Rubber is Meeting the Road

I have always found one of the best economic indicators is Rental Trucks. If the economy is moving, rental truck use will tell the story and that is why I pay close attention to that activity.

Salem's largest collection of Rental Trucks is located at the airport which makes it easy for me to observe the usage with passing by there several times a week. And, their recent increase in activity was the reason I dropped in today to ask questions the office staff. You see, the parking lot was almost empty as compared to what has become normal in the last few years.

My first questions were, where have all the Rental Trucks gone and are people moving again in Salem? The managers answer was, yes people are moving in Salem but more are moving out and not just around town. He went on to say that about two weeks ago he had over forty rental trucks on the lot and today he is down to practically nothing.

The next question for him was where are people moving. The answer, it breaks down in thirds. One third are one-way rentals to individuals moving out of Oregon, another third are one-way rentals to individuals leaving Salem for other parts of the State and the remaining third are a mix of local businesses and individuals renting which are daily returns.

My next question, where are those going that are leaving Oregon? His answer, Texas is #1 by far with Indiana and Illinois about equal as seconds. Some one-way truck renters have told him of their having found good paying work and reasonable housing in Texas in less than a month and thus left Oregon in a hurry.

Texas I can understand but Indiana and Illinois? Go figure.

Not to despair as there is always a silver lining. Maybe we can find work driving empty Rental Trucks back to Oregon but don't forget to take an extra seat cushion along as empty trucks make for a rough ride.