Moving out of Colorado.

[BlasterBob]

Between now and mid-September, we will be moving from Trinidad, CO to Central Illinois (yeah, I know leaving Paradise moving to Hell -- [Sweat]
One of the largest of moving companies wants right at $10,000, yes, that"s ten thousand to move a three bedroom home plus the contents of my shed. So, now I am considering renting two of the largest of box trucks and make the move and drive ourselves. Am considering Pensky or UHaul. Which of these two are the best considering the condition of their vehicles, cost and Customer Service. Any REASONABLE responses will really be appreciated. THANKS.

[Great-Kazoo]

Take a look as PODS
http://www.pods.com/

OR
http://www.1800packrat.com/

We've moved 9x in 41 years. If it doesn't fit in the back of the pickups, or our trailers it's not going.

[Bailey Guns]

I feel your expensive pain, Bob. We haven't priced out a "come and pack it and move it" service yet because I'm sure it's outta reach. None of the PODS or similar type companies service our area. Our only option is the box truck route. I priced out a 26' U-Haul truck for the move to ID...about $1700 total give or take a bit. I priced U-Haul because there are many more places that rent them and pickup/dropoff is much more convenient.

[TheGrey]

Ugh. We did a cross-country haul. Very memorable.
If you're looking at doing it yourselves, I'd suggest Uhaul. Not only because of the prolific number f places to rent and drop them off, but because they have lower decks. I'd also suggest giving the trucks a really good look-over before you sign anything; will the AC still work going uphill?

I think they also a have a more comprehensive damage policy, and it looks like they have 24/7 roadside assistance.

[BPTactical]

Get all the valuables, critters and photos.




Road flare.



Easy move

[Limited GM]

I'm pretty sure you can get free quotes online. Having said that, Penske has always been cheaper for me. Also if you fill out the quote online, and then don't commit, someone will end up calling with a way better deal. Least they always have for me. In other words, don't book online.

[Ah Pook]

Sorry to see you moving, Bob. [Cry] Especially to IL.

I've seen pics of your sheds. 10k is a steal. [LOL]

Shop around. There has to be some better deals. I've done the UHaul moves and they can be a PITA.

That said, I need to go see some family in KY and TN. If you need a driver let me know.

[beast556]

Another vote for u haul there decks are lower like said before. When we packed up and moved from Los Angeles area it was 1500$ for a 26ft truck. Good luck with your move.

[blacklabel]

I'm pretty sure you can get free quotes online. Having said that, Penske has always been cheaper for me. Also if you fill out the quote online, and then don't commit, someone will end up calling with a way better deal. Least they always have for me. In other words, don't book online.

Definitely follow this advice. These guys have booking quotas to meet and will cut you a deal if you haggle.

[RonMexico]

Penske went above and beyond for my PCS out to FT Bragg. Their military discount is 20% off vs 10% for UHaul and the district manager authorized his team to give another 20% off to veterans. The Penske rep gave us 40% off !!!! It wiped out the fee for the car hauler, taxes plus they gave us one extra day for free! They earned a lifetime client and I will never use uhaul again.

[00tec]

Last time, I used Penske. Higher deck, but it got better mileage with the diesel than the big gas motors uhaul used. Diesel is lower than gas in many places as well. The truck was in better shape than the uhauls. I felt that the penske wasn't as gutless on hills.

[BlasterBob]

Thanks for all the responses so far. Told Pensky that I sure want the senior discount which immediately knocked 20% off. They offered an unlimited mileage deal and deal included a total of six days usage.
The Pensky quote from Trinidad to Peoria, IL came to $1081.00 and the discount brought it down to about $875. Of course they mentioned insurance would be added to that figure since only a few of the truck renters insurance companies will cover the truck and it's contents. I contacted my State Farm agent who advised that the truck and contents WILL be covered by S.F. and they will furnish a certificate for their coverage. Of course, I willhave to furnish all fuel for this one way trip and I believe these big 26-ft truck get around 8 - 10 MPG. Sure a lot cheaper than having a moving company do the move but we will have to do our own packing, loading, driving the 1,000 miles, unload and unpack. Sounds like a "no brainer" for us old folks.

[TheGrey]

This may be of help, in addition to your move:

http://www.collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/more-services/home-services/hourly-labor

[00tec]

You could also hire some local movers to load the truck for you, do the same to unload.

[TheGrey]

You could also hire some local movers to load the truck for you, do the same to unload.

That's what the link was that I provided. :) Great minds think alike.

[00tec]

That's what the link was that I provided. :) Great minds think alike.
Yeah, I was posting, then my ADD kicked in, came back, hit submit and saw yours.

[86k10]

Thanks for all the responses so far. Told Pensky that I sure want the senior discount which immediately knocked 20% off. They offered an unlimited mileage deal and deal included a total of six days usage.
The Pensky quote from Trinidad to Peoria, IL came to $1081.00 and the discount brought it down to about $875. Of course they mentioned insurance would be added to that figure since only a few of the truck renters insurance companies will cover the truck and it's contents. I contacted my State Farm agent who advised that the truck and contents WILL be covered by S.F. and they will furnish a certificate for their coverage. Of course, I willhave to furnish all fuel for this one way trip and I believe these big 26-ft truck get around 8 - 10 MPG. Sure a lot cheaper than having a moving company do the move but we will have to do our own packing, loading, driving the 1,000 miles, unload and unpack. Sounds like a "no brainer" for us old folks.

I am thinking more like 5-6 mpg max. U-hauls newest 24-26 ft truck will be no newer than 2008 due to them only running gas engines and they are all GMC which was last made in 2008. Penske will have a newer truck, approx no older than 4-5 years.

[00tec]

I am thinking more like 5-6 mpg max. U-hauls newest 24-26 ft truck will be no newer than 2008 due to them only running gas engines and they are all GMC which was last made in 2008. Penske will have a newer truck, approx no older than 4-5 years.
The Penske I drove got between 7 and 9 depending on terrain. I have a lead foot and came from east Texas to Denver up 287 and across Raton pass.

[bryjcom]

I had an awful time with Uhaul moving from IL to CO.

I was a 24 years old, packed my entire house into their biggest truck. Clicking down the road in western IL with my 5 year old son when the engine starts dropping cylinders. Can barely keep it over 60mph. I've got semi trucks passing me and my engine is stuttering... Found it stopped stuttering if I filled up with BP gas which was a lot more than your regular gas station gas. That worked great till Omaha, when there was no more BP stations west. Started stuttering again real bad and barely made it to town.

I go to drop it off and the idiot at the Loveland Uhaul says he's going to charge me for the cracked windshield which was already there when I picked it up in IL. Argued with the guy for a while telling him the truck was a piece of shit and it has serious engine problems and that there is NO WAY in hell that I'm paying for a windshield, especially after spending $700 in gas to get out here, which I bet was due to the engine trouble.

I ended up disputing the charges as soon as I got back to the car... Ended up paying for it but it will be the last time I rent a Uhaul

[ben4372]

Another vote for Penske. Lots newer truck, and was less expensive.

[def90]

Penske hands down.. UHaul F'd me out of a trailer again a couple weekends ago.. Last time I ever try to use them.

[Great-Kazoo]

The Penske I drove got between 7 and 9 depending on terrain. I have a lead foot and came from east Texas to Denver up 287 and across Raton pass.

Everyone forgets BB is going Downhill. he can coast in neutral till OhGollyG NE. Unless he takes the old highway system to IL.

[Richard K]

On our recent move to our winter home in Arizona I rented a Penske truck. With an AAA discount it was much cheaper than U-Haul. However, it was the worst truck I've ever driven and out of high school I hauled freight for a living and drove many different trucks. It would not do over 65 MPH and at 55 MPH it had a terrible shimmy that was felt in the steering wheel and the mirrors vibrated so badly that you couldn't see out of the them. It may have been a fluke but it not make the 900 mile drive very pleasant, MY advice would be to take any truck you rent on the highway before you load it up.
BTW: I paid $250 for two loading helpers to load in Colorado through Penske. I hired two helpers in Arizona through U-Haul to unload and it was cheaper. The only fly in the ointment in AZ was the helpers were both deaf and mute which made instructions on where to put things difficult.

[GunsRBadMMMMKay]

try getting uhaul to price match.......and yeah i definitely agree with giving any rentals a thorough inspection and making them sign on damage before you leave with it. I have had uhaul and ryder try to stick me with pre-existing damage but i got them to notate it before leaving in my paperwork. (last time i just got uhaul insurance its more money but they didn't seem to care about damage with it lol).

[Irving]

Fighting damage claims on rental cars is a nightmare! I hated handling those claims the most when I was in auto.

[dirtrulz]

I believe penske Swaps out their entire fleet every four years, no rental trucks older than that. They let us test drive and decide which truck we wanted. I worked for a shop that had a service agreement with uhaul. If you ever look under one of those trucks you would be scared. They do the very minimum maintenance required to keep them on the roads. We saw frames you could stick your finger through, uhaul just said make sure the brakes and lights work and put them back into the fleet. One was so bad the cab hit the box because the frame was bent. Uhaul spends a ton of money on the special frames and boxes that they run them until they are complete junk. The only thing that annoyed me about penske was their truck was governed to 62 mph. Penske gave us more days and didnt care about mileage and were half the price, just had to walk up a longer ramp. Sometimes you can rent ones with a liftgate, that would have been nice.

[zulu01]

Another vote for Penske. We have used them for several cross country moves. The trucks are typically much better condition than Uhaul and their customer service is far better. They also give a good discount with AAA.

[Bailey Guns]

I'll give Penske a closer look when we need to get the truck for the move. Might be worth the hassle of driving a bit further to pickup/drop off the truck.

[TheGrey]

Wow, there's a lot I didn't know about the shady world of Uhaul! My eyes have been opened.

[rbeau30]

Don't forget to apply for your card! That is an important part of the move.

https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/FOID.aspx

It's for the safety of the public don'cha know.

[Bailey Guns]

Ugh... Closest Penske drop off location to Lewiston, ID is in Spokane, WA....115 miles away. U-Haul it is. Plus UH gives 30 days storage free with truck rental. Price difference is negligible.

[Ready Room]

I'm using U-Haul myself on my move to FL. Have used them many times and very few issues.

[killianak9]

Another vote for Penske. Lots newer truck, and was less expensive.

I used them to move here from Florida 8 years ago. No issues and best price around.
FYI @ Penske,most of the trucks with the lift gates have the air ride chairs for the driver seat. Much better than the standard bench

Safe travels

[lostcolorado]

Another pod-like container option.

http://www.upack.com

[BlasterBob]

Many thanks for all the responses. Now I am just not looking forward to driving the empty Penske truck from Pueblo down to Trinidad to get it loaded up. Lot of work ahead of me!!!!

[Hotchef181818]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet try ABF UPack. Basically they drop a trailer at your house and you have s few days to load. They drive it where it's going then you have a few days to unload. 28' semi trailer Denver ~ Dallas was $2500. Rent a small uhaul trailer to tow valuables etc in.