If you own a small business that relies on transportation companies to deliver your goods periodically, it can be nerve wracking wondering if the firm you hire will get your products to their destination on time and if the goods will survive the trip unscathed. One way to take out the worry out of this process is to rent a truck and deliver the products yourself or to have one of your employees do the driving. Once you decide to take matters into your own hands, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure you use the truck efficiently and in a safe manner.
Include Accessories in Your Rental Budget
When you are ready to load and unload your goods, there are a few essential accessories that you will need to make things run smoothly. You can rent these accessories from the truck rental company and simply add them to your standing rental order.
Some rental companies also sell accessories to customers who prefer to own the items. These accessories include chains, hand trucks, pads and floor mats.
Chains may be required by your state for vehicles that exceed a certain weight on some roads or during a specific time of the year. Hand trucks are a must-have in order for you to move heavy boxes easily up and down the truck ramp. Pads and floor mats will help to prevent your items from getting scratched and dented during the trip.
In addition, depending on how you move cargo on and off the truck, you may need to purchase a specialty loading ramp made of heavy-duty steel or aluminum that you can attach when needed. Some ramps are foldable and can hold over a thousand pounds of weight.
Make sure that your loading dock is equipped with safety bumpers so you do not damage the truck that you rent when you back up to the dock. If you do not have a loading dock, purchase or rent a yard ramp to move your goods safely onto the truck via a dolly or forklift.
Purchase the Right Type and Amount of Insurance
Choosing insurance coverage is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when you rent a truck. Rental truck company employees can help you select the proper coverage based on what type of cargo you are transporting.
The most common types of truck rental insurance include:
LDW and PDW coverage will absolve you of some financial responsibilities if the truck is damaged or stolen during transport. With LDW coverage, you will still only be liable up to a certain amount, for example $1,000, and the insurance company will cover the rest. With PDW, you will have zero financial responsibility.
Your company's general liability and commercial auto insurance policies will cover some situations where you need protection from claims made by other drivers. However, you may need to augment that coverage with SLI by purchasing additional coverage from the truck rental company
Learn About Special Permits
Depending on what you are transporting, you may need to apply for a special permit, especially if you are moving goods like fruit or vegetables across state lines. Your truck rental firm may offer assistance to help you apply for these permits. However, you should contact your state's department of motor vehicles as well to find out if there are any restrictions in transporting your merchandise.
Once you have secured a truck to transport your merchandise, make sure that you and your employees learn how to secure cargo. Proper load securing is crucial to safety so the cargo does not shift during the trip and cause the truck to be unstable on the road. There are many online guides to help you learn how to pack cargo safely. In addition, ask the box truck rental company for tips as well.
Share30 August 2016
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