Beginners Guide: The Art of Renting A U-Haul (2024)

In this article:

• Why rent a Uhaul?
• Size Matters: How Big of A Truck Do You Need?
• Pick A Time: Scheduling the move
• insurance… do I really need it?
• It’s Showtime: Picking up the truck
• Making The Drop: Returning the truck

So you're ready to move but none of your friends has a truck, or you have a ton of stuff and you don't want to make multiple trips. Sounds like it’s time to rent a U-Haul.

But maybe you don't know where to start. Well don't worry because in this guide we will cover all the steps about renting a U-Haul, so you will be ready to play furniture Tetris with all your belongings.

Renting a U-Haul is the simplest way to move everything at once. They're easy to rent and great for long-distance moves. You can pick up a U-Haul in one city and drop it off in another.

U-Haul offers many types of vehicles for rent, including vans, pickup trucks, car trailers, box trailers, and box trucks of different sizes. This means you can find something suitable for whatever you need to move.

It’s important to know:

• You must be at least 18 to rent a U-Haul.
• If you rent from a third party, the age restriction may be higher.
• You will need a valid driver's license and another form of ID with a matching name, like a debit card.

First, decide how big a truck you need based on how much stuff you have to move. For example, a small 10-foot truck can move things from a small apartment, but a big 26-foot truck is needed for moving four or more fully furnished rooms.

Think about whether you're someone who has just a few belongings or a lot of items. Also, consider if you need extra tools like moving blankets, boxes, or dollies to help with heavy items.

Remember, not every place will have all the tools available, so choosing what you need is important.

Choose your pick-up and drop-off times, and where you'll pick up the truck. You can book the truck and any moving tools you need by calling the nearest rental place. Find a U-Haul location by searching online or visiting uhaul. You can also book directly on their website.

If you're moving with friends or a partner, you’ll want to add them as additional drivers, which might cost a bit extra but is useful if they'll help with driving

When booking, you'll be asked about getting extra insurance for the truck. It's a good idea to consider this because your personal car insurance probably won't cover damage to the rental truck.

If you don't get the U-Haul insurance and something happens, you might have to pay for the damages yourself.

Even though it costs a bit more, it's worth it for the peace of mind, especially since the rental truck is likely bigger and harder to drive than your car.

When you go to pick up the truck, they'll need to see your driver's license and will ask for a payment deposit. You'll pay the full amount after you bring the truck back. They'll go through the rental agreement with you, explaining what you should and shouldn't do with the truck.

Before you take the truck, you'll check it over with a staff member. This means looking for any existing damage, plus noting the mileage and how much fuel is in it. This step is crucial because if there's damage when you return it that wasn't noted before, you could be responsible for it.

Here's a tip: Take a photo of the dashboard showing the mileage and fuel gauge. You need to return the truck with the same amount of fuel it had when you got it. Even though they'll write down the fuel level, having your own photo is a good backup.

After your move, hopefully, everything went smoothly with no issues with the truck, the moving tools, or your back. Return the vehicle to the designated drop-off location you chose when you booked it. When it's time to pay, U-Haul charges a set price for renting the truck and any equipment you used, plus a fee for each mile you drove.

If you didn't refill the fuel to the level it was at the start, you'll also pay for the missing fuel. But, be aware that refueling through U-Haul is much more expensive than doing it yourself. After returning the truck, an employee will check it with you for any new damages to make sure everything is returned as expected.

What happens if I damage the Truck?

If you damaged the U-Haul truck and bought extra insurance, you don't have to worry because the insurance will cover the damage. But if you didn't buy the extra insurance, you'll have to pay for the repairs. It's tough, but that's how it works. As long as you take good care of the truck and bring it back just like you got it, everything should be fine.

Renting a U-haul is an easy and convenient way to move all your things in one go for any DIY mover. Driving a larger truck can be a bit scary, but as long as you are careful with the vehicle and follow the steps above, you will have nothing to worry about.

Unsure if YOU want to haul?

Using a U-Haul can be super convenient, but maybe you don't want to move everything yourself. At iMoving.com we have all the tools to quickly connect you with reliable and affordable movers in your area to take the worry and stress out of moving. Check out iMoving.com today