My First Time Driving a UHAUL Truck

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  • čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
  • Though I normally travel from Michigan to Chicago by train, when it comes to moving all my stuff, maybe Amtrak is not the option. So, when it was time to move to my new apartment in Chicago, I rented an American icon: a UHAUL truck. I was a little nervous to drive the 10-footer at first, but all in all it was a great experience. Though they're not cheap, UHAUL only requires a driver's license, which makes this a great option for those of us who do not own our own vehicle. Follow me as I drive from Grand Rapids, MI, to Chicago, IL.
    A big thanks to all the family who helped us on this day!
    Support us on Patreon: / trainsareawesome
    Our Instagram: / tra_channel
    Chapters
    0:00 Introduction
    0:43 Arriving at the UHAUL site
    1:05 Seeing the truck for the first time
    1:55 Driving the first few feet
    2:38 Hitting the road
    3:01 Loading the first furniture
    3:18 Loading the rest
    4:12 Interstate time
    4:33 Getting gas
    5:06 Arriving in Chicago
    6:35 Moving in
    7:29 Bringing the truck back
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 75

  • @anthonywarrener1881
    @anthonywarrener1881 Před rokem +12

    Thank you for a great video ! I thoroughly enjoyed your drive, and how lucky you were to have both side of your family helping out ! I do hope you will both be very happy in your new home, and look forward to your next rail adventure !

  • @tommarino1056
    @tommarino1056 Před rokem +58

    You made it look easy. I rented a U Haul once and was nervous at first, but it really wasn’t hard to drive. Putting gas in was expensive.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +2

      Haha thanks! I was nervous too, but in hindsight it’s helped me to drive the vehicles I have to drive at work now. And yeah, rip gas. Very glad I have a CTA/Pace pass. Just $75 a month.

    • @mrdojob
      @mrdojob Před rokem

      I love trucks like this. They're actually not bad to drive at all.

    • @Mimimacias1
      @Mimimacias1 Před 11 měsíci

      How big was the truck you rented ?

  • @ryancaldwell9463
    @ryancaldwell9463 Před 2 lety +16

    It made me laugh when you said the parking lot was terrifying. That’s been my experience. The places they put these Uhaul places are crazy. Several big boxes in a small lot shoved up next to each other, sometimes on a busy highway. And usually with novice drivers when it comes to larger vehicles having to navigate that. Haha

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +1

      This right here, this is so accurate lol. It was like a minefield with trucks and pedestrians as obstacles…

  • @thickernell
    @thickernell Před 2 lety +5

    Congratulations. Glad to have you both here with us in Chicago.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety

      Thank you! We’re enjoying our new life here

  • @vxgasworld
    @vxgasworld Před rokem +2

    Thank you for this!! I’m moving down 28th street and was nervous, glad to see it wasn’t too bad ❤️

  • @disneyfan9099
    @disneyfan9099 Před rokem

    Very cool video! Congrats on the move

  • @MegaSnow121
    @MegaSnow121 Před rokem +4

    Good job driving the UHaul! They are indeed a bit noisy and rattle a lot when empty. Our UHauls have been the 24 or 26 foot ones, which is ok since several family members have CDL's. Three of us, including myself, either are currently, or were in the past, Portland MAX operators. Loved your look at our great transit system!
    I hope you and your wife are settled into your new place in Chicago! Enjoy your train videos, so keep up the good work.
    (PS If it's confusing that Portland MAX light rail operators have CDLs, it's because all must start as transit bus operators.)

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Thanks for the fun fact about MAX, I didn’t know that!

  • @Artchick1972
    @Artchick1972 Před rokem +2

    Great video. Taking a uhaul from Florida to North Carolina for the first time. Nervous about the drive 😂

  • @MrChuckyducky1
    @MrChuckyducky1 Před 9 měsíci

    Thanks for the great video. I’ll be getting a uhaul in a few days for the first time. Eek

  • @deborraholiveri6202
    @deborraholiveri6202 Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you and good luck !
    Ill be making my move from Florida to Long Island NY!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 3 měsíci

      Hope everything goes well!

  • @LosSantosUriels
    @LosSantosUriels Před rokem +1

    lucky you only 3 hours in that sardine can, lol I had to travel 6 days in that thing when I moved in with my boyfriend, from Florida to Oregon, safe to say I'd never do that trip again in a U-Haul.

  • @JoJo-kd6xp
    @JoJo-kd6xp Před 4 měsíci

    Thanks for the vid. I might be renting one. Lil nervous bout driving it but this made me feel better

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 4 měsíci

      You got this! Just start out slow

  • @blinkth3dog
    @blinkth3dog Před rokem +3

    Good luck young man! Though I question your sanity moving to Chicago (I jest..sorta!) I am making a large life change myself; in 1 month I am driving from Detroit MI to Dowagiac near the border. I will be using the same truck, so I appreciate your feedback on it, and wish you well in your change!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Chicago is a great place to live!

  • @DaniMrtini
    @DaniMrtini Před 11 měsíci +3

    I'm getting a 10' UHaul in a few weeks to drive from Vegas to SD area. Am worried about going down mountains once I pass Victorville. Wish the 9' cargo van was available for 1 way trips! Anyways thanks for the video. Makes me a little less nervous now

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 11 měsíci +1

      Just take it nice and slow!

  • @danielueblacker9118
    @danielueblacker9118 Před 2 lety +6

    with all your Faithful Subscribers we could have formed a line from your old place to the new place and saved you the $400. Good Luck in your new home. Great to see the family helping you's.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +3

      Haha I love that image!

  • @CameronLandels
    @CameronLandels Před 2 lety +1

    Glad you had a seemingly stress free trip moving to Chicago. Hope you've settled in ok. I passed my driving test last week, am loving the freedom but I ll always take the train 😊

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +1

      Congratulations! That’s a big step

    • @CameronLandels
      @CameronLandels Před 2 lety

      @@Thom-TRA Thank you. It's an accomplishment. We mainly drive manual cars (with a gearbox) here in the UK compared to across the pond. It's weird driving on my own but I ll get used to it. Drove on the freeway (in British English - we say motorway.), good fun.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +1

      @@CameronLandels I got my drivers license in the Netherlands so I know how you feel! Failed a few times, but now I’m the only one in my friend groups who can drive a manual!

    • @CameronLandels
      @CameronLandels Před 2 lety

      @@Thom-TRA That's great you can drive both. If you pass your test in the UK in an automatic, you can only drive an automatic vehicle. I've been persuaded lots of times to get an automatic. Manual is fine and it's not that difficult changing gears.

  • @robertschaefer3223
    @robertschaefer3223 Před rokem

    U-hauls are awesome!

  • @42luke93
    @42luke93 Před 2 měsíci

    Always get the GM Express/Savanna vans. The Column shifter is nice to use and should be brought back. The Ford E Series has it but not Transit.

  • @dennisforner6090
    @dennisforner6090 Před 2 lety +4

    You sure looked rather anxious Thom when you first drove the truck but when you went to return it, you looked like an old hand at driving it. What are the chances that you decided to move when Cold Play (who is my favorite band - great to see live) were in town! The alternative was to pay professionals to do it at a much greater cost! Money saved can now be better used for more train trips🙃 What I call a win-win situation

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +2

      A win-win situation indeed! Bear, my brother, actually went to the Coldplay concert, which is how I got the photo. He said it was a great show. I recently went to see Rick Astley perform here in Chicago. He may have been a star before I was born, I still really love his music!
      It took a little getting used to but I ended up really enjoying driving the truck! It was definitely the biggest thing I've driven, though. When we drove it back empty to the return place, I think the loud noises were spooking Lindsey a little bit.

  • @xinyiwu2218
    @xinyiwu2218 Před rokem

    Awesome video!

  • @sooofunny37
    @sooofunny37 Před rokem

    I’m so dang gullible-I believed they were celebrating when u dropped it off🎉😅

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Haha hey it’s fun to pretend!

  • @sooofunny37
    @sooofunny37 Před rokem

    U the man

  • @christinamoon5636
    @christinamoon5636 Před rokem +1

    Thank you for this review! Was there a USB cable for one to use a charger? Or would one need a portable car charger to charge your phone?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      I can’t remember if there was. I’d bring a portable charger just in case, even if they have a usb they’re often unreliable.

  • @midmichiganemdrailfan.4187

    I hope to move out Flint this year hopefully the war and so Gas/Diseal don't be expensive.

  • @TreinspotterDaniel
    @TreinspotterDaniel Před 2 lety

    Trucks are awesome :)

  • @shubhmunot
    @shubhmunot Před rokem

    Hey,
    I am moving from Spokane to Seattle and booked a 10' Truck. It is going to snow during my move. I just wanted to ask if it is safe to drive this truck in snow if you are aware? Also is all wheel drive or rear wheel drive?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      The biggest factor in that will be if you have experience driving in snow. I can’t seem to find information on if they’re all-wheel drive. Just remember to load heavy things towards the front of the container, and because the vehicle is so heavy, avoid sudden braking.

    • @shubhmunot
      @shubhmunot Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA thank you for the reply. Yeah I would not consider myself an experienced driver in snowy conditions.
      Also got to know 10’ trucks are RWD. I am thinking to just add snow chains and drive like a grandma.

  • @stefonwilliams9790
    @stefonwilliams9790 Před 10 měsíci

    I’m from Chicago Illinois born and raise

  • @denniscarey8426
    @denniscarey8426 Před 6 měsíci

    I have never driven any type of U-Haul truck, I’ve only driven cars. I’m certainly not experienced driving trucks. I need to move about 30 miles, there’s really not much stuff, but I’m kind of insecure how I would handle the vehicle.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 6 měsíci +1

      I had never driven anything but cars before either. If you start on a wide road, you’ll get the hang of it really fast.

  • @briansivley2001
    @briansivley2001 Před 2 lety +2

    Welcome to Chicago.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety

      Thanks!

    • @stevenvelders0
      @stevenvelders0 Před 2 lety

      True that. I left Benton harbor yesterday and it was 475. Currently in route to Texas

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety

      @@stevenvelders0 have a safe trip! It sounds like fun

  • @joshc2650
    @joshc2650 Před 2 lety

    5:07 Did you see any South Shore Line trains through Indiana?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety

      Not this time sadly. Come to think of it, haven’t been on that line since December…

  • @yitian007
    @yitian007 Před 4 měsíci

    Does it take two lanes for left and right turns?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 4 měsíci

      No, it's rather small. Drives similar to a delivery van.

  • @interiordesign1234
    @interiordesign1234 Před rokem

    So there are only 2 seats in the truck right ?

  • @adambuesser6264
    @adambuesser6264 Před 2 lety

    Do you understand the amount of space needed to move your furniture? There are different sizes of vans and trucks that can move just about everything you would like.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +1

      Yes, I understand, which is why I picked a truck that fit all my stuff perfectly…

  • @BaneCodes
    @BaneCodes Před rokem

    Do we need any seperate licence?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Nope! Your regular license is fine

  • @LexieLou435
    @LexieLou435 Před rokem

    Will a king size bed fit?

  • @stevenvelders0
    @stevenvelders0 Před 2 lety

    See the gas prices in Chicago??

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +1

      The best part is, the CTA hasn’t gone up a cent

  • @pelkasdunnoa
    @pelkasdunnoa Před 2 lety +1

    Car language of the mericans always confuses me. At first you where thankful that people let you merge but as soon as you're om the highway you make sure "that no ome cuts infront of my lane". Like how do you even do that, driving rediculously close to the car in front of you? Or do you speed up as soon as someome indicates in order to prevent them from merging? And whats up with this self centric language. The words "My Lane" are so incredebly selfish. As if no one else was allowed in there because it it "mine". Maybe drivers ofer there are way more aggresive which reflects in their language.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 2 lety +7

      Allow me to answer a few of your concerns:
      1. Saying "my lane" is not selfish at all. It is simply much easier to say than "the lane I am currently occupying." I don't think there's a single person in any language (at least, not in the 5 languages that I speak) who would not say "my lane" when referring to the lane they are in. It's like saying "my neighborhood." Are you the only person allowed to live there? Of course not! What an absolutely absurd claim.
      2. In Chicago, what people like to do is stay in the fast lane until the last minute, then cut over to their exit, so they can be in the front. This, of course, is very unfair, because what happens is there are traffic jams for miles. There is no room for everyone to merge last minute, and when you allow people to do so, you make the situation worse for OTHER people. That's why I was grateful when I could merge at an appropriate time, and stopped people from doing so at an inappropriate time.
      Yes, American drivers can be very aggressive. The city is not a fun place to drive, which is why I take the train. But your complaints seem to be overly sensitive and missing the mark, and I do hope you're not trying to start a fight.

    • @pelkasdunnoa
      @pelkasdunnoa Před 2 lety +2

      @@Thom-TRA I can agree with you on the first point. I was very hypocritical on that one.
      On the second point I will have to believe you. I've never driven a vehicle in the united states so I will trust on what you say about these habits. In general drivers that often drive in dense areas seem to be more risk taking. They have tight traffic way more often than people out in the countryside. People outside of a metro area with high car usage seem to handle difficult traffic situations way more calm than the people in a big citys.
      I guess I just didn't like the thought that someone decides when to not let anyone through the lane. The slow right lane in areas with many on and off ramps are a normal occurance. A lane of traffic only can handle so many cars and interchanges before the avg speed slows down. You can calculate that with some hefty formulas. I think the action of not letting someone pass makes a big difference to the whole capcity and so the avg speed on the right lane. One thing I can agree on is if you say that you did that for your own safety. So I guess it's on you to decide when it is a appropriate time after all.
      I'm really thankful for your calm and the constructivity on your answer. My complaints really were overly sensitive and rude. It really shows the best in a person if they can stay this friendly while facing some raging comment on the internet. I like many of your videos and you are doing a good thing. Information is what we need to make a change in the transportation infrastrucure around the world and you're providing it. Out of all people you shouldn't receive blame.
      I was drunk the evening i wrote the comment, if you couldn't tell by the many typos. Whenever I'm thinking about commenting on something in that state of mind again I'll think back to this converstation we had and I'll know how much of a neat persons time I wasted with that. Rage never does anything good.