Like every vehicle we put our name on, Handy Rentals trucks and vans are regularly maintained, serviced and inspected for top performance and reliability.
Driving a Handy truck or van isn't difficult, but it's not the same as driving a car.
Before you take it on the road
- Make sure you are familiar with all the driving controls of the vehicle. Indicators, lights, windscreen wipers
- Adjust your left and right rear-view mirrors to let you see as much of the road as you can
- Adjust seating for a comfortable driving position
- Ensure your rear or side cargo door is securely locked, your load is well strapped down or secured to the vehicle, and not overhanging the sides
- When loading or unloading the vehicle, carefully check the instructions for operating tail lifters
Once you've started your trip, follow these safe-driving tips:
Watch Out Overhead
Experience tells us that clients more accustomed to driving cars from day to day are more likely to forget the overall height of our trucks and vans and drive under a low structure, resulting in roof damage.
Examples of low structures include low tree branches, under cover car parks with a restricted head height, (usually around 1.95 m) awning roofs and carports to motels etc, and drive-through restaurants.
Remember:
- Trucks are significantly taller than cars
- Note clearance signs at bridges, overpasses and undercover car parks
- Be careful of drive-through canopies
- Watch for low-hanging tree limbs, power and telephone lines
Roof damage is always expensive to repair, and as we require (as do most rental car companies) the client to reimburse in full for any such damage, please LOOK UP!
Be Careful At Intersections/Cutting Corners
Most of our trucks and larger vans all feature a LONG WHEEL BASE ie: the measurement from the front axle to the rear axle is long, especially when compared to a car.
When turning, it must be remembered that the rear wheels turn inside the line of the front wheels. For this reason it is vital not to 'cut' or turn corners too sharply/tightly.
If corners are cut (particularly the left handed variety) the rear wheel may strike the kerb, or if there is a structure such as a pole in close proximity to the apex of the corner, there is a good chance that the side of the vehicle will come into contact with same.
In summary, don't cut corners, but rather take turns slow and wide, thus a more conservative and safer line around the corner.
Never Follow Too Close
- Trucks are heavier than cars and need more braking distance
- Stay a minimum of 4 seconds from the vehicle ahead
Use Your Mirrors
- Exercise caution before changing lanes and use turn signals
- Avoid abrupt manoeuvres
Reversing damage is quite prevalent and may be avoided by:
- Checking the immediate area around and behind the vehicle using the side mirrors. If unsure what is behind the vehicle the driver should get out and inspect first hand. Alternatively have someone guide the driver whilst standing in the driver's field of vision (never behind the vehicle)
- Always reverse vehicle slowly
Steep Descents
Total reliance upon the vehicles' service brakes to negotiate long downhill runs may lead to their overheating and possible failure, more so on the larger vehicles.
Ways of alleviating this possibility include:
- selecting a lower gear (before starting your run downhill), so that the engine acts as a brake - as a guide select the same gear for going down as you used coming up
- if the vehicle is fitted with an exhaust brake (most of our trucks are) make sure it is switched on - these devices are generally set to operate automatically when the driver's foot is off the throttle
Warning: Never descend on any downhill run (short or long) with the gear box in neutral - with no engine braking whatsoever the vehicle will quickly run away and greatly increase the risk of the driver losing control.
24 Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance
Anytime of the day or night, help is available with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance anywhere in the country.