Rented Truck Driver
My Belongings Have Arrived!
I needed to move my belongings across the country and found it to be quite a daunting thing to orchestrate as I’m sure it is for many. Especially if you don’t have a lot of money or you’re moving due to unexpected circumstances as was the case for me. My dad had died suddenly, and I needed to be with my mom in Michigan to watch over her.
I drove my loaded Jeep out here by myself but there was no way I was going to attempt driving a 20’ loaded truck 2000 miles by myself (*even though Uhaul provided a very nice, comfortable, and easy to drive truck).
I had put all my belongings into storage in Arizona while I searched for a feasible and affordable way to make it happen. I finally pulled it off a couple of weeks ago and wanted to share my experience with an amazing service I found called Rented Truck Driver.
I was able to get it done for literally less than half the price of what I was being quoted by traditional cross-country movers! And without any of the negatives (and there are some pretty shocking negatives) that come with using those companies.
With Rented Truck Driver, the price they quoted me was exactly what I paid in the end, in fact, I received a small gas credit.
You pay in 3 installments:
1. The initial installment was to secure the contract and was paid via my credit card. This is the only payment that can be made via a credit card.
2. The second payment was made when the driver picked up my loaded Uhaul which I paid via Zelle. This is for the driver to pay for the gas, motels, etc. along his way so it goes directly into his bank account.
3. The third payment was made when he arrived with the truck at my house in Michigan which I paid via Zelle as well; plus I tipped him to show my appreciation. They offer a couple of different ways to pay installments #2 and #3.
When you secure the contract, they send you information and a little bio about your driver, which is very nice. They also send a copy of his Driver License so you can have him added as a driver for your rental truck. Their drivers are all professional, experienced drivers.
Prior to the scheduled move, he called and introduced himself and we chatted a little about the trip. Then 4 days prior to the move, the company sends a group text that includes you, the owner of the company, and the driver. This group message is to be used for all further communication as it’s monitored by the company.
The driver sends a text message every step of the way reporting when he fuels up, where he is, and when he stops to rest overnight. He also holds a key to your load and checks it along the way to make sure it’s secure and safe.
The process went as follows:
I flew to Phoenix and rented the Uhaul as that and the loading of the truck are the only parts you have to handle yourself. If you use Penske they offer an 11% discount, but you can use any rental truck company you prefer. I used Uhaul because I now live in a tiny town that only has Uhaul as a drop off location.
I had professionals load the truck for me, but you can load it yourself. The truck has to be loaded prior to the scheduled pick up by the driver.
I met the driver (a very nice man) who Uber’d to where I had the truck waiting and ready. He arrived with his suitcase, a backpack, and a clipboard. He confirmed everything with me, checked out the truck, and hit the road right on schedule.
The next morning I got on a plane and flew back to Michigan.
He communicated with me via text consistently throughout the trip and once via phone call when he was almost here, just west of us, and had to take shelter from a PDS tornado (Particularly Dangerous Situation). It went through the town he was currently stopped in for the evening and headed straight for us here (missed us as well thankfully) and he just wanted to let me know my things were safe. I was worried about ‘him’ and felt so bad for him having been put into a life-threatening situation, but he was so kind about it.
The next morning he arrived with my belongings, right on schedule to the minute and the day, safe and sound. I invited him in to rest and chat for a bit and then I drove him to the airport (which for us, is 45 minutes away). He got on a plane and flew home to Phoenix.
I’m forever grateful for this service and will always recommend them now. Here is the link to the company: https://rentedtruckdriver.com/
There is a CNBC article that was written about them a few years ago, here is the link if you’d like to read it: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/12/retirees-are-driving-for-dollars.html