Moving long-distance can be overwhelming, especially when you are moving all of your belongings in a large box truck and towing a car hauler, such as those found at Route 12 Rental Co Inc., behind you to transport your vehicle. If you are planning your first long-distance move in a truck rental and towing a car hauler, here are a few important things to consider as you plan your route.
Navigating
Take a close look at all the roadways and streets and do not consider taking routes that have tight corners, underpasses, and/or road construction that will be difficult or impossible to navigate through. You can find height restrictions for the tunnels and underpasses on your route, as well as current and planned road construction projects, by going to the Department of Transportation website for each state you will be driving through.
Seeing
Seeing comfortably while driving is very important when going long distances. One thing that is sometimes missed in the planning stage is the placement of the sun and how the sun will affect your vision and ability to see the roadways. This is extremely important when it comes to driving large and heavy vehicles, especially when you are also towing a trailer. The braking distances are longer in heavier and larger vehicles than what you are used to with a car or smaller truck. Consider the placement of the sun and whether or not your route will have you facing directly into the sun at certain parts of the day. Plan your trip to avoid those times.
Parking
There's no doubt you'll need to take a few breaks along the way, especially if you are going a considerable distance. It's important to take advantage of information and maps you can find on the Internet and/or your GPS and plan the exact locations of where you will stop based on parking availability for your extra-long vehicle (box truck and car hauler). Look for parking that will allow you to pull in and pull out without having to back up.
Sleeping
It's important to get plenty of rest during your trip. According to the National Sleep Foundation, being awake for 18 hours is the equivalent to being legally drunk with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. Whether you plan on staying at a hotel to get some rest or plan on catching some zzz's in the cab of the truck, of course you'll be concerned about your possessions and your vehicle while you sleep. However, don't let that deter you from getting much-needed snooze-time. Make sure you park under ample lighting to help deter theft and criminal activity.
Hydrating
Be sure to drink water and other fluids. Loughborough University conducted a study that revealed that dehydrated drivers make the same amount of mistakes as drunk drivers. This is important to know because many people try to drink less fluids when they drive long distances so they don't have to stop for bathroom breaks often. Another important thing to know and understand is that your body is already dehydrated when you start to feel thirsty. Feeling thirsty if is your body's way of telling you that you are dehydrated.
Fueling
It's also important to consider where and when you will fill up your gas tank along the way. Given the length of the vehicle and hauler, you won't have as narrow of a turning radius as you may be used to. As you plan your route, look for gas stations that cater to the big rigs that you'll be sharing the roadways with. Truck stops are your best bet for finding gas pumps with enough room around them to maneuver the truck and trailer.
Share16 November 2015
After my old car finally bit the dust, I knew that I needed something that would last for another 20 years or so. Instead of heading out to buy a car right away, I spent a lot of time doing my research. I test drove several different vehicles and I even checked consumer reporting agencies to see which vehicle had the best trade-in value. After I found a car that I felt comfortable with, I did my best to argue down the price. This blog is all about finding a great car and negotiating a great deal so that you don't have to deal with buyer's remorse later.