Moving and relocating to another place is always a tedious process. However, customers can simplify this process by hiring a competent rental truck service. U-Haul, for instance, is one such company that offers affordable and easy provisions for truck rentals. With over 75 years of experience and 23,000 locations nationwide, U-Haul provides a vast fleet of services and trucks to cater to customers’ needs. So, customers can consider renting a U-Haul truck when relocating.
How to choose the right U-Haul truck size
There are a few factors that customers need to consider when choosing a U-Haul truck.
Size of the home
When choosing a moving truck from the different truck options, customers must first consider the size of the home or the number of items they want to bring along. For instance, those who live in a one-bedroom or studio apartment can opt for a smaller cargo or a truck. On the other hand, those who live in a house or an apartment with several bedrooms will need a bigger truck to fit their belongings. Not picking the correct truck size might add to unnecessary U-Haul truck rental costs, as it can result in multiple trips. Otherwise, customers might also end up paying for a huge truck that is not required.
Number of bulky items
Large appliances and furniture also influence the truck size. For instance, items like refrigerators, beds, washers, and couches need a lot of space in the cargo. So, customers who have multiple appliances should opt for bigger trucks. They should also account for outdoor items, such as grills and patios, as they may have to be hauled to the new location.
Number of boxes
Besides accounting for the more oversized items separately, the customer must also consider the number of boxes that must be moved. Boxes are often large and bulky, so they can quickly eat up the truck space, especially if poorly packed. Therefore, it is crucial to consider this factor when selecting a truck size.
Distance of the move
When moving a long distance, customers must ensure that everything fits in a single trip, as multiple long trips are not feasible. This is why it is vital to pick the right size of truck that can accommodate all the stuff in a single go. On the other hand, customers can choose a smaller truck if the distance is short, as taking multiple trips is feasible.
Assistance with loading and unloading
Those who have help loading and unloading the vehicles may find it easier to manage the larger truck. But, when a single person relocates, they have to handle the loading and unloading by themselves, so it is practical for them to consider a smaller truck. Before deciding on the truck size, customers must assess if they will have any assistance on the moving day and consider the size accordingly.
Sometimes, a single person might want to move but may not have the necessary assistance to load or unload the cargo. In this case, they will need to book a larger truck and hire someone to help make the task more efficient and easier.
Available U-Haul truck sizes
The truck size can dramatically influence the U-haul rental rates. Knowing the available size can help one estimate the price they may have to pay. For instance, a cargo van is ideal for small moves and business deliveries, a pickup truck is meant for short-distance moves with furniture and appliances, a 10′ moving truck works for one-bedroom apartments, a 15′ moving truck is great for two-bedroom apartments with additional storage options, a 20′ moving truck is ideal for two- to three-bedroom homes with ample space, and a 26′ moving truck is the largest option for long-distance travel with maximum capacity.
Travel location
U-Haul can help customers get one-way rentals to travel long distances or use local moving services—the basic difference lies in where one picks up and returns the rental trucks. In the local moves, the customer returns the truck to the same location as the pickup. But, in the one-way rentals, the drop-off location is different.
Age requirements to rent a U-Haul truck
The customer must be 18 years old to rent a U-Haul truck. The requirements are similar to those of most other rental companies. Sometimes, companies set the minimum age as 24 or older. However, they let drivers between 18 and 23 rent the vehicle. In this case, the driver may have to pay an extra fee.
U-Haul truck rentals nearby
Typically, U-Haul prices range between $90 and $110 per day for their local moving service. However, the U-Haul truck rental price one way is approximately three times as much as this per-day pricing.
10 ft. truck
- Local move (50 miles) costs about $90
- Long-distance move (1,000 miles) costs about $495
15 ft. truck
- Local move (50 miles) costs about $100
- Long-distance move (1,000 miles) costs about $520
17 ft. truck
- Local move (50 miles) costs about $110
- Long-distance move (1,000 miles) costs about $600
20 ft. truck
- Local move (50 miles) cost about $110
- Long-distance move (1,000 miles) costs about $780
26 ft. truck
- Local move (50 miles) costs about $110
- Long-distance move (1,000 miles) costs about $1,040
Customers should note that U-Haul one way rental rate does not include fees, taxes, and insurance.
U-Haul truck rentals per mile
On average, a local move of 50 miles with U-Haul costs about $1.39 per mile. However, a long-distance move costs $0.80 per mile for 1000 miles. U-Haul does not charge by the hour. The company has a flat fee per truck.
U-Haul also charges $40 extra for every additional day the customer keeps the rental truck. The company also charges $20 per day for towing devices and trailers.