My First Time Driving a UHAUL Truck

[@tommarino1056]

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]

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]

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

[@Mimimacias1]

How big was the truck you rented ?

[@anthonywarrener1881]

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 !

[@ryancaldwell9463]

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]

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

[@thickernell]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! We’re enjoying our new life here

[@danielueblacker9118]

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]

Haha I love that image!

[@deborraholiveri6202]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

Hope everything goes well!

[@LosSantosUriels]

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.

[@alexlorenz4103]

My roommates and I moved into our apartment a little over 2 years ago. I used a U-haul van because we were staying local. Even though I had to drive out a little bit to pick some stuff up. It was nerve-racking!! I was glad when we were finally all moved in!!

[@Thom-TRA]

When you’re done moving you’re always glad you don’t have to again for a little bit

[@alexlorenz4103]

@@Thom-TRA Exactly!

[@Artchick1972]

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

[@DaniMrtini]

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]

Just take it nice and slow!

[@ShotofLuxury]

Shoulda rented an unlimited mileage truck or cargo van from *Penske* instead! Much cheaper than U haul!

[@vxgaswxrld]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

Good luck with the move!

[@MegaSnow121]

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]

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

[@42luke93]

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.

[@MrChuckyducky1]

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

[@JoJo-kd6xp]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

You got this! Just start out slow

[@ShotofLuxury]

Look into unlimited mileage *Penske* truck rentals instead. Much more cost effective than uhaul

[@blinkth3dog]

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]

Chicago is a great place to live!

[@dennisforner6090]

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]

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.

[@robertschaefer3223]

U-hauls are awesome!

[@stefonwilliams9790]

I’m from Chicago Illinois born and raise

[@CameronLandels]

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]

Congratulations! That’s a big step

[@CameronLandels]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@disneyfan9099]

Very cool video! Congrats on the move

[@xinyiwu2218]

Awesome video!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@briansivley2001]

Welcome to Chicago.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@Thom-TRA]

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

[@audiophileman7047]

Do you still like Chicago? It just seems to be a terribly mismanaged city. I don't know if things are better since they got a new mayor.

[@sooofunny37]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha hey it’s fun to pretend!

[@sooofunny37]

U the man

[@christinamoon5636]

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]

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.

[@Thom-TRA]

Hope that goes well!

[@jcgroblife6109]

So a 10ft U-Haul only takes about an hour to get it refilled back up because I’m tryna go to pa to tx

[@Thom-TRA]

You can refill it in a matter of minutes

[@jcgroblife6109]

@@Thom-TRA from the distance like how many hours can u go without filling it up my bad for wording it wrong 😂

[@Thom-TRA]

@@jcgroblife6109 you can definitely go three or four hours

[@denniscarey8426]

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]

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.

[@Chrissy-v2t]

Try 470miles alone 😭 8 hour drive in a 10ft truck at 19 I’m scared😭😭

[@PlanesandTrainsNL]

Trucks are awesome :)

[@Thom-TRA]

But of course trains are much more awesome

[@PlanesandTrainsNL]

@@Thom-TRA Yes, thats true

[@yitian007]

Does it take two lanes for left and right turns?

[@Thom-TRA]

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

[@joshc2650]

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

[@Thom-TRA]

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

[@interiordesign1234]

So there are only 2 seats in the truck right ?

[@Thom-TRA]

Correct

[@shubhmunot]

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]

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]

@@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.

[@LexieLou435]

Will a king size bed fit?

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes, I think so!

[@BaneCodes]

Do we need any seperate licence?

[@Thom-TRA]

Nope! Your regular license is fine

[@adambuesser6264]

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]

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

[@pelkasdunnoa]

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]

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]

@@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.