About Full Size Pick Up Truck Rentals

Pickup trucks are used for a variety of tasks that a standard car just can't do. From towing to hauling, off-roading and more, pickup trucks make modern life a bit more convenient for the average person when large tasks arise. Though most people don't own their own pickup truck, many automotive rental agencies will allow you to rent a truck of your own for those brief times when only a pickup will get the job done.

Function

Pickup trucks are typically used for hauling large or heavy cargo. They are usually called upon to transport a large piece of furniture from a store to a home, eliminating the hefty delivery fee that usually follows home delivery by a store. Pickup trucks are also often rented when a move is necessary. One or two trips with a pickup truck can usually transport most of the small- and medium-sized home items. They are also popular outdoor vehicles, meaning that many people rent trucks when they go camping, take a road trip up in the mountains or in other steep terrain or when they go offroading. Pickups also have a tow capacity, meaning you could attach a small U-Haul or a variety of watercraft to the truck's hitch.

Features

The rental rate of pickup trucks usually vary according to the truck's size, towing capacity and bed. The length of a truck's bed seems to be the most popular way to categorize trucks. The different types of beds include very short, short, long and step-side. Some trucks also come without any bed, which is called cab chassis. This type of pickup is typically used for commercial jobs, however, and not typically rented to the public. Pickups may also be rented according to whether they have two- or four-wheel drive.

Types

Popular pickup rentals include the Dodge Dakota, Chevy Colorado, Ford F-150, Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra. General Motors, Ford and Dodge are the most popular makers of pickup trucks, with each offering a wide variety of truck options and sizes.

Time Frame

Like other rented vehicles, a pickup truck can typically be rented for any period of time. You will usually have to rent the pickup for at least one day, even if you plan to return it the same day. For cross-country moves, you may be able to rent a pickup in your town of departure and drop it off when you arrive at your destination, as long as your rental car company has an office there and they have given you the okay. Be sure to tell them how and where you plan to drop off the pickup, however, to avoid hefty fines and penalties.

Considerations

Though you do not need a special driver's license to operate a standard pickup truck, it can be a difficult vehicle to master because of its substantial power and size. Take it on a few practice runs before you load everything into your truck and then realize that you're not very good at maneuvering the vehicle. You'll want to practice turning, breaking, accelerating, reversing and parking. Parking can be one of the hardest tasks to master when you're not used to the pickup's mechanics.

Resources

• Pickup truck rental