Companies using a truck rental on a long-term basis to supplement their existing fleet may also have a service person on duty to check regular maintenance like oil, antifreeze and wiper blades. But for the lone freelancer or contractor, who uses a truck rental for a week or two at a time, maintenance should be conducted regularly to ensure proper working condition of the truck rental and avoid potential accidents when driving the truck rental.

There are many landscapers, plumbers and carpenters who take on extra work making a little spending money on their days off from their regular job. But maybe they do not own a personal truck that they can use to carry the supplies and tools to the job. A truck rental is handy because they can make better use of their time. Also, contractors who have a bigger job to complete may keep the truck rental for a week or two or even a month. Because the truck rental is not their personal property does not mean that regular maintenance should not be performed.

To ensure optimum use of the truck rental and to avoid accidents, a renter should treat the truck rental as if it was his own. Some of the more common maintenance tips are:

 check the windshield washer fluid on the truck rental to make sure it is full and remember in the winter to use fluid that is conducive to cold weather temperatures
 make sure the wiper blade motor works and the wiper blades on the truck rental are not cracked or broken
 while driving the moving truck rental, check the brakes
 check all mirrors on the truck rental and use in the proper positioning
 add air to the truck rental tires if required
 check the antifreeze in the truck rental especially in the winter
 make sure the oil is properly filled
 in states where the winter is extreme, check all inside heating and blowers to make sure they are working
 in extreme winter conditions, plug in the block heater and battery warmer to make sure both accessories work
 check the horn, headlights and signal lights
 don’t forget to turn off lights when truck rental not in use as a dead battery will not help
 if using the truck rental to carry building supplies or make deliveries to customers, line the floor of the truck to keep your goods clean
 sweep out the truck rental regularly so that when you load more supplies, they are kept cleaner

Remember also that in some instances, if you have not topped up or filled some of the liquids in the truck rental, it could add extra charges to your truck rental bill for any damages. Find out from the truck rental agency whether you must pay to replace broken wipers or whether they provide reimbursements for out of pocket expenses. Also, do not assume that the person before you checked the moving truck rental vehicle or even that the truck rental location has checked over the vehicle. Check moving truck rental yourself to assure yourself of its safety. Sometimes it is not even a case of safety but convenience. Having a full reservoir of windshield washer fluid in the truck rental is much more pleasant than an empty one.

While it is true that the user of the truck rental should check minor things to ensure safety and convenience, the truck rental location must provide actual repairs and regular inspections of the brakes, front end and suspension. Even if you keep the truck rental on a long-term basis, it is not expected that the user would carry out serious repairs on the moving truck rental vehicle. In most instances if something on the moving truck rental needed replacing, the truck rental should go back to the truck rental location to be repaired by the owners of the truck rental.

Inquire about the truck rental company’s policies concerning towing, minor maintenance and major repairs while the truck rental vehicle is in your possession. You might even want to compare the policies between truck rental companies before committing to one truck rental business over another especially when keeping the moving truck rental for a period of time.

Even before taking the truck rental off the lot, there may be some signs that the trucks are in ill repair. If the moving truck rental vehicles have damages and scratches, are dirty inside and lacking in fluids, it may be an indication that the truck rental agency does not properly inspect their truck rental vehicles. There is no point in taking a chance with more serious problems. Find a location or moving truck rental dealer that caters to proper customer service and safety.

Some of the major truck rental companies have authorized service centers throughout the country. Obtain a list of garages so in the event that something happens, most likely you can get the moving truck rental problem fixed rather quickly. Also, some of the companies offer 24/7 roadside assistance so keep the number and contact information handy for easy reference in a jam.

Damages and scratches from banging into poles, scraping buildings and dinging other vehicles are not considered maintenance on a truck rental. The responsibility is on you to keep the moving truck rental vehicle free from damage as the truck rental location may charge damage fees to repair the vehicle.

Truck rental deals definitely come in handy for contractors, landscapers, and companies with large fleets of trucks. Some truck rental companies offer special packages for long-term moving truck rentals in the form of leases and even rent-to-own packages, which may or may not contain maintenance contracts.

In summary, while it is true the truck rental agency is responsible for the safety standards on its moving truck rental vehicles and must provide any necessary repairs, the company or individual using the truck rental should take precautions. In order to avoid potential damage to the truck rental and also to avoid costly charges, small preventative maintenance measures such as checking the fluids will benefit the moving truck rental renter.