While people can move mountains if they set their mind to it, it’s not always a good idea to move yourself and your possessions over those same terrestrial heights. The U.S. Census estimates that 10.6 million people in the United States moved to a new residence from 2020 to 2021. The main reason for this was housing, and the next most popular reason for packing up was family matters.
However, professional shippers will tell you that driving through mountains is one of the most difficult things they do. This is because weather conditions change rapidly.
Mountain roads are sinuous and steep. Therefore, the contents of your truck need to be ready to handle sudden shifts and surges, and you need to have your vehicle in proper working order to handle steep climbs and grinding descents.
For all these reasons, experienced movers turn to professionals for this type of high-altitude haul over the do-it-yourself route.
In the following article, we’ll discuss driving a moving truck through the mountains and mountain driving tips.
Pack Right or Don’t Pack
You could drive over Pike’s Peak or to the Quiky-Mart; if your truck isn’t packed correctly, then you are likely to destroy or damage some of your possessions.
A family moved 400 miles in one recent move only to find that their possessions had shifted during stops. Tables were cracked, and boxes had shifted, damaging fragile glassware and other keepsakes. Sadly, after all the time it took to pack the boxes and the truck, their possessions were ruined in the move.
This anecdote shows the importance of having professional packers for your truck. The truck will need to navigate steep grades and snake-like turns when driving in the mountains. In addition, your maneuvers will become compounded by having to slow down suddenly due to changing road conditions, traffic, steep grades, and yields.
A professional mover will know how to utilize proper tie-downs and pack the space to avoid damage.
Tips for Driving Through Mountains
When driving a moving truck through the mountains, you should always pay close attention to the grade of the road. Keep an eye out for warning signs for steep grades and your suggested speed.
It will take time to climb and come down these steep grades, so don’t push your speed. This could cause you to lose control or harm the mechanics of your truck.
Another tip is not to let your truck go as you reach the bottom of the grade; it is an excellent way to lose control of your vehicle as an unforeseen stop, curve, or intersection approaches.
When driving in the mountains, try to keep your speed slow and steady. This action may frustrate yourself and drivers behind you, but not knowing the weather conditions or terrain ahead while in the mountains means you need to exercise caution and be ready to act. If you keep your truck at a controlled speed, you’ll have more time to act if you need to.
Call the Experts
If you’ve no experience driving through mountains in a big truck, or you’re unsure of how to pack your vehicle for a mountainous move, don’t hesitate to contact the experts.
There’s no harm in making the call for advice on your move, while your truck or possessions could experience damage from such a risky move.
Are you ready to talk to the pros? Contact us today for an estimate on your next move.
