Moving into a new home is exciting, stressful, and often labor-intensive, irrespective of whether you are engaging the services of reliable long-distance movers. While taking inventory of your moving boxes and furniture pieces, you may wonder:How will I ever move all of this stuff?Luckily for DIY movers, U-Haul provides many moving services and rental options to make a transition more manageable.
We’ve sifted through the company’s trailer rental services to help you find the right tow-behind moving container for your load size and vehicle type. U-Haul offers many moving services beyond trailer rentals, including towing equipment, trailer hitch installations, andmoving truck rentals. We’ll discuss which options work best for different moving needs and home types.
Then, we’ll review U-Haul’s price points and renter requirements to ensure you’re well-prepared for your next move.
U-Haul Rental Requirements
U-Haul rentals are highly accessible due to their relatively loose rental requirements.
All customers must havea valid driver’s licenseto rent U-Haul trailers and moving trucks. The company requires that trailer renters be at least 16 years of age and truck renters be at least 18 years of age. All customers must also provide a phone number for pickup and drop-off communication.
U-Haul doesn’t require a security deposit if you pay by major credit card or debit card. However, you can only make an online reservation with an American Express, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card. You’ll put the card on file at the reservation and have the option to pay in cash when returning the rental. If you pay for your rental with cash, you’ll have a $60-$75 deposit due at pickup.
U-Haul Trailer Rental Options
You might be wondering how to pick the right moving truck size for your movement. Not to worry, U-Haul offers three different trailer size options for various moving needs. These cargo carriers and trailers are suited for towing behind vehicles equipped with a receiver hitch and ball mount.
If you’d like to use a tow-behind trailer for your move but don’t have a hitch, you can schedule a tow hitch installation at U-Haul or refer to a tow hitch installation guide. The company has over 1,500 installation locations to help outfit your vehicle with the right equipment.
If your vehicle already has a tow hitch, you’re all set to rent a trailer. The following sections will explore U-Haul’s cargo carrier and utility trailer rental options. We’ll list approximate pricing for in-town and long-distance moves based on quotes from the U-Haul website.
We generated the quotes for:
- A local/in-town move from Cincinnati to Dayton, Ohio.
- A long-distance/one-way movefrom Savannah, Ga., to Birmingham, Ala.
U-Haul’s long-distance or one-way trailer rental policy includes three days of use and unlimited miles. Your specific rates will depend on your selected trailer size, pickup location, and moving date. As one of the flat fee moving services, U-Haul’s local or in-town rates include one day of use and unlimited miles ata flat fee.
Cargo Trailers
U-Haul’s cargo trailers attach to your vehicle’s tow hitch to provide additional storage and hauling capacity. Each trailer has a weather-resistant hardcover, lockable latch, and unlimited miles.
| Size Options | Features | Price |
| 4-by-8 | Smallest enclosed cargo trailer option A load capacity of 1,600 pounds Includes a low loading deck, padded rails, and lightweight design | In-town – $38 One-way – $59 |
| 5-by-8 | U-Haul’s most popular cargo trailer option Features a fully enclosed top and lockable door for added security A load capacity of 1,800 pounds | In-town – $52 One-way – $79 |
| 6-by-12 | Largest enclosed cargo trailer option A load capacity of 2,500 pounds Features automatic hydraulic surge brakes for safe towing | In-town – $59 One-way – $139 |
Utility Trailers
U-Haul’s utility trailers provide unlimited vertical storage space for tall furniture items or recreational vehicles. Each trailer includes an open-top design and heavy-duty tie-down rings to keep your items secure during transport.
| Size Options | Features | Price |
| 4-by-7 | Smallest utility trailer option Features low loading deck and tie-down rings Suitable for towing behind any vehicle A load capacity of 1,770 pounds | In-town – $14.95 One-way – $14.95 |
| 5-by-8 | Midsize option great for towing tall furniture items U-Haul’s most economical trailer option A load capacity of 1,890 pounds | In-town – $18.95 One-way – $18.95 |
| 5-by-9 with ramp | U-Haul’s most popular utility trailer option Features a fold-down loading ramp Includes a chock for transporting motorcycles A load capacity of 1,650 | In-town – $52 One-way – $79 |
| 6-by-12 | A load capacity of 2,670 pounds Includes a low loading deck and automatichydraulic surge brakes Great for large, local moves | In-town – $29.95 One-way – $29.95 |
| 6-by-12 with ramp | A load capacity of 3,710 pounds Features heavy-duty tie-downs and spring-assisted ramp for safe and easy loading Great for moving motorcycles or golf carts | In-town – $34.95 One-way – $34.95 |
U-Haul Truck Rental
If a trailer or towing device isn’t your best option, you can still avoid hiring a moving company by renting a U-Haul moving truck. You can even tow a trailer behind the U-Haul truck to double your moving capacity. You could even pay someone to haul your junk around if need be.
U-Haul’s Truck Share system allows you to reserve and pick up a truck from one of the company’s 20,000 rental locations around the country. The service is available 24/7, allowing you to reserve and retrievea moving truckon your own schedule.
U-Haul includes mileage limits in truck rental contracts, so keep that in mind when planning your move. You’ll get an estimate for rental rates when you retrieve a free quote online. Based on the quotes we found, a move from Cincinnati to Dayton, Ohio, includes up to one day of use and 65 miles. A move from Raleigh, N.C. to Adamsville, Ala., includes up to four days of use and 664 miles.
Our guide ranks U-Haul among our most affordable moving truck rental companies.
The table below shows U-Haul’s truck rental options:
| Options | Features |
| Pickup truck | Suited to haul small loads or lawn equipment Seats three adults A load capacity of 2,280 pounds A towing capacityof 6,000 pounds |
| Cargo van | Great for moving appliances, mattresses, and furniture items Seats two adults A load capacity of 4,030 pounds |
| 10-foot truck | Smallest box truck option Perfect for moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment A load capacity of 2,850 pounds A towing capacity of 6,000 pounds |
| 15-foot truck | Commonly used formoving two-bedroom apartmentsand condos Features an EZ load ramp, Mom’s Attic, and seating room for three adults A load capacity of 6,385 pounds A towing capacity of 10,000 pounds |
| 20-foot truck | Great for moving two to three-bedroom homes Spacious enough for large furniture pieces, mattresses, and moving boxes Features a loading ramp and Mom’s Attic A load capacity of 5,700 pounds A towing capacity of 7,500 pounds |
| 26-foot truck | Largest truck rental option Suited for moving large families Features loading ramp, Mom’s Attic, and seating for three adults A load capacity of 12,859 pounds A towing capacity of 10,000 pounds |
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to expect with a U-Haultrailer or truck rental, you’re on your way to a smooth and efficient DIY move. We think U-Haul’s flexible scheduling and wide selection of moving containers make it one of the best rental companies in the biz.
You’re sure to find an option that suits your needs and provides seamless transportation to your new home. You’ll be able to unload, return the rental, and bask in a move well done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hitch ball size do I need for a U-Haul trailer?
You should use an 18.5- to 18.75-inch ball height to tow a U-Haul trailer. Determine your ball mount’s height by measuring from the ground up to the middle of the mounted hitch ball. If the ball isn’t within the optimal height range, purchase the size you need from U-Haul’s wide selection of trailer hitch balls or a local auto parts store.
Where do I drop off my U-Haul trailer after my move?
Before trailer pickup, you’ll complete a rental contract detailing pickup and drop-off locations, rental rates, and the rental period. The contract will specifically state where and when to return the trailer after your move.
If you rented a trailer for an in-town move, you’d return it to the U-Haul location where you picked it up. Otherwise, one-way move agreements state the drop-off location and contact information to arrange a smooth rental return.
How do I load a U-Haul trailer for moving?
Proper loading techniquesare crucial to a safe and efficient U-Haul trailer move. Here are some tips for loading your trailer properly:
- Load your heaviest items first and push them to the front of the trailer.
- Aim to load 60% of your cargo’s weight in the portion of the trailer closest to your vehicle.
- Stack lighter items atop heavy ones and toward the tail end of the trailer.
- Always tie down your belongings with straps or ropes; this technique prevents items from shifting during transport or tumbling off of an open-top utility trailer.
Can I move my extra car with a U-Haul trailer?
U-Haul offers additional towing equipment options to help you transport an additional vehicle. Get moving with one of these four rental options:
- Rent a tow dolly to pull an additional vehicle.
- Select an auto transport car trailer to bring your extra car for the move.
- Borrow one of U-Haul’s motorcycle trailers or ramp trailers to tow motorcycles and golf carts to your new home.
What is a U-Box, and why should I rent one for my move?
U-Boxes are portable storage units perfect for moving your belongings. Here’s how they work:
U-Haul delivers the container to your home so you can pack it on your preferred timeline. Alternatively, you can hire someone to load the box for you. U-Box containers are rentable by the month, so you can keep them as long as you need.
Once you’re ready to get moving, U-Haul will pick up the container and transport it to your new home. Otherwise, you can load the U-Box onto a trailer to move it yourself. If you’re traveling between homes, U-Haul will store the container at a secure facility until you need it delivered.
You should consider renting a U-Box if you’removing cross-country, need extra storage, or must make an emergency move.
Elisabeth Beauchamp
Senior Staff Writer
Elisabeth Beauchamp is a content producer for Today’s Homeowner’s Lawn and Windows categories. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Journalism and Linguistics. When Elisabeth isn’t writing about flowers, foliage, and fertilizer, she’s researching landscaping trends and current events in the agricultural space. Elisabeth aims to educate and equip readers with the tools they need to create a home they love.
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Lora Novak
Senior Editor
Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.
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