To make your rental experience as smooth as possible, here’s a simple checklist to follow when renting a van or light truck:
Take wider turns. Vans are significantly larger than cars, so you’ll need to swing out more in corners to avoid clipping curbs or obstacles.
Use a spotter when reversing. Having someone outside the vehicle to guide you makes reversing much easier and safer, especially if the van doesn’t have a reversing camera or parking sensors.
Roll down the windows and turn off the radio when reversing. This helps you hear instructions from your spotter, stay aware of your surroundings, and notice any warning sounds if something is in the way.
Do not overload the tail lift. If your rental vehicle has a tail lift, make sure you know its maximum weight capacity and never exceed it, as this could damage both the vehicle and your cargo.
Understand how the tail lift works. Ask the lender for a demonstration on how to operate the tail lift safely. Also, remember that you’ll need several metres of free space behind the vehicle to use it properly.
Following these simple tips will help you avoid accidents, damage, and unnecessary stress, making your rental experience safer and more efficient.