The best thing about U-Haul is its nationwide presence. You can find a U-Haul location in nearly, if not all, major cities in the United States, as well as book its services online. You will certainly have an easy time booking a U-Haul rental for your do-it-yourself moves, a fact that makes it so easy to enjoy a mobile lifestyle.
But don’t just book a U-Haul truck without knowing these things first. You may just find that you actually made a smarter decision and saved money on it, too.
Ask About Equipment for Local and Interstate Moves
While U-Haul may have branches nationwide, not all of its moving vehicles can be rented for long-distance moves. You have to tell the staff whether you’re making a local or an interstate move so you can be shown the suitable fleet of vehicles.
For local moves, U-Haul offers its fleet of pickup trucks, cargo vans, and open trailers.
Extra Fees for Extra Days or Mileage
While U-Haul moving equipment can be rented for a specific number of distance or days, the company also allows its customers to extend the rental period for an extra charge. You may pay, for example, $0.40 for every extra mile beyond the agreed/allowed distance or pay between $20 and $40 per extra day for trucks, trailers and towing devices.
You should inform the staff of the local U-Haul pickup station about changes in the mileage or days of rental. You don’t want them to think that you skipped town with the company’s equipment.
Gas Mileage Can Be an Issue
When it comes to gas mileage, U-Haul’s rental trucks are gas guzzlers. This is an unfortunate fact but when you consider the costs of hiring a full-service moving company, you will likely take the U-Haul route.
The gas guzzler reputation is especially true for the larger trucks. The 26-foot U-Haul moving truck, for example, only gets 10 miles/gallon while the 10-foot truck gets 12 miles/gallon. For short-distance moves, it isn’t such a big deal but for long-distance moves (i.e., interstate), the fuel costs will add up.
You must then choose the right size for a U-Haul truck so the gas mileage issue doesn’t put too much of a damper on your relocation costs. You will want to hire a single truck to make a single trip from your old home to your new one, thus, save on fuel.
Don’t worry about making multiple trips to other places for your moving supplies and equipment. U-Haul branches also sell a wide range of moving supplies and equipment from boxes, covers and bags to wheelchair carriers, bike racks, and trailers for towing.
