Stay Safe and Don’t Pack Hazardous Materials
When packing your Penske rental truck, it is extremely important to understand what is hazardous.
Most household items like clothing and furniture are completely safe. However, you should be aware of potential hazardous materials that could be dangerous or illegal.
A truck is an enclosed space, and during the summer months especially, the inside can reach high temperatures. This can be a dangerous mixture if you are transporting hazardous materials.
A general rule of thumb is that all appliances or machinery that hold gasoline or oil should be completely drained before they are loaded into a truck. You should also avoid packing any type of combustible or highly flammable items like aerosol cans and lighter fluid.
When packing items like a gas generator, lawnmower or weed whacker, make sure to drain the gasoline and oil completely until the tank is bone dry. Any amount of gasoline and oil can lead to build-up of highly combustible vapor.
There are federal regulations that apply to operators of rental trucks as it relates to the transportation of hazardous materials. Please review and if you have questions about whether specific items are hazardous, or you have general questions about what you are allowed to pack into your moving truck, then contact your local branch of the Department of Transportation or a moving advisor at Penske Truck Rental.
Taking these necessary steps is vital to the protection of yourself and your property. It is also important to your rental truck and the safety of other drivers on the road.
When packing your truck, we recommend avoiding the following items:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition and guns
- Charcoal
- Cleansers containing bleach or ammonia
- Fertilizer
- Lighter fluid
- Nail polish remover
- Oil or gas
- Paint cans
- Pesticides
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antifreeze
- Fireworks
- Compressed gasses
- Signal flares
- Propane tanks
- Matches
- Fire extinguishers
- Paint thinners
- Automobile batteries
- Weed killer or pesticides
- Hazardous waste
- Marine pollutants
By Paul Rosa IV
