Whether you are planning a household or commercial move, rental trucks are convenient ways to transport a lifetime of belongings and memories to your new destination.

Summer 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.

Penske reminds consumers that under its rental agreement flammable, explosive or otherwise hazardous materials may not be transported in its rental vehicles. Consumers should avoid transporting items such as propane tanks, paint thinner, pesticides, fertilizer, charcoal, and lighter fluid.

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.

Hazardous Materials Best Practices

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 or weed whacker, make sure to drain the gasoline and oil completely until the tank is dry. Any amount of gasoline and oil can lead to build-up of highly combustible vapor.

When packing your truck, we recommend avoiding the following additional items:

Aerosols, ammunition and guns, antifreeze, automobile batteries, cleansers containing bleach or ammonia, compressed gasses, hazardous waste, marine pollutants, matches, nail polish remover, oil or gas, paint cans, rubbing alcohol, signal flares, and 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 the protection of yourself and your property. It is also important to your rental truck and 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