U-Haul is currently the number one moving company in North America with a whopping 70 years in the industry.
If you need to tow trailers or another vehicle, U-Haul offers trucks for rental.
In this article, we provide 15 facts to answer the most commonly asked questions about using U-Haul trucks.
Table of Contents
Are U-Haul Trucks Automatic Or Manual?
All U-Haul trucks have an automatic transmission and it is known to be easier than a manual to drive. However, driving a long truck is still quite hard, regardless of the type of transmission.
If you come from driving a manual vehicle, it will be hard to hop on an automatic and drive off. You’d need at least a few driving lessons to drive the automatic vehicle safely, but U-Haul does not ask you about this.
If you’re in need of a manual moving truck desperately, you may try calling around for other vendors. It might be difficult to get a manual truck in a specific state, but it is possible.
With that said, U-Haul does not plan on incorporating trucks with a manual transmission.
Can U-Haul Trucks Be Used for Towing?
As one of the leading moving companies in North America, U-Haul has a great hitch installation for its customers. This means that all their trucks are ready-made for towing.
You can choose from a variety of towing vehicles and equipment for moving purposes. The towing truck can be used for moving, camping, or even hauling bikes and ATVs.
There are different packages you can choose from depending on what you’ll be using the towing truck for. The package pricing also depends on where you pick up and drop off the vehicle.
Do All U-Haul Trucks Have Ramps?
To ease the loading and unloading the trucks, all U-Haul trucks, except the 10-foot versions, have ramps. The ramps make it easier for customers to carry heavy items in and out of the trucks.
From the smallest 15-foot truck all the way to the largest 27-foot truck, U-Haul has designed them to have ramps. The design helps customers load and unload heavy items with ease.
On the smaller end, the 10-foot U-Haul truck does not have a ramp installed, such as the bigger trucks. It has a 2.5 feet lower deck, which allows for items to be carried and loaded easily.
Does A U-Haul Have to Stop At Weigh Stations?
All heavy-duty U-Haul trucks have to stop at a weigh station for proper inspection. This also goes for all other moving companies such as Budget, Sears, and Ryder, among others.
To make sure that other road users are safe, heavy vehicles must stop at a weigh station. This is required by law and can change from one state to the other.
In other cases, the GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is determined by the different states. For example, a 10,000-pound truck or vehicle will need to stop in Minnesota but not be required to stop in Idaho.
You can check ahead of time if you’ll need to stop in the state that you’re headed to if you’ll be crossing states. This helps you to plan your stops along your trip and calculate times.
U-Haul trucks have warning labels to warn drivers beforehand if they’ll need to stop at weigh stations.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Commercial Plates?
All U-Haul trucks and cargo vans are registered with either commercial registration plates or passenger plates. This is because moving rental vehicles are regarded as commercial vehicles.
You’re unlikely to be pulled over for the plates on a U-Haul almost in every state. Almost all U-Haul vehicles have Arizona plates.
U-Haul trucks have both commercial and passenger plates. This means that longer and heavier trucks will commercial plates and passenger plates for smaller cargo vans.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Backup Cameras?
Almost all U-Haul trucks now come with the convenience of a backup camera for extra safety. Older models of the 10-foot trucks did not have backup cameras, but they are slowly being replaced.
Backup cameras work great in U-Haul trucks because you need as much view as you can when driving.
Because of the size of the trucks, there’s a limited view of your surroundings. This is where a good backup camera comes in handy.
With a backup camera installed, the risk of damage to the vehicle is greatly reduced.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Air Conditioning?
All U-Haul trucks have air conditioning for those long trips during the summer. The air con can also keep you warm when moving during the cold winter months.
Movers have found it beneficial to order their moving truck ahead of time to make sure that a truck with air con is available when needed. However, this is rather unnecessary because the U-Haul vehicle is likely to have air con installed.
If you notice that the air con is not working in your particular U-Haul, you can request an exchange. Your representative will process a replacement vehicle for you.
Among other things, the air con should be one of the first things to check before driving off. You might need the air con hours later into your trip when there’s little else you can do.
U-Haul will not issue a refund if you find out later on that the vehicle you got does not have a proper air con. It is best to confirm this in the pre-inspection stage.
If you’ll be driving in a very hot climate, it is recommended that you keep hydrated with water or other beverages. This also helps if the air con in your truck suddenly malfunctions or stops working.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Airbags?
Most of the fleet for U-Haul is equipped with airbags and as such, no young children are allowed in the front seat.
In addition to airbags, the driver is required to wear seatbelts at all times when operating the vehicle. Airbags and seatbelts are the first line of defense in crashes and should always be performing optimally.
Airbags are not safe for young children because they can hurt them during a crash. U-Haul trucks are also not equipped with a backseat in order to make space for more cargo.
For parents that want to take their children on the moving trip, a different car will have to be used. This might be inconvenient but is safe for the young children that need car seats.
Airbags, seatbelts, cruise control, and rear-view cameras can be found on many U-Haul trucks. These are basic safety features that limit the risk of injury during crashes.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Bench Seats?
U-Haul trucks can seat up to 4 adults in a bench seat style or 2 adults in a regular seating style. When only 2 seats are provided, these are called the “captain chairs” and the bench style literally a long bench that occupies the entire front row of the truck.
Typically, you’ll find that most trucks only have two adult chairs, but a truck with more seats can also be booked. Often times when people are moving, they’ll likely need the 2-seater truck instead of the four-seater.
One other reason that people prefer the 2-seater style truck is because the bench style seater can be uncomfortable.
Bench seats are usually smaller than normal seats and this can be a problem when driving long distances.
U-Haul also knows that people use multiple cars during the move and so a lot of seats in the truck aren’t necessary.
This also ties in with the truck’s size because bigger trucks usually have more seats. Smaller cargo vans and trucks will mostly have the two-seater style in the interior.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Cruise Control?
More and more U-Haul trucks are now getting cruise control, including the larger ones. Most of the U-Haul 26-foot F-650 vehicles have functioning cruise control.
Even though U-Haul does not list cruise control as an active feature on their trucks, you can still ask for it. It is not guaranteed that you will get a truck with cruise control because of availability issues.
When driving a truck with cruise control, it is recommended to always keep your eyes on the road. Cruise control is great, but with a large truck, the driver must be alert at all times.
U-Haul has a lot of departments and branches throughout North America, but not all of them have the same fleet. Vehicles you find available in one location might not be found in another branch.
It is always best to call ahead and ask for a truck that has all the necessary features you’ll need for your moving day.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Cameras Inside?
U-Haul trucks currently do not have cameras inside, but only have driver-assist cameras. The cameras on the U-Haul trucks are ones that help the driver navigate.
The rear-view camera is a driver-assist camera and not a security camera. A security camera is mounted on the inside of a dashboard for monitoring purposes or theft prevention.
The issue with mounting security cameras on the inside of the vehicle is that it might be infringing on customer privacy. People are concerned about their privacy and a camera makes them feel uneasy.
U-Haul has never had to use security cameras in their trucks and this has worked well in their favor.
The cabin where items are packed in also does not have a camera for monitoring valuables. It is on the owner or driver to make sure that valuables are secure and the door is locked.
One other reason U-Haul might not be investing in all the bells and whistles in their vehicle might be cost. If they keep unnecessary tech out of their trucks, this saves them money to use somewhere else.
Related:
Do U-Haul Trucks Include Dollies?
U-Haul trucks do not include dollies and you can only make reservations that include dollies online.
It is best to plan ahead for your moving day so that you know the extra equipment you’ll need. If you have really heavy objects to carry, then a dolly will come in handy.
Not all U-Haul centers offer dollies and you’ll have to add them to your cart if you’re making your reservations online.
A dolly will also be considered an extra charge and will be added to the overall rental costs. You can rent a dolly at any U-Haul if they have one available.
Do U-Haul Trucks Have a GPS Navigation System?
Unfortunately, U-Haul trucks do not have any in-built navigation systems installed. You are free to come with your own GPS unit or rent one from a third-party company.
Nowadays, a simple smartphone should suffice as a basic GPS navigation system. You can use the phone’s in-built navigation apps.
This seems more convenient, seeing as you have the ability to plan your trip right from the comfort of your home.
You’ll also get an estimate of where your stops will be and where to take breaks and get gas along the way. When using a smartphone, you should be able to download a GPS navigation app.
Both Android and iPhone smartphones will have an app like this available in their respective app stores.
Read more:
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Straps?
U-Haul trucks do not come with straps as they are considered extra moving equipment, and you’d have to order them separately.
Straps are great for securing cargo in the truck when moving your valuables. They come in handy during long-distance moves because valuables will be secured.
A U-Haul representative can assist you if you have a lot of items that need straps. This makes the process of packing your valuables all the more convenient.
You can buy or rent straps at any U-Haul department or your nearest moving company.
Related:
Do U-Haul Trucks Have Tie-Down Points?
Not only do U-Haul trucks have tie-down points, but they also have multiple rails along the length of the trailer as well.
These tie-down points or mounting points are accompanied by rails that run along the length of the trailer. The design makes it easier for ropes and straps to secure the valuables in the trailer.
Tie-down points are especially important for long-distance moves because valuables will move around a lot. When they are tied down, it limits the risk of damage during the moving process.
Tie-downs, straps, trailer hitches, and ropes are considered extra equipment and have to be purchased or rented separately. All these are available upon request from your nearest U-Haul branch.
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