Renting a truck in the US + Not activating K1 visa

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Wow, the budget website SUCKS!

I can't even look at the rates to drive from my area to NJ at all...it shows the drop off locations in NJ but it won't allow me to select them.

So stupid!!!

That's b/c they don't allow one-way from Canada to the US. You have to pick a location in the US to make it work. I agree, it sucks and they should spell it out a bit more clearly.

Oh, I see!!!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Wow, the budget website SUCKS!

I can't even look at the rates to drive from my area to NJ at all...it shows the drop off locations in NJ but it won't allow me to select them.

So stupid!!!

That's b/c they don't allow one-way from Canada to the US. You have to pick a location in the US to make it work. I agree, it sucks and they should spell it out a bit more clearly.

Oh, I see!!!

Yeah so like 250 bucks to go from Niagara Falls, NY to New Jersey....

I just really don't want to chance them making me activate my K1, plus all the gas and pollution of driving...picking it up, coming all the way back home (2 hours) driving all the way back down....not worth it to me at all.

[rae_and_scott 1]

Yeah so like 250 bucks to go from Niagara Falls, NY to New Jersey....

I just really don't want to chance them making me activate my K1, plus all the gas and pollution of driving...picking it up, coming all the way back home (2 hours) driving all the way back down....not worth it to me at all.

I understand where you're coming from... but me being the USC, I'm thinking I could go bother with this while Scott packs. It's much cheaper.

*ponders*

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Wow, the budget website SUCKS!

I can't even look at the rates to drive from my area to NJ at all...it shows the drop off locations in NJ but it won't allow me to select them.

So stupid!!!

So does the company, especially for a loooooonnnnnng drive as the OP is considering.

I remember renting a 15' Budget (Penske) truck to move from Dallas to Atlanta. Extremely uncomfortable, the drive took 3 calendar days--and I had to spend more in hotel costs as well as the truck's bucket seats were non-reclining (and I also couldn't lie ACROSS the cab).

In contrast, a U-haul I rented to move from Atlanta to DC was somewhat of an improvement--due to U-haul's bench-seat configuration, I could lie across the cab and drive longer stretches, so the drive took only 2 calendar days (the distance is similar to that from Dallas to Atlanta).

This info would have been good to add to your timeline and siggie.

The time line police are here.

I wouldn't have asked my earlier question about doing the move prior to K-1 interview, had that info been available.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Sometimes you can't put a value on the time it takes to do something like this. There are also a lot of variables that could go wrong.

One other thing to think about, which i think Rae already did so its probably fine, but can you cross the border with the U.S. truck?

[rae_and_scott 1]

Yep, I did that. Sometimes all you need to do is ask the rental company beforehand if it's okay, but I have never filled out a form or anything beyond a verbal agreement (for a rental truck or a regular rental car).

I agree, there are more variables, the main one I would say is the extra time it could take. So again, it's which is more valuable to you, the time or the money. This is certainly a more time consuming option.

If we do change our plans from the Uhaul to this I will let you all know how it goes.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I wouldn't have asked my earlier question about doing the move prior to K-1 interview, had that info been available.

I was joking hon don't worry.

[Cdn_Ali 11]

It is illegal for a Canadian to drive a US registered & insured vehicle in Canada - unless you are importing the vehicle. Despite what you may have been told by the rental companies, unless your US citizen fiance is with you and does the driving, I suspect you will have a hard time crossing the border with the truck if you are alone.

If your fiance is with you, it shouldn't be a problem - except for how to explain why you are bringing a truck load of goods to the US if you aren't activating the K1. If you plan to 'wing it' and don't have a good reason, I wouldn't take the risk. Imagine the expense you will have if you get turned away at the border.

[Cassie 8]

It is illegal for a Canadian to drive a US registered & insured vehicle in Canada - unless you are importing the vehicle. Despite what you may have been told by the rental companies, unless your US citizen fiance is with you and does the driving, I suspect you will have a hard time crossing the border with the truck if you are alone.

If your fiance is with you, it shouldn't be a problem - except for how to explain why you are bringing a truck load of goods to the US if you aren't activating the K1. If you plan to 'wing it' and don't have a good reason, I wouldn't take the risk. Imagine the expense you will have if you get turned away at the border.

I think the OP is planning to activate his visa once the truck is full and he is ready to move.

The first part of this post was what I was thinking about when thinking about trouble at the border (as well as the potential problem about activating the visa).

[Cdn_Ali 11]

Oh right - I misinterpreted the original post. No problem coming back with the full truck if activiating the K1 then. Just make sure your USC fiance is with you when you drive into Canada. I think using a Citizenship card to cross initially would be OK. Obviously they prefer a passport, but the card shows your citizenship.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Just out of curiousity- where does it say it is illegal for a Canadian to drive a US rental car in Canada? We will be renting a car to drive from Rochester to Kingston Ontario and I am the primary driver in the family. My driver's license is Georgia and I am a permanent resident in Georgia. My US born husband will be with me but I am familiar with the roads and the City and he is not - plus I am just a better driver. Where and who says this is illegal?

[Cdn_Ali 11]

It's not illegal if you are a LPR. It's been the law for years but I don't think they really started to crack down on it until recently.

Not sure how to post a link properly so hope this works - here is a discussion about it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...s+car+to+canada

[Saddle Bronc 124]

It is illegal for a Canadian to drive a US registered & insured vehicle in Canada - unless you are importing the vehicle. Despite what you may have been told by the rental companies, unless your US citizen fiance is with you and does the driving, I suspect you will have a hard time crossing the border with the truck if you are alone.

Not true. I have taken an Enterprise rental from DTW to Ayr (at exit/km 268 on 401) without any problems--with an Alberta licence!

If your fiance is with you, it shouldn't be a problem - except for how to explain why you are bringing a truck load of goods to the US if you aren't activating the K1. If you plan to 'wing it' and don't have a good reason, I wouldn't take the risk. Imagine the expense you will have if you get turned away at the border.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks for the link. I checked the CBSA website and could find nothing about this. I know that some US car rentals state that they don't allow Canadian citizens to rent cars to take into Canada but our rental agency didn't, and there was nothing about a Canadian driving a US plated car in Canada. We can certainly arrange for my husband - the US citizen- to do the rental and then I am listed as the additional driver. We have already checked that with the rental agency as well as verifying that the car can cross the border - they just have a form for us to fill out at the rental counter. So, a Georgia DL, an expired green card, a photocopy of the NOA extension letter I didn't receive, my Canadian passport with a valid I-551 stamp until next May, a rental agreement for a week and a return air flight ticket from Rochester back to Atlanta, and in the company of my US husband - hopefully, that will reassure anyone who asks that I am a PR in the US and not resident in Canada, although a Canadian citizen.

(Sorry for sort of hi-jacking the thread). To the OP, any chance your fiance can pick up the rental in the US, cross over and pick you and your belongings up and then return? That is what my fiance did. That would resolve both the driving issues and crossing the border issue.

Edited June 12, 2008 by Kathryn41

[Saddle Bronc 124]

...

(Sorry for sort of hi-jacking the thread). To the OP, any chance your fiance can pick up the rental in the US, cross over and pick you and your belongings up and then return? That is what my fiance did. That would resolve both the driving issues and crossing the border issue.

Excellent suggestion Kathryn.

Tangential (but relevant) experience: we recently moved from Silver Spring to Columbia; on the day of the move, I attempted to rent a U-haul (naively waited till move day to do this), and couldn't get one. Our pastor reserved one from an off-location using his name and card--and then phoned me to see if I could pick it up. I did, the lessor had no issues about this whatsoever.

To amend: the OP can also have the lorry-reservation transferred to his USC fiancée (I profile-checked), and have fiancée do as you suggested.