Deciding whether or not renting, leasing, or buying a truck for your business is the right choice can be difficult. Perhaps you take pride in owning your own fleet equipment and the control that it provides. Maybe there is an upcoming project that requires a specialty truck that won’t serve you in the future. Whatever the reason that has you considering renting, there are a lot of advantages, including:

• Truck rental requires minimal upfront costs as opposed to purchasing a truck.
• Term agreements can be set as short or as long as needed to accommodate your business’ timeframe, seasonality, and growth.
• Renting a commercial truck when you will only need one on occasion is much more budget-friendly than buying one.
• The rental option can be a useful “test run” for deciding on specific features when expanding your fleet.
• A temporary rental can help prevent downtime when one of your normal trucks is in the shop for a repair or experiencing other problems.
• Truck rentals come with 24/7 roadside assistance, giving your business peace of mind.

With a commercial truck rental, you can choose from a wide variety of trucks, trailers, vans, and tractors. Custom rental options offer flexibility that can be tailored to fit your truck needs and budget.

Evaluating the type of equipment you need to rent is a very important step, whether it is a 10-ton truck, stake bed, or a refrigerated truck. Of course you want the right one to get a job done efficiently and cost effectively, but where do you start?

A few key points to consider include size and loading requirements, safety features and driver comforts. Considering each of these factors will help you choose the type of truck needed. For example:

• Are your items temperature sensitive? If so, it’s worth considering a refrigeration truck, especially when traveling in warm weather.
• Should you use a ramp or lift gate? This can make loading and unloading easier, especially if you’re working with heavy cargo.
• What distances will your drivers be traveling? For long distance hauls, it’s worth investing in safety features and upgrades that keep your driver comfortable.

Considering how the different vehicles are used can help you make an informed decision.

• Refrigeration Truck: Great for hauling goods that require precise temperature control, a refrigeration truck will help you deliver the freshest products possible, whether you’re moving them across town or across the country. Refrigeration models include the panel van, as well as larger trucks in 16 ft. to 24 ft. lengths.
• Stakebed Truck: Available in 12 ft., 16 ft., and 24 ft. lengths, the stakebed truck is ideal for transporting large items and supplies that do not require being protected from the elements. The cargo area resembles fencing, hence the name. Most stakebed trucks feature a liftgate, and depending on the size and model, are designed to haul loads weighing between 5,000 and 26,000 lbs.
• Box Truck: Offers lots of hauling versatility and available in various sizes. This truck has a box-shaped cargo area and a separate cab area. Box trucks with a light duty capacity can haul between 5,000-7,500 pounds, while medium and heavy duty versions can haul between 9,000 and 25,000 The different trucks that fall into this category also vary in lengths and may include additional features such as built-in shelving and ramps, side doors, and loading areas with hinged or roll-up doors.
• Transit Van: Ideal for smaller jobs, the transit van is equipped with wood tie slats for securing cargo and a durable, easy to clean metal floor. The large rear doors and high roof makes loading and unloading stress-free for your crew. Additionally, the cab comes with several perks such as comfortable seating, AC, automatic transmission, and power brakes, all of which your driver will appreciate. Designed to support up to 3,500 lbs., the transit van is great for hauling those smaller loads.
• Tractor: Tractors come in single axle, tandem axle, and sleeper cab models. If you need a piece of equipment that will fulfill a variety of heavy-duty hauling needs that also equips your driver with sleeper options for those over-the-road jobs, a tractor may be the perfect option.

Here are the top four characteristics to look for when deciding what commercial vehicle you need. Most likely you already know how the truck will be used but remember to consider the following before signing a rental agreement.

1. Hauling Requirements: Consider all the details after you determine the type of goods you’ll be transporting. In addition to load size and weight, climate control requirements, and features for loading and unloading are part of this assessment.
2. Cab Size: Your driver will likely be spending several hours in the truck and may even have a passenger on occasion. Make sure the cab is adequately sized for the crew and equipped with sleeping accommodations, if necessary.
3. Safety Features: Nowadays, vehicles are equipped with several safety features, which help keep your driver safe. Examples include collision avoidance & lane departure systems, blind-spot monitoring, back-up camera and video monitoring.
4. Driver Perks: Anyone knows that several hours behind the wheel can be draining, especially if comfort levels are sub-par. Most rental vehicles are newer models and equipped with perks like air conditioning, radio with Bluetooth connection, and comfortable, quality seating,

Looking For the Right Truck Rental

Whether you’re completing a special project or temporarily expanding your fleet for a high volume season, renting the right type of truck can be very beneficial. Renting a truck relieves you of the financial burden of buying one while allowing you to free up capital for other business needs.

Suppose U Drive has been helping clients with their trucking needs for over eighty years. If you’re looking into short-term rentals, our experts can get you in the perfect truck for the job. Contact us today at (213) 214-3623