Helpful Tips for Do-It-Yourself Movers Besides Watch Your Back

READING, Pa., May 13, 2003 -- This year more than 50 million Americans will relocate, and nearly 80 percent will decide to make the move without using professional movers. As the 2003 moving season gets underway, Penske Truck Rental offers tips to help do-it-yourself movers have a smooth, stress-free experience.

  -- To help you select the proper truck for your move, many truck rental
      companies have an online capability to assess your moving needs.
      This tool enables you to calculate, room by room, the truck size,
      packing equipment and moving accessories required to move your
      household efficiently.
  -- Be sure the truck rental company you choose has free 24-hour emergency
      road service along your route.
  -- When loading the truck, start with the heaviest items such as major
      appliances and large furniture.  Get help moving these items and
      consider renting hand trucks with load-locking straps and stair
      climbers so you can move large and/or heavy items safely.
  -- Stack cartons in the truck by weight, from heaviest to lightest, floor
      to ceiling.  Keep fragile items toward the top, securing them with
      rope so they do not shift during transit.
  -- Driving a truck is very different from driving a car.  Take some time
      before your move to familiarize yourself with the operation and
      handling of the vehicle.  Trucks are taller and wider than cars and
      weigh three to ten times more, requiring greater overhead and side
      clearance as well as a greater stopping distance.
  -- A cell phone is a great convenience that will keep you in touch with
      people assisting in your move and help you locate services needed
      during the trip.  For your safety and the safety of others, please do
      not use your cell phone while driving.  Park at a rest stop or pull
      off of the road to make calls.
  -- Pack an `open first' box that includes essentials needed on arrival to
      your new home, such as refreshments, toiletry items, and a change of
      clothes.  Be sure to load this box into the truck last so it is
      easily accessible when you reach your destination.

"Every year millions of Americans choose to move themselves due to cost, convenience, and to help ensure that their valued personal possessions are handled with care," says Sam Brown, senior vice president, Penske Truck Rental. "Penske takes great satisfaction in being able to help millions of do-it-yourself movers complete cost-effective, safe, and stress-free moves all year long."

Do-it-yourself movers can pick up a free moving guide at any Penske Truck Rental location, by contacting 800-467-3675, or by visiting www.pensketruckrental.com.

Penske Truck Rental provides do-it-yourself movers with new model trucks featuring the latest in safety and comfort, industry leading preventive maintenance, and free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency roadside assistance. Our Rate Protection Plus program guarantees that if the rate quoted on your rental reservation drops before your rental date, we will honor the new lower rate. Customers can also change the date of pickup on a reservation twice without any rate change. Discount programs are offered through partnerships with key service providers including AAA, Public Storage, Choice Hotels, AllBoxes Direct, and Home Depot.

Penske Truck Rental is a service of Penske Truck Leasing, a joint venture of Penske Corporation and General Electric. A leading global transportation services provider headquartered in Reading, Pa., the company operates approximately 200,000 vehicles and serves customers from nearly 1,500 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. Product lines include full-service leasing, contract maintenance, commercial and consumer rental, integrated logistics services, and supply chain management solutions. Headquartered in Reading, Pa., Penske Truck Leasing's annual revenues are approximately US $3.4 billion.