Boxes are boxes, right? When it comes to relocating, choosing the best moving boxes can be the difference between a pleasant trip and an unpleasant surprise upon arrival. Here, we’ll dive into the defining characteristics of U-Haul moving boxes, as compared to the boxes you’ll find at your local home improvement store or elsewhere.
U-Haul’s Box Selection
U-Haul’s selection of moving boxes ranges from small (16-3/8″ x 12-5/8″ x 12-5/8″) to extra large (24″ x 18″ x 24″), with the latter providing six cubic feet of packing space. U-Haul’s assortment of boxes extends far beyond this range, offering convenient options such as a book box, a lamp box, and even a box for you to hang your clothes in. For the sake of simplicity, however, we’ll stick to the core selection in this discussion.
Why Are They Better?
#1: Material
As it pertains to moving boxes, the material it is made of is paramount in determining its performance. U-Haul’s moving boxes are made from mostly virgin paper, with the rest consisting of recycled material. This virgin paper is the difference, as it contains genuine fibers that interweave better than recycled material, resulting in higher performance and better appearance. Since virgin paper is previously unused, these boxes can be used for up to four moves or 10-12 years of storage.
If you head to your local home improvement store, you may find moving boxes that are made entirely of recycled cardboard. When it comes to this reused material, the functional and aesthetic properties can’t hold up to that of a virgin paper box. Recycled boxes are inferior in strength and durability, giving way to pressure at a much quicker rate when stacked too high. This weakness means that, if you’re lucky, you will get one move out of a recycled box. Compare that to the four uses that you’ll get out of a U-Haul box, and it’s easy to see which is the best moving box for you.
In the video below, you can see the durability of U-Haul’s moving boxes in action:
#2: Weather Resistant
While many things are under your control on moving day, there is one element over which you have no authority: the weather. Perhaps it’s monsoon season or a crisp, snowy day in mid-February. Either way, you’ve got to weather the storm and keep moving. Getting the job done without causing damage to your cherished household items requires durable packaging.
U-Haul boxes are designed by engineers to protect your items in the event that they are exposed to water or humidity. In the ensuing video, you can observe U-Haul moving boxes thriving in the same environments the competition fails in:
#3: Ease of Packing
Keep those flaps at bay while packing, and use a box cutter to sever and seal when you’re ready!
When packing up your moving box, those pesky box flaps can get in your way and slow you down. U-Haul boxes include a Flap Lock feature that allows you to keep them down towards the side of the box, so you can load and organize without having to maneuver your arms. This is a feature that is not found in boxes at your local home improvement store, and one that can speed up the packing process exponentially.
When you go to tape your box shut, you may notice the packing tape has trouble sticking to the surface. Due to the waxy finish that recycled boxes have, the tape cannot effectively latch on, putting your items at risk. The smooth, dry finish of U-Haul boxes allows for easy tape application, protecting your goods throughout the journey.
You know the feeling: you’ve finally taped up your moving box, and you’re ready to load it into your moving truck. You go to pick it up, only to find that there’s nowhere to comfortably grip it. You’re forced to grab it at the bottom, while your fingers slide up the box as if it’s slathered in butter, your precious cargo in peril. With U-Haul’s small and medium-sized moving boxes, perforated handles are a punch-out away for your convenience. Problem solved!
The Decision is Yours
At the end of the day, the choice is yours to make. Do you want boxes that hold steady for up to four moves or 10-12 years in storage or boxes that give way after just one move? Available at your local U-Haul dealer or online, U-Haul moving boxes are always available when you need them. Whether it is for storage or the big move, the peace-of-mind you acquire with U-Haul boxes is something you can’t put a price tag on.
Moving soon and are looking for the best moving boxes in the business? Buy U-Haul Boxes here!
