After spending over four years in the moving industry, helping others relocate, moving myself in and out of college every year, and settling into my first apartment, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the hassles that accompany larger moves. But when I moved again, this time into a storage unit, with more belongings and assembled furniture, I realized it was time to see for myself what moving with a rental truck would be like. So, here’s my personal, honest review of U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share as a moving industry expert.
Table of Contents
Why I Chose U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share: A Comparison
Before diving into U-Haul’s specifics, let me explain why I chose this company. Working in the labor-only moving space, I’ve encountered many customers who’ve had to adjust their UniMovers reservations because their U-Haul wasn’t available at the time they requested it. Despite this reputation, U-Haul remains one of the more affordable moving truck rental options.
In my search for a truck rental in Cedar Rapids, IA, I considered Budget, Penske, and U-Haul. Budget didn’t have the right size truck available in my area, so that was an easy decision. Penske’s quote for a 16-foot truck was over $500, partly because I planned to pick up the truck in one location and drop it off at another. When I recalculated for a round-trip, it still came to $209, which was far more than I wanted to spend.
That’s when I turned to U-Haul. For a 15-foot box truck, I was quoted just $29.99 plus $1.99 per mile. Given the stark contrast in pricing, my choice was clear.
Choosing the Right Truck Size
You might wonder how I settled on a 15-foot truck. This decision was guided by my industry experience and U-Haul’s own recommendations for truck size. I also factored in the size of my storage unit (5’x10’) to estimate my needs.
Was this the right choice? Not exactly. More on that in the “Moving Day” section.
Booking Experience with U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share
U-Haul’s website is easy to navigate, and the reservation process is straightforward until you hit the “extras” section. Like many businesses, U-Haul tries to upsell additional services and products. While some of these might be useful for others, I opted to skip most of them.
U-Haul’s Communication
In terms of communication, U-Haul was a bit much for my taste. I received several emails after booking, including reminders to hire movers through their Moving Help platform. For someone like me who already had movers lined up, these extra emails felt unnecessary and difficult to unsubscribe from.
Do You Really Need All the Packing Materials?
While not exclusive to U-Haul, I think it’s worth discussing the packing materials they try to sell you (and where you can find them cheaper).
- Boxes: Yes, you need boxes, but not for everything. Use them for fragile and smaller items, but consider skipping them for bedding, hanging clothes, and larger, durable items. Large garbage bags work great for these. However, if you’re doing a long-distance move and are afraid these items will get damaged, play it safe with more boxes.
- Moving Blankets: These are optional. I used fleece blankets I already owned instead of renting moving blankets. Just be mindful of covering anything that could easily get scuffed or dinged, especially if you’re dragging items across floors. Of course, you should only use moving blanket alternatives that are thick and durable themselves, and nothing you’d be heartbroken over if they get banged up in the process.
- Ratchet Straps: These are a must if you’re using a moving truck. They prevent your items from shifting during transit.
- Dollies: Whether you need a dolly depends on what you’re moving and your crew. If you’re handling heavy or bulky items or have a long distance to cover, consider renting one. Otherwise, you’ll probably be just fine without it.
In case you do need them, you can rent just about any of these items to save some money. You may even be able to source them from friends or family. For moving boxes, I recommend reaching out to a local store, like a grocery or clothing store, to see if they’ll set aside some boxes from their daily deliveries for free.
Moving Day
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Tips from a Moving Industry Expert
Before getting into my U-Haul experience, here are a few tips to make your move smoother:
- Allow Plenty of Time: I highly recommend giving yourself more time than you think you’ll need. For my U-Haul rental, I booked an 8-hour window, which was double what I probably needed. If you’re moving without professional movers or have other factors affecting your timing, consider tripling your estimated time.
- Pack in Advance: This might seem obvious, but it’s essential. Having everything ready to go before your moving day reduces stress and makes the loading process smoother.
- Have a Backup Plan: Things can go wrong—equipment might not be available, something might break, or you could need to make unexpected purchases. Build a cushion into your timeline, have backup options, and budget for the unexpected.
- Use the same pickup and drop-off location if you can. Not only will this save you a lot of money, but it will also allow you to be more familiar with the location during drop-off.
My U-Haul Experience
Pick Up
This U-Haul service is supposed to allow you access to rentals around the clock. To accomplish this, you can check in for your reservation online or on their app. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to go.
I was scheduled to pick up a 15-foot truck at 8:00 am from a local gas station that partnered with U-Haul. Knowing U-Haul’s reputation, I arrived 20 minutes late, expecting a delay. Unfortunately, when I tried to check in online, my 15-foot truck still wasn’t available. There was no option to switch to an available piece of equipment or search nearby. As a result, I had to call customer support just to be told to go inside and talk to an attendant. After speaking with a very busy, but kind, attendant, I ended up taking an 11-foot truck instead. While the process was frustrating, I was able to get on the road by 8:45 am.
Loading & Unloading With a Labor-Only Moving Company
I utilized labor-only moving services to pack up my belongings from my apartment into the U-Haul rental and then unload them into my storage unit. This side of the move was straightforward, and I could just sit back and relax while my moving crew took care of everything. Organizing hiring labor-only movers and a truck rental saved me $100s of dollars on my move and allowed me to stay in control of my belongings.
Since I originally rented a 15-foot truck, I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t be able to fit everything in on one level. Keep in mind, you can and should take advantage of vertical space in a moving truck, but I knew I didn’t have enough stuff to do that. Therefore, I wanted to keep everything on one level to avoid shifting. More ratchet straps would help you avoid this issue.
When the movers started loading the truck, I was surprised to find that an 11-foot truck was still longer than I needed for my one-bedroom apartment. Since moving again, I’ve acquired more things and am confident I would fill one level of the 11-foot truck with no issues. So if you’re just getting started and don’t have anything more than basic furniture and apartment essentials, you’ll most likely be fine with the smallest truck size. Note, there are some pretty small trailers and vans that my stuff definitely would not have fit in.
Drop Off
Dropping off the U-Haul rental was straightforward. I parked in the designated area, took a photo of the mileage, and went inside to return the key. While the attendant took longer than expected to assist me, the overall process was smooth.
Driving the Truck: What to Expect
Driving a U-Haul truck is a unique experience, especially if you’re not used to large vehicles. I compared it to driving a loaded-down truck and trailer or a Sprinter Van-RV. As someone who feels uncomfortable driving larger vehicles than a small SUV, I had my reservations. Despite my initial concerns, I found it surprisingly easy to drive.
Tips for Easily Driving a U-Haul Truck
- Load the truck properly to keep the weight centered and avoid shifting during transit.
- Plan your route ahead of time to avoid sharp turns and rough roads. You should drive the potential routes in your personal vehicle first, if possible.
- Consider having a buddy follow behind you to help with merging and lane changes. You most likely won’t have access to a rearview mirror.
- Acknowledge the limitations associated with driving a box truck. If you’re used to driving a car or even a pickup truck, you’ll want to quickly get on board with steady acceleration and deceleration, slow and wide turns, and leaving plenty of distance between you and the person in front of you in case you have to brake quickly. All of these things help avoid accidents, avoid damage to your belongings, and keep you safe.
Conclusion: Would I Recommend U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share?
Overall, my experience with U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share was mostly positive. It’s one of the most affordable options, especially if you book through a dedicated U-Haul center. That said, I wouldn’t quite call it “24/7” given the service disruptions I encountered and the occasional need for on-site assistance.
If you’re new to driving a large truck, take it slow, plan your route ahead of time, and consider hiring moving labor to help with loading and unloading. Build in extra time for unexpected delays, because something almost always goes wrong on moving day.
While there are other rental companies out there, U-Haul continues to be a go-to for budget-conscious movers. Like with any logistics-heavy experience, a bit of flexibility and patience will go a long way. Expect some hiccups, and you’ll get through it just fine.
FAQs
U-Haul’s truck share is relatively affordable. A 10-foot box truck starts at $19.99 plus $0.99 per mile, while a 26-foot truck costs more. Check U-Haul’s website for accurate quotes.
To save money on a rental truck, accurately estimate your space needs, return the truck to the same location if possible, and plan your route to minimize mileage.
For DIY moves, U-Haul is a solid choice. It’s affordable and puts you in control. But make sure to have backup plans in case something goes wrong. Service delays should be anticipated to ensure minimal disruptions to your moving day. U-Haul offers a $50 guarantee if they can’t fulfill your reservation.
U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share is a self-service program that lets you pick up and return rental equipment like trucks, trailers, and dollies outside of regular business hours using the U-Haul app. It’s designed to add flexibility to your moving schedule by removing the need for in-person interaction.
While convenient, the system isn’t perfect. Delays, technical issues, and missing or mismatched equipment can sometimes throw a wrench in your plans. It’s a helpful option, but one that works best when you build in extra time and have a backup plan.
Ashlyn is a homegrown Iowan (go Cyclones!). She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications. Now, she serves as UniMovers' Director of Operations. In her free time, she loves to try new restaurants, travel, watch football, and spend time with her dog!
To get in contact with her regarding blog partnerships at UniMovers please email blog@unimovers.com.
