When U really need to HAUL A$$ U Haul
Picture this…
An emergency call from the teenage sons who are stranded in the middle of the New Jersey Turnpike where their car suddenly "stopped going". I call AAA to find that they will only tow for 3 miles and then charge $2.50 a mile, but wait, this bargain is reserved for after I get the NJ Turnpike guys to tow the car off the Turnpike. Let’s see, that would be about $350+ for towing. Naturally, my husband is out of town (he always is when disaster strikes). I try to avoid panicking. I also am going to try to avoid going to the poorhouse to get the car back in town.
It’s Sunday afternoon on Memorial Day Weekend. It’s not sunny, but it’s not bad. Most people are relaxing, but my babies are stranded at a rest stop on the Turnpike! I can’t seem to find an "Emergency" tow company that would answer the phone or call back… and who knows what the cost will be? What are my options? As I looked through the Yellow Pages under Towing, I happened to see an ad for Trailers and a U-Haul place that rented them and they said they were open 7 days a week!
I called U-Haul, and they were (gasp) open! I found out that they rent a "tow dolly" thing for only $39.99 to tow a car! They can even put a hitch on your car if you don’t have one! They will install the whole thing! They promise it really works! Yes! Wait! Hold it! ME?!? Tow a car!?!? What can I do, my babies need me!
– U-HAUL –
U-Haul has been in business for over 50 years. Their bright orange trucks and trailers are a staple of Americans on the move. There are over 14,500 independent U Haul outlets in addition to the 1,100 centers owned by the company itself. U-Haul was the first company to pilot the move-it-yourself concept and today holds the number one position in that field. Amazingly, it was all started with a married couple, Mr. And Mrs. Shoen, and their vision of trailers for rent.
– My Experience –
The clerks were friendly and helpful. There were not warm and fuzzy, but I’ll take technical accuracy over genteel suaveness anyday in this type of situation.
The equipment I rented was in excellent condition, in fact it looked brand new. The woman at the desk got the trailer hooked up to my hitch and patiently explained how it worked. She also took a lot of time highlighting the safety features. This may have been due to the nature of the questions I was asking: "Are there a lot of accidents with these things?" "Are they really safe?" "Are you sure normal people can drive with this?" "Can’t the car just fall off the tow dolly?" She also gave me a booklet to use when I got to the disabled car that explained how to properly attach the car to the trailer.
I’ll never forget the final piece of helpful advice that the guy at the front desk made: "These babies will jackknife in a minute if you drive backwards". Ahh, how comforting. And so, I drove out of the U-Haul place with the tow dolly jangling and bouncing behind my 4 Runner wondering if I would ever make it back.
– What’s so good about U-Haul? –
Awesome web site
You can find out everything you ever wanted to know about every single thing you can rent and/or buy from U-Haul. There is advice about moving, what you will need, locations of outlets, equipment availability and reservations… and more. The site is intuitive, easy to navigate, well organized, and fast.
Low Decks
This is a big selling point with U-Haul, and from personal experience, I can attest to the importance of having a low deck. Most moving trucks that you rent are fairly high off the ground (50") for unloading. This necessitates a steeper or longer ramp, both of which will make the effort of moving your stuff more difficult. U-Haul trucks are designed with lower decks (24")specifically to make your job easier.
Free Storage
On one way move truck rentals, U-Haul throws in a month of free storage in any one of their 1,000 self- storage facilities nationwide. This storage can be before or after your move. All you need to do is make a paid reservation.
Minimum Age
You can be 18 and still rent from U-Haul. Try that in a rental car company!
800# for Emergencies
There was also an 800# all over the equipment, in the booklet, and on my rental papers which I could use to call U-Haul if I needed to speak to someone in case of an emergency. I never had to use the number, because the U-Haul representative had me well prepared for my tasks, but I sure felt more confident and comfortable knowing that this was available.
Vehicles in Good Shape
I have had the occasion to rent 3 times from U-Haul. This most recent time, and prior to that, two separate truck rentals. In all cases the equipment I rented was in good condition and worked well. My trucks even had built in dollies to use for hauling my stuff.
Knowledgeable Help
Like I said, it’s not room service at the Waldorf, but these men and women are not afraid to get their hands dirty and they know their equipment.
Peripherals
U-Haul has everything you need to move. You can rent large blankets to wrap your furniture, buy boxes and tape, wardrobes, have a hitch installed on your car, you name it. They also have very helpful free booklets which are filled with tips, tricks, and facts to make your move go as smoothly as possible.
Low Cost
You’ll save a ton of money by doing it yourself. And compared to other companies (namely Ryder) U-Haul is extremely competitive.
– Fast Facts –
Is there a U-Haul near you? Check out the location finder:
http://www.uhaul.com/finder.html
Need some do-it-yourself moving tips? Here you go:
http://www.uhaul.com/customer/movers_tips.html
Did you know that U-Haul is the number 1 installer of permanent trailer hitches in the US? Something to think about if you’re in the market for a hitch.
– The Epilogue –
Oh yeah. Did I make it? Yes! If you were on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound on Sunday May 28th, you undoubtedly saw me. It was the first time I ever drove the whole trip in the right lane. I set the cruise control to 50 mph and crossed myself (and I’m not even Catholic). I was extremely careful never to get into a situation where I would have to back up and I stuck to the main roads. All told, I put over 250 miles on that trailer. I never want to do it again. I have since upgraded my AAA membership to the Plus status, which includes 100 miles of free towing. Live and learn. 
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