So I am moving out of Philly and need to use a rental truck, after all the bad things I have heard about trying to get a U-Haul in this city i've decided to use a different company. Has anyone had any experience with Penske? If so which location did you get the truck from and how did it go?

I've never used Penske but I have moved 5 times now in the city, each time using a U-Haul and I've never had a problem when I've booked it ahead of time and picked it up at their Washington Ave location. The other locations were terrible. In fact, one near Spring Garden just decided to never open the day I was scheduled to pick up my truck. But like I said, the Washington Ave one has always been good to me. If Penske doesn't work out, I'd shoot for that U-Haul location.

I've moved quite a few times in the last couple of years. The last time I did (to philly no less) I used Penske and they were head and shoulders above UHaul. Cheaper, MUCH better truck (80 on the highway no problem), much easier to deal with logistics wise, and they guarantee the truck.

I would go with them no doubt when i move again -- everyone always just defaults to UHaul and they really are inferior!

I use rental trucks for my work several times a year, and at my old job I rented trucks at least twice a month. I for one would never, ever use U-Haul except in a dire emergency--they have taken years off my life on several occasions. Penske is the most expensive (for business rental, can't speak for personal) but by far the best, because your reservation actually means something--they will hold an actual, real truck under your name. Also the trucks are clean. Budget is okay and pretty reliable but the trucks are filthy--though they usually have the 24' with the lift gate that I need. The one on 8th & Girard has an issue with people breaking into the trucks and sleeping/urinating in them, and I've had to drive Budget trucks with the windows down in the dead of winter so I could breathe (yes, it's disgusting). With Budget and U-Haul, you can make a reservation but it really doesn't mean anything. You won't know if you'll really have a truck until you have the keys in your hand. And the Penske folks do have good customer service. So I would rank them Penske 9, Budget 5, and U-Haul 0.3.

One other thing: If you are moving into/out of storage and will be pulling up to a loading dock, U-Haul is a problem because they have those super-low beds. This is another reason why businesses generally don't rent from them--it's convenient for home moves, but not for anything where you want to pull up to a standard loading dock.

HTH

Thanks to all for the input. newbie2006, the reason you stated is exactly why I do not want to use u-haul, friends of mine have made reservations well in advance and when they went to pick up their truck they were forced to wait hours until a truck became available. Also did you get your penske truck from a location in philadelphia? On penske's website it lists multiple locations in the city, just want to make sure I go to the one that has the best service!

We've used the Penske on Washington several times with no problems.

After U-Haul cancelled my reservation the morning I was supposed to pick it up, I swore I'd never use them again. I called Penske that morning and they found a truck for me. After that, they've got a customer for life.

Yep, that's where I've gone in Philly, but I think any location will be fine. The Washington location might be extra big which may be an advantage. Always on top of it and follow up with me--confirming the day before, following up later to make sure I was happy. I I thought of one other thing--no matter where you go, if you are doing a one-way move, make sure you confirm and confirm and confirm. Good luck.

I second this recommendation using Penske. Their trucks really are superior to the crappy worn out U-Haul ones.

Definitely never ever rent from Uhaul.

I routinely rent from Penske, (Westmoreland St.), Budget (Venango Ave.) and Ryder (Greys Ferry).

Besides offering dock-height trucks and much better prices, all of these companies provide trucks with lift gates. There has been no better invention throughout the history of human imagination. At least, that's what you'll feel after a day of moving with one.