Common Preventable Issues for U-Haul Moving Equipment
When you’re moving, the last thing that you need is more stress on your plate. To make sure that you’re prepared for your journey, we’ve outlined the most common issues that U-Haul customers face during their move, as well as ways to avoid these issues in the first place.
Now, as careful as you may be, some of these preventable issues may still occur. That’s where SafeTrip comes in. SafeTrip is an enhanced coverage for U-Haul Roadside Assistance that includes no-cost service for almost all of these issues. Best of all, it only costs $5 to cover an In-Town rental and $7 to cover a One-Way rental. To add SafeTrip to your reservation, simply notify a U-Haul representative prior to dispatching your equipment.
Stay In Control
We recommend driving in a steady, controlled manner with safety in mind so that you put as little stress on your equipment as possible. Take turns slowly, refrain from accelerating rapidly, and try to actively anticipate braking so that you have enough time to slow down.
Shift Only When Fully Stopped
Repeatedly shifting between drive, reverse, and park when the truck isn’t fully stopped can damage the transmission over time. Remember to come to a complete stop before moving the gear selector lever.
Secure the Rear Cargo Door Latch
To open the rear cargo door on any U-Haul ‘box trucks’ (10’, 15’, 20' and 26’ trucks), rotate the cargo door latch counterclockwise fully until it has secured itself in the open position. Watch this video for a tutorial on how to do this. Failure to rotate the latch fully can lead to the latch getting caught when the door is open, resulting in a cargo door that is stuck in the open position.
Don’t Get Stuck
U-Haul trucks and trailers are designed to be operated on paved surfaces only. Do not operate U-Haul equipment on surfaces other than concrete or asphalt. This goes for parking too! Parking in wet terrain can cause a truck or trailer to sink into the ground as it’s loaded. Even paved roads can be slippery when cold or wet, and hills or inclined driveways can be similarly problematic.
Without SafeTrip coverage, U-Haul’s roadside assistance for a stuck truck or trailer will cost approximately $450 USD.
Take Good Care of the Keys
With all the chaos of moving day, it can be easy to misplace your keys or even lock them inside of your moving truck. Try to be attentive to where your keys are whenever you go to exit your vehicle. Be mindful when removing keys from the ignition or doors as well – using excessive force to remove your key may damage or break the key.
Without SafeTrip coverage, U-Haul’s roadside assistance for lockout service will cost approximately $200 USD, and assistance for a new key will cost approximately $350 USD.
Connect and Disconnect Your Trailer Correctly
U-Haul goes hand in hand with a “do-it-yourself” mentality, but it’s even more important to do it yourself correctly. This video will show you how to properly connect a U-Haul trailer to a towing vehicle to ensure that it doesn’t disconnect while you’re driving, and this video will show you how to do the same for our Drop & Tow coupler.
Without SafeTrip coverage, U-Haul’s roadside assistance for a towing hookup problem will cost approximately $300 USD.
Use the Correct Fuel When Filling Up Your Gas Tank
When renting a U-Haul moving truck, we ask that you return the equipment to use with the same amount of fuel as when you first dispatched it. Reminder – every U-Haul truck runs on unleaded gasoline, so be sure to use the correct fuel type when refilling.
Don’t Run Out of Fuel
If you’re traveling a long distance, make sure to plan your route ahead of time so that you can stop for fuel along the way without any panic. Without SafeTrip coverage, U-Haul’s roadside assistance for running out of fuel will cost approximately $300 USD.
Got a Problem? U-Haul Roadside Assistance Can Help!
While every U-Haul truck and trailer is regularly maintained and inspected for reliability, unpredictable things can happen. If a problem does occur during your move and you are a current U-Haul customer (with or without SafeTrip coverage), do not hesitate to contact U-Haul Roadside Assistance to help you get back on the road. Use the U-Haul App to request assistance quickly and live chat with a U-Haul roadside team member, or submit a request by either visiting uhaul.com/help/ or calling 1-800-528-0355.