Renting a tractor/trailer for a private move.

I've never heard of Penske or Ryder renting tractors or trailers to anybody other then a business. In fact, I would almost guarantee that they won't.

 

If you are renting their truck, you technically are running under their authority. If you keep the truck for more then 30 days, then you need to have your own DOT # on the side.

Since you are "not for hire" technically you would not be regulated other than needing your CDL and Med card.

Problem is to rent from any of the "big boys" you will need to have a business account established with them and provide proof of insurance. If you can find a mom and pop shop for equipment rentals, you should have nothing to worry about since you will not be running commercial.

Legally you can have a semi fully loaded with your own household property and drive 48 hours straight. Now if you have so much as a printer that is used for work in your truck, they can argue it is a commercial move, so as long as you play by the rules of commercial...go for it.

 

Exactly! I had a stint driving a Ryder rental. I talked with the Ryder people one day about renting one and they told me they only rent to places like a factory that has their own shipping dept. You can't just come off the street and rent one for private use.

Now they do leases but for more than a few days.

 

I may be wrong about this but it is possible that you may run afoul of the rules that govern carriers who engage in residential relocation (United, Mayflower etc). Might wanna look into that angle, too.

 

True it is a mute point for the OP but the exemption I quorted isn’t for trucks with a GVWR of less than 26,000 only, no where does it state any GVWR weight under the Exemptions section other than for farmers. The full Exemptions section reads……

A CDL is a “Commercial Driver License”, it simply does not apply for a truck that is Not For Hire and used for private, non-commercial use.

 

All good information here. Thanks for everyones input. I brought it up only because a friend of mine was moving and inquired if a semi could in fact be used in a private move. Which brings to mind another point. Back in the day i used to go to some hare scrambles with my buddy who raced. There were a few folks that used tractor-trailers to haul their bikes and gear to the track. I never noticed a "not for hire" on the trucks, but they were certainly road legal. I'm guessing that anyone could buy a tractor-trailer and use it however they saw fit. Aside from insurance and state registrations, and your not running comercially, this would seem pretty legit.

 

I inquired about this recently because I will be moving from NJ to MO. Neither Penske nor Ryder will do it. Reason I was given was they don't like losing equipment like that for 1 way turn ins. They will not let liftgate straight trucks go for the same reason. Largest Penske or Uhaul will have to do short of the other options mentioned already.

 

Ditto on them not renting to individuals. I have a cdl, and tried to rent a tractor to move a trailer a short distance I was gonna use for storage. They told me they only rent up to straight box truck (w/ airbrakes, btw) to individuals, and for a tractor would need a bussiness account with them.

 

Looking this up as well, I would like to k ow more. I know rental/leasing companies won't do it but having you own truck and trailer with full authority, would I have to cover my numbers with a temporary "not for hire" sign since the load (personal possessions being moved) does not generate revenue just for the move. I only ask because there would be no bill of lading. Also, would it require a temporary change in insurance? My grandmother in law wants to move down with us, so I'm footing the bill for the move out of my own pocket to make the trip easier on her be7ng more comfortable rather than a #### rough ridin' POS straight truck and extra expense of a moving company.

 

Do you have your own authority?

If so, I don't see an issue with it, it is personal property that is being move.

If not, you may have to look at your contract and see what you can do about using the truck for personal reasons.

If you get permission from a company, then you are good to go.

BUT either way most likely insurance won't cover anything that happens on the way. You will have to get a separate policy for just the personal stuff like you do with laptops and radio equipment you have in your truck.