and diesel. If your gonna go through the mountains go with penske, u-hauls have NO pulling power whatsoever! The only down fall I see about the Penske truck is It'll be topheavy, but probably not to bad though. Hope this helps JOE
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From: Lafayette, IN
Both times that I have driven 26' Uhauls, there were International diesels, but had no ***** when loaded. At least they were 5-speeds. The first one was speed-governed to 60...that really bit on the interstate. You would have to call the Uhaul place you'd be renting from to find out what exactly they have...the website only lists the gas autos. I drove a Penske auto once in-town once for a friend. I think it was a diesel, I just don't remember. Definitely didn't have any trouble getting it there, but it did have a lousy turning radius.
Jason
Jason
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From: central TX
I can deal with turning radius, but thanks for the info. Looking like it will be Penske. the last Uhaul I drove was an E series chassis with the V10. It felt gutless even unloaded and around here, couldn't imagine loaded down and at 10X+ altitude and climbing. The bigger/newer trucks seem to be GMC medium duty trucks. Not sure of the engine, but I called a store and the guy seemed to think they were all gassers.
Penske seems to have a little better reputation too.
Penske seems to have a little better reputation too.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
This is a case where I firmly believe that you will get what you pay for. Go Penske. I have rented UHaul twice before and regretted it both times. UHauls equipment is substandard, lacking maitnence and repair. They rented me a truck last time that I firmly believe should have been out of service and I was hesitant to take it on a 45 minute move much less across state lines.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Williamsburg, VA
If you haven't seen this yet, you might want to check it out. It's in the trailer forum. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...disasters.html A lot of people have had some bad experiences with U-haul. Most of them citing problems with trailers, but some mentioning the trucks also. Seems U-haul is too big to maintain all their vehicles in a safe condition and renters suffer because of it. I personally rented a truck a couple years ago and found out half way to my destination that the brake lights weren't working. Luckily someone told me before I was rear-ended. I swapped some fuses around on the side of the road and then finished my move. I haven't rented a Penske truck in about ten years, but I remember I didn't have any problems with it. That would be my choice if I had to use one.
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From: Kansas City, MO
Last time i rented a 26' Uhaul, the truck was at least 20 years old and had over 500,000 miles on it. I barely made it across town fully loaded. My vote would be for Penske, they usually don't have anything over 5 years old, thats why you see so many used straight trucks that used to say penske on them.
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From: Leamington, Ontario
Go penske for sure, don't even think about u-haul. Every u-haul truck around here looks like its about 87 years old and like its about to fall apart. I looked into a u-haul once and they said if it broke down they would get a truck out as soon as possible but couldn't guarentee anything (i asked because i saw the truck), penske said they would send a truck right out, and get me taken care of.
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From: central TX
In all fairness, the V10 I drove...let's just say if the engine was treated how the rest of the truck looked, I'm surprised it was running at all.
Reserved a Penske earlier today, got it cheaper than the Uaul in the end.
$630+ for 6 days and unlimited miles. Pickup/drop off are about 10 miles away from my starting and end points. Works for me. Just need some music. Might end up taking my boom box...
Thanks guys. I was going to get a Uhaul trailer to tow behind it, but they only want you doing 55 MPH with them...not gonna happen.
Reserved a Penske earlier today, got it cheaper than the Uaul in the end.
$630+ for 6 days and unlimited miles. Pickup/drop off are about 10 miles away from my starting and end points. Works for me. Just need some music. Might end up taking my boom box...
Thanks guys. I was going to get a Uhaul trailer to tow behind it, but they only want you doing 55 MPH with them...not gonna happen.
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From: central TX
Went to look at them earlier today. Getting either a Hino or an International turbo diesel...with a CD player! The guy said he would do his best to make sure we had some music. Got one of my buddies going with me now, gonna take the week off and stay a couple extra days.
These guys seemed great and the trucks looked to be in really nice shape. Uhaul has some 75 mph rated trailers now, probably getting one of those too.
These guys seemed great and the trucks looked to be in really nice shape. Uhaul has some 75 mph rated trailers now, probably getting one of those too.
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From: Elk Point; Alberta
DO NOT RENT A U-HAUL. I've been STUPID enough to do this three times. Time one they showed me a nice new truck and then gave me a motorized chuck wagon at pick-up. It had to be towed after three blocks due to a blown rearend which "mysteriously" had no fluid in it. Time two the truck caught fire due to improper dash wiring. Time three I drove into a cop car at a inspection site when the brakes decided to retire. All 3 times insurance deemed the issue mechanical failure combined with lack of proper maintenance as the cause. All 3 times U-HAUL tried to sue me for damages.
Rent one if you want but remember --- STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
Rent one if you want but remember --- STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
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