Penske Truck Ins and Outs (Uhaul, MPG, rental, trucks)

[ottomobeale]

Hope this helps some people to NOT make the mistakes I made...

Penske ins and outs.
26' and 22' are diesel. 16' and 12' are gas.
I filled a 26' and towed a 9' uhaul behind it. 9.4 MPG on one with 80K mi.
I 3/4 filled a 2nd truck (welcome to having a family) and got only 9 MPG as the truck was not broken in and had like 1200 mi on it.
The small trucks are gas and get like 6 MPG. I had a friend who used one.

Penske truck prices move like the stock market depending on demand. June 8 2005 the price was $2200. June 17 when I had my move date was $4200! yikes. Wish I had known you get 2 free date changes. We were only waiting to find our final move date.

If you get the 22 or 26 learn trucker ediquette. Once filled up and paying PULL THRU so the guy behind you can fill up.

Driving a 26' truck is easy but far more commanding of your intention. A truck is not a Porche. It takes forever to speed up and slow down. Driving a 26' truck and a 9' trailer is a PITA. Backing up with a trailer is... um "interesting." A 9' trailer turns much faster than a 26' truck so keeping them straight is "fun"

A chase car can make lane changes easier. My wife followed behind. I would signal. She would pull out into the intended lane preceding me and block the lane from peeps who always seemed to want to get into my intended lane only when I needed to change lanes or get off an exit. Mostly stay in the slow lane. You will only have to go slow this trip. Deal with it and generally keep out of the fast lane.

Most truck stops are not called truck stops. They are called "Travel Centers" My favorites were Flying J and Travel America.

LEARN WHICH STATES HAVE THE HIGHEST FUEL TAX!!!! Fill up in the state preceding if possible. Sometimes 20 center PER GALLON! PLAN YOUR TRIP!

26000 lbs limit is rigidly enforced in some states. The truck weighs 13000 before you load it.

You have a high vehicle. Dont cause damage by hitting stuff you wont hit with a car. (didnt do this one myself but the first truck was scraped to heck up top)

[Katie1]

Thanks for the tips...Ill need them when I move next yr!!!

[Katie1]

How much did it cost to rent... how far... how long?

[Bydand]

The earlier you reserve the cheaper it is also. I reserved mine 4 months in advance and for a 1600 mile trip it was under $800 for a 26 footer. Another thing that makes a chase car even better is if you both have two-way radios, that way you can pass the time with conversation and tell each other when you want to change lanes ahead of time and when it is clear for the truck even if the car couldn't get over, or you have to use different lanes through a toll booth or something.

[Katie1]

I call for a general price for next yr move they tell me call when date closer...How close...no answer...

[bcfarmlady]

I have a 26' Penske on reserve now for a move next month. I reserved it on 3/15 for 5/9 but will be pusing it out to end of month. The cost from Florida ( mid east coast ) to Kentucky ( south central ) is $1578.45.

[Katie1]

Thanks that does help...moving from Martinsburg WV to Jacksonville FL hopefully March 2009!!! Acording to MAPQUEST about 800 to 900 miles!!

[ottomobeale]

2 other tips
Penske has (had?) 2 discounts.
AAA and internet reservation. I got both and it was not a small discount. It was still a smackdown when the price near doubled. 3 years on I am STILL paying for that relo.

IF you are moving to an area that borders another state or two, check out rates for dropping off in the other state. The Penske prices are driven by demand. It might work. It might not, too.

Gave ya rep points Bydand for the radio thing. YOU ARE CORRECT SIR! We had them and they were excessively useful.

I now understand why truckers and auto drivers dont get along. The 2nd trip I didnt have the chase car. Im in the slow lane to get off... Clearly signalling Im getting off. like 3 times cars CROSSED THE SOLID LINES to pass right of me making getting into the exit difficult. I seriously wanted to run those *&^%$# off the road!

[sean98125]

If you're on a cross-country trip, head into town to buy gas instead of buying it right off the off-ramp. I've found that gas stations a few blocks down the main drag from the interstate are a nickel or a dime cheaper per gallon.

If you have a Costco or Sams membership, know where their gas stations are located along your route. Fill up there as often as you can.

[WitchDoctor]

Rental truck rates change based on where the trucks are. Bcfarmlady, if you had moved out of FL in the winter, you probably could have paid $399 for the same truck. Katie, you should find good rates for your move since it is southbound in the spring.

I do not recommend that anyone in a large truck just go wandering around town looking for cheap fuel. Unless you know the area, there are all sorts of bad things that could happen. (Vertical or horizontal clearance issues, crime, wheight limits on bridges, etc.)