Safety Spotlight: Hazardous Materials Guidance
Important reminder: Under Penske's rental agreement, you may not transport flammable, explosive, or otherwise hazardous materials in your rental truck.
Heat and humidity can have an impact on items kept in enclosed spaces such as a rental truck, so great care should be taken when packing items into the truck.
Do not pack items such as propane tanks, paint thinner, pesticides, oil-based paints, fertilizer, charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid in your rental truck.
Fireworks are considered a Class 1 hazardous material by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. There are federal regulations that apply to rental truck operators regarding the transportation of hazardous materials.
A general rule of thumb is that all appliances or machinery that hold gasoline or oil should be completely drained before they are loaded into a truck.
You should also avoid packing any type of combustible or highly flammable items like aerosol cans and lighter fluid. When packing items like a gas generator, lawnmower, snowblower or weed whacker, make sure to drain the gasoline and oil completely until the tank is dry. Any remaining gasoline and oil can lead to build-up of highly combustible vapor.
Avoid Packing These Dangerous Items
When packing your truck, we recommend avoiding the following additional items:
- Aerosols,
- Ammunition and guns
- Antifreeze
- Automobile batteries
- Cleansers containing bleach or ammonia
- Compressed gases
- Hazardous waste
- Marine pollutants
- Matches
- Nail polish remover
- Oil or gas
- Paint cans
- Rubbing alcohol
- Signal flares
- Weed killer
If you have questions about whether specific items are hazardous, or you have general questions about what you are allowed to pack into your moving truck, then contact your local branch of the Department of Transportation or a moving advisor at Penske Truck Rental.
Taking these necessary steps is vital to protecting yourself and your property. It is also important for protecting your rental truck and ensuring the safety of other drivers on the road.
Have a question or want to reserve your next Penske moving truck? Contact the experts at Penske Truck Rental by calling 1-888-996-5415 or chat live with a Penske representative by clicking here.
By "Move Ahead" Staff