Comparing Commercial Truck Rental Companies

You need a work truck, but your budget currently doesn’t allow you to buy. So it seems to you that renting could be a good idea. However, it can be a hassle, as not all rental companies are the same.

So what should you look for in a commercial truck rental company? We will look at three (3) areas:

• Selection & Delivery
• Damage policy
• Extent of use

Selection & Delivery

When it comes to selection, you definitely want to rent the right truck for the job. Maybe you only need a 1/2-ton pickup for lighter duty. For hauling equipment or materials, you might need a 1-ton or 1.5-ton flatbed truck. Or maybe you just need to transport your crew and your tools, so a crew cab pickup. Do you need towing capabilities?

Whatever your particular needs are, talk to a company that has the variety of inventory to address a variety of needs.

Most of the time when you rent a truck, you’re expected to pick it up personally. But say you’re in one state, and the job site is a few states away. How will you be able to pick up your rental? That alone could be very costly to your company. Then there’s the possibility you actually need several rental trucks delivered to the remote site.

Go with a company that delivers when renting a work truck. A company that can deliver trucks in any amount to any place in the lower 48 states can get it done.

Customer Service & Damage Policy

You also want to deal with a commercial truck rental company that is known for excellent customer service. No matter how big a company is, customer service should be right at the top. You want to have a rental company that’s ready to serve your needs from consultation to delivery to turn ins.

Dealing with damage can be a real thorn in the side, depending on the commercial truck rental company you’re dealing with. Some have used their damage policy to fleece their customers for damage that could simply be wear and tear.

A fair-minded company will clearly outline their policy before the contract is signed, and only charge you for actual damages when the vehicles are turned in.

Extent of use

If you’re in construction and you are using a rental to work on a site that is remote, remember, you may have to drive off-road. That could mean some rough terrain, including mud.

However, other commercial truck rental companies don’t like that. In fact, they don’t allow it at all. And it isn’t worth taking a chance on driving their vehicles anyway. If it’s found out, they could penalize you heavily for it. Besides that, their trucks could be so poorly maintained that they couldn’t handle off-road driving anyway!

Look for a company that also allows you to drive them out-of-state as well. Of course, if they can deliver to anywhere in the continental U.S., they sure can be driven in another state.

Dealing with a commercial rental truck company doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal. Find a company that:

• Offers a wide selection of models for a variety of needs
• Provides excellent customer service from start to finish
• Has a fair approach when assessing vehicle damage
• Doesn’t needlessly limit your use of the rental, whether it’s highway use or driving off-road,

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. There are other things to consider, but the items covered here are some of the most important. You yourself may have things on your mind that weren’t covered.