Driving through a busy city with a large rental truck is intimidating even for experienced drivers. Tight streets, heavy traffic, and parking require more focus and patience than any other vehicle you drive. The mix of mental and physical fatigue can quickly take its toll on the driver, especially if not experienced with larger vehicles.
The added size, combined visibility, and the hustle and bustle of urban traffic create challenges. It just takes some preparation and attention to detail to confidently make your way down city streets. Whether moving or handling delivery, these tips will have you through the city safely and stress-free.
Ten Tips on Driving a Large Rental Truck in a Busy City
1. Plan Ahead of Your Route
Take some time to plan out your route ahead of time before ever getting on the road. Utilize GPS, but be highly cautious with this; most GPS systems have been designed for regular vehicles, not trucks. Some routes may have low bridges, narrow lanes, or weight restrictions, so try to use a truck-specific navigation app or map.
Tip: If at all possible, try to use a truck-specific GPS or app that will give you routes based on the size of your vehicle. Always double-check the route for any obstacles or restrictions that may pose a problem.
Try to avoid high-traffic times and areas with heavy pedestrian activity. Planning will also help you avoid last-minute lane changes or sudden stops.
Tip: If possible, avoid driving in rush hour. Remain cool and keep ample space between your truck and the vehicle in front to avoid screeching to sudden stops that can guarantee fender benders.
2. Know Your Vehicle’s Dimensions 
Know the height, width, and length of your rental truck. These are pretty important to know when you’re driving through a city with tight spaces, low overpasses, and parking garage limits. Most urban cities have very low overpasses; make sure to pay attention to the road signs and always know your truck’s clearance. It is also significant when you are going to negotiate sharp turns because larger trucks need more room to maneuver.
Tip: Pay attention to the height of your rental truck, particularly when driving and when you notice signage indicating low clearance ahead. When in doubt, route around.
3. Adjust Your Mirrors and Use Them Often
The major problem when driving a large truck is the visibility. Before going on the road, ensure that the side mirrors are suitably adjusted in such a manner to try and eliminate as many blind spots as possible. Continuously keep a check on them while on the road, especially when changing lanes or at turns. Since you would not have a rearview mirror like in a normal vehicle, side mirrors are your only main tool for monitoring traffic behind you.
Tip: Continuously use your mirrors, and wide turns to avoid curb clips or parked car clips. Never be afraid to stop or slow down and wait for a clearer path.
4. Take Wide Turns
Large trucks require lots of space to execute right-hand turns. Swing wide around, allowing yourself enough space not to hit curbs, parked cars, or pedestrians. Always advance signal, and watch your side mirrors to be sure your truck will clear any obstructions. Be patient-don’t rush the turn or take it at anything more than a crawl if necessary to remain in control.
Tip: Take some time to get accustomed to the truck before hitting the road. Drive around a quiet area or large parking lot and practice turning parking, and braking.
5. Slow and Steady Wins the Race
In general, drive much slower through a city when taking a large truck through it. Rental trucks are heavier, which means it takes longer to stop, so maintain an ample following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. The more seconds you give yourself to react to anything whether it be a sudden stop or just something out of the ordinary the better. Be very aware of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers who may not be prepared for your truck’s limitations.
Tip: Take breaks, breathe, and stay hydrated. Rushing through your route in a high-stress situation can lead to mistakes. Give yourself plenty of time and stay patient.
6. Park Carefully
Parking the big truck around the city may be tricky. Always look out for spots that are easy to get in and out. Try to avoid areas where you may need to back into heavy traffic flow, this being one of the most dangerous maneuvers of a large vehicle. Have someone guide you whenever possible. When parallel parking, give adequate space around so that you will not hit the other cars around or block your roadways.
Tip: Plan parking in advance. Depending on the city, there may be special permits needed to park a large truck on the street. Look for loading zones, or try hiring a professional to handle driving and unloading for you.
7. Stay in Your Lane
Large rental trucks may need much more than the ordinary amount of space in narrow city lanes. Stay in the middle of your lane, and avoid driving near other vehicles and/or objects. Watch for lane markers, being conscious of bike lanes, parked cars, and construction areas. If the road narrows, and if it doesn’t feel comfortable, slow down or pull over to let other vehicles go by.
8. Mind Your Speed 
There are pedestrians, bicyclists, and other stops that come out of nowhere in city environments. Pay extra attention to your speed, especially in high-density areas and around schools or parks. It is harder to stop a truck quickly, so going slower gives you an extra second or two to respond. Rental trucks also have a higher center of gravity and are prone to swaying and even tipping if you take a turn with too much haste.
9. Back Up Carefully
It can be intimidating to back up such a large truck, especially in tight city spaces. Most rental trucks do not have backup cameras, so you will want to rely heavily on your mirrors. Whenever possible, park in spots that allow you to drive forward instead of having to reverse the truck. If you must back up, use a spotter if one is available, or park in an open area where the risk of hitting obstacles is minimal.
10. Be patient; stay cool.
Driving a large rental truck in the city streets as with any vehicle is stressful, but having the added pressure of a large truck could be overwhelming. Be calm and patient by allowing yourself the time to reach a destination. If flustered, it is OK to pull over to take a moment to collect yourself before continuing. Your safety and others’ safety are worth more than speeding to any destination.
Dealing with narrow streets to tight parking in a busy city with a large rental truck is rather daunting. The list of challenges goes on and on, and they build up very fast.
Many people hire professional drivers when it comes to dealing with an urban area. Sometimes, it’s just worth it just the peace of mind that comes with knowing an experienced driver is at the helm or the mere relief from headaches with parking is enough to warrant hiring a professional to get the job done.
Whether driving the truck yourself or hiring a professional to get it done for you, your key to success is preparation.
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