Renting Trucks

Top solutions for renting the right trucks for your business needs
By Judith Earley Whether you need to transport products, relocate your whole business, or make a last-minute delivery, a rental truck can get the job done. Truck rental companies offer both short-term and long-term rentals for small business, depending on your needs. When selecting a rental company, find out about:

1. A collision damage waiver
2. Personal accident insurance
3. Supplemental liability protection
4. Personal effects protection

 

Go with business truck renting specialists

Even if you only rent a truck once a year, you need a reliable, safe vehicle from a trustworthy company that rents for business purposes.
Try: Enterprise Truck Rental provides more than short and long-term truck rentals. They also offer seasonal, crunch or capacity rentals, a free Special Delivery service, and invoicing timed specifically to fit your needs. Ryder offers a wide range of truck rental services for business. Check their lineup of different types of trucks available, and a list of truck rental benefits and special programs (like preferred customer status and special billing).

Look for regular-rental rewards

If you need rental trucks on regular basis, use a company that offers savings on frequent business rentals and other perks.
Try: At Budget Truck Rental, frequent renters who qualify for a Budget commercial account get preferred rates, direct billing and fast rentals/returns. Penske Business Rental offers 50,000-plus vehicles, more than 1,500 nationwide locations and the Rental Express program after your first rental.

Think about leasing

If your trucking needs are extensive, leasing might be an attractive solution. Whether you need a single truck, commercial trucks or a fleet of vehicles, truck leasing, commercial truck leasing and fleet leasing solutions may be the right choice for your business.
Try: Ryder truck leasing offers a range of solutions for small business.

Find the right specialty truck for your needs

Sometimes, a standard truck isn't enough to get the job done. Look for companies that rent "specialty trucks" -- bucket trucks, material handlers, digger-derricks or cable placing units.
Try: Penske Utility Vehicles is an excellent source for all things utility-truck-oriented, representing the major chassis and aerial device manufacturers. Penske offers 24/7 emergency roadside service on rentals for anywhere from a day to a year – and beyond.

Consider a truck-rental alternative

Some companies allow you to rent space in a truck or trailer (as opposed to renting the entire vehicle), and then the rental company's driver does the driving. This way, you only pay for the space you use, and save money, plus your own employee's time/expenses of lodging/gas/rest stops.
Try: Check out U-Pack for their "You Pack, We Drive" moving alternative. They offer moving storage, free moving quotes, and a large coverage area.

• Take a deduction: If you use your personal truck in your business, you may be able to deduct the costs of operation and maintenance.
• Save money: Rent from a company that charges on an "unlimited mileage", flat-fee basis. Extra miles can add up very quickly, and so can the seemingly cheap add-on mileage fees!
• Consider the rental time: If you will need the vehicle for a lengthy, pre-determined amount of time, consider leasing the vehicle, instead of renting it.
• Plan with foresight: Ask about the rental company's policy for bad weather and breakdowns.
• Remember: The speed limit for trucks in most places is on average 10 miles an hour lower than for passenger cars.
• Once you find a good company, keep their info on hand for those times when your own fleet can't handle your deliveries – say, around the holidays – or other truck needs arise.