Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on renting trucks or trailers, like U-Haul or Home Depot, specifically for transporting sheet goods. I've had quite a few frustrating experiences, like arriving to find the trailer I reserved wasn't available, or waiting a long time for someone to connect it. Honestly, I never seem to get a pickup done in under 30 minutes, which is super annoying. With Home Depot, their online booking is a hassle since it only shows specific times and often directs me to different locations. It's not something I do often, but it's always a pain! Any tips or tricks to make this process smoother would be greatly appreciated!
6 Answers
I've been renting from Lowe's because it's closer for me, and I've had pretty good luck. They don't have online booking, but both times I've needed a truck, they had one available. They have these big 3/4 ton trucks that work great! Just keep in mind that if you're going during peak times like Saturday, it might take an extra 20 minutes or so. If you're worried about availability, you can always try renting the truck before getting your materials and check in advance. As for trailers, I drive a small car so it's not really an option, but I’ve seen others break down sheet goods in the parking lot. Just a thought!
My experience with U-Haul has been pretty decent. I rented a cargo van because it fits a 4x8 sheet perfectly, but the mileage charges can add up. I’ve also rented a trailer, which is easier to handle, but I definitely need more practice backing it up! I’ve seen folks cutting plywood right there in the parking lot, which is an interesting solution too!
If you find yourself needing a trailer regularly, it might be worth investing in a 5x8 trailer. It’ll definitely save you money in the long run if you're picking up supplies frequently!
You might not need full sheets at all! I always ask them to cut my sheets down to size right in the store, which helps a lot. That way I can fit them in my vehicle without any hassle. You should definitely give that a try!
I had a bad experience renting a U-Haul once for sheet goods. While the pickup was fine, I was shocked at how expensive it was—around $140 for just a couple of hours and about 30 miles! I think I'm just going to start asking friends with trucks if I can borrow one next time.
I’ve rented from U-Haul a couple times too, but honestly, I keep getting hit with surprise charges and the pickup/drop-off process is such a hassle. I’m thinking I might just pay for delivery next time instead of going through all this trouble!
Yeah, I’ve done that before too! But I’d prefer to break them down at home where I have space.