How hard is it to drive a 15-foot U-Haul truck?

[AmyAnne]

Trying to decide whether it would be a horrible idea to drive a 15-foot U-Haul truck -- anyone here drive one? How does it compare to driving a large SUV or pickup? According to the website, the 15-foor truck is the second-smallest, but it still has me kind of worried.

 

[amcnj]

I believe that is the size I had used a few years back. I found it easy to drive. Of course it is a little bigger than vehicles I usually drive, but I don't recall experiencing any problems

 

[davper]

"It's like driving a really big Pinto" Sandra Bullock in Speed

In reality, It is just a large van. You need to give yourself a little more room to make the turns and you are wider than you are used to. Have someone guide you when backing up if possible and you will be fine

 

[Alesia]

Where are you driving it? How far? In town or on the highway?

We've needed them a few times and it was clear that they had been driven pretty roughly. I wouldn't drive one if there was another option.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Isn't it funny that they will let anyone drive one of those bigger trucks but a person needs a CDL to drive them usually? I was driving a Honda Civic when I rented a 22 foot Penske and they didn't think twice about letting me rent it. But I drove that thing packed to the gills on country roads without much of an issue. Yes, backing up is hard so a person directing you is very necessary. But driving it down the street and turning isn't that big of a deal. Just take it slow and know that cargo tends to shift in motion so go very slow when making sharper turns. If you are driving a long distance or in city traffic, that would likely be more of a challenge. Just use your mirrors and give yourself a lot of space when changing lanes, etc.

 

[davper]

Isn't it funny that they will let anyone drive one of those bigger trucks but a person needs a CDL to drive them usually? I was driving a Honda Civic when I rented a 22 foot Penske and they didn't think twice about letting me rent it. But I drove that thing packed to the gills on country roads without much of an issue. Yes, backing up is hard so a person directing you is very necessary. But driving it down the street and turning isn't that big of a deal. Just take it slow and know that cargo tends to shift in motion so go very slow when making sharper turns. If you are driving a long distance or in city traffic, that would likely be more of a challenge. Just use your mirrors and give yourself a lot of space when changing lanes, etc.

The big trucks from Uhaul use standard brakes and transmissions and are not rated for heavy loads. The trucks that require a CDL have different Transmissions, Pneumatic brakes, and can haul much heavier loads.

 

[Judique]

Isn't it funny that they will let anyone drive one of those bigger trucks but a person needs a CDL to drive them usually? I was driving a Honda Civic when I rented a 22 foot Penske and they didn't think twice about letting me rent it. But I drove that thing packed to the gills on country roads without much of an issue. Yes, backing up is hard so a person directing you is very necessary. But driving it down the street and turning isn't that big of a deal. Just take it slow and know that cargo tends to shift in motion so go very slow when making sharper turns. If you are driving a long distance or in city traffic, that would likely be more of a challenge. Just use your mirrors and give yourself a lot of space when changing lanes, etc.

A rental truck is not considered a commercial vehicle. A 22 foot also is probably only about 12000 lbs empty - maybe less.

 

[afan]

I've helped drive a 15 ft and I think 20 or 22 ft truck with a trailer behind it Seattle to Charlotte, NC and back again, 6 years apart It's not hard when it's just the truck, it just takes a little getting used to.

You have to remember that you can't look through any back or side windows to check blind spots, you've got to use your mirrors. Make sure you get those set before you start down the road and realize that you may need to lean forward or back a little to help check your blind spots.

If you are comfortable backing up, we never were with the trailer, park in spots you can pull all the way through, or take up a few spots if you need to. Most places it won't be an issue.

Also, if you are going long distance, try and stop at truck stops or gas stations that you know have lots of room, QT (quick trip) is a great one. Also make sure you check which side the gas tank is on before you get to the gas station the first time

 

[Gumbo4x4]

A rental truck is not considered a commercial vehicle. A 22 foot also is probably only about 12000 lbs empty - maybe less.

A CDL is required for a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 26,001 lbs or more. A 22' truck could easily have this designation, it just depends on the axles & springs. I bought a "new" (to us) company truck with a 26' box in July and a 25,950 GVWR and licensed it for 26,000 lbs. My crew can drive it with just a "chauffeur's license", and they're only required to have that because they're being paid to drive it. Several of the trucks I looked at in the 20-26' range had 33,000lb GVWR - a handful higher yet.


But, back to the question: be mindful of low hanging branches & not running over stuff making right-hand turns.

 

[UCFGrad01]

Not awful. I drove a 17' Penske from FL to CO when I moved there like 8 years ago. I tried not to have to back up. I drove it on rural two lane roads and through big city downtown rush hour traffic, it's fine. Just leave yourself extra space and be aware of your surroundings.