Whether you plan on moving to a different neighborhood, county, or state, moving can be daunting and a lot of work. Things accumulate over time and sorting through all of it can be so overwhelming. How are you going to move all that stuff? A U-Haul rental is definitely the way to go, especially if you are moving out of state.  

I know how hard it is to move. There’s a lot of emotional, mental, and physical strain that comes along with it. But moving doesn’t have to be complicated. It could actually be less stressful than you think. To help you, here are five tips for renting a U-Haul when you’re in the process of moving.

Choose the Right U-Haul for Your Move

The beauty of U-Hauls is that they come in different sizes depending on your needs. Sizes range from eight feet to 26 feet. If you have a fully furnished, four-bedroom home, then a larger U-Haul might be better suited for you. 

On the other hand, if you have a two bedroom apartment, then a smaller U-Haul would be best. It all depends on what kind of home you have. For those that need help buying a home, here’s a quick and family home buying guide. 

Something to also consider when choosing the size of the U-Haul is the pricing. Typically, a smaller truck will cost less than a bigger truck. Make sure to look at your budget and what you can afford.  

Also keep in mind that if you’re moving across the country, gas will need to be factored in. Most U-Hauls take unleaded gasoline and to fill it up can cost between $300 to $360.

Get U-Haul Insurance

U-Haul has a great service called SafeMove. According to the U-Haul website, Safemove has three parts to it: damage waiver, cargo coverage, and medical-life coverage. There’s also the option of SafeMove Plus that includes the three parts above and it also includes liability coverage. 

Great news! SafeMove Plus also includes collisions with overhead objects. 

If you are moving across the country, use SafeMove Plus. You don’t want to be uninsured as you travel, and you definitely don’t want to cut corners by not having liability coverage, especially if you’re traveling with children. You never know what could happen.

Pack Your Furniture Correctly

Make sure to pack your furniture well. The best way to do it is to make sure your heavier and bigger furniture is packed in the front of the moving truck and lighter and smaller furniture is moved toward the back. Make sure that furniture that has many components is broken down so that nothing gets damaged during the moving process.  

Make sure that furniture like couches or mattresses is packed upright to avoid damage to them. If you pack your furniture and see that there’s still space in the truck, make sure that you use cushions, padding, and straps to keep your stuff from sliding.

Whether you decide to move with U-Haul or a different company, always make sure that your furniture is packed correctly. Need pointers? There are several articles written by moving experts on the best ways to pack up and prep your belongs including this one on packing and moving furniture.

Drive Responsibly and Safely to Your Destination

U-Haul trucks are more difficult to drive than SUVs or small cars. Be mindful of the size of the truck as you head to your new home. Thankfully, the SafeMove Plus plan should protect you financially should anything happen, but it’s always a good idea to drive even more defensively than usual. Trucks usually have more blind spots than a smaller vehicle, so you need to be extra careful.  

Most U-Hauls have seating for two to three people, so make it a family affair and drive with your family. 

If you’re traveling with someone else or your family, then that’s all the more reason to drive responsibly and safely. Things can be replaced. People can’t. Take breaks when needed and take your time. For cross country treks, you should pace yourself. Highway hypnosis is a real thing. Drive for no more than eight hours a day. 

Once you’ve reached your destination, the next thing you need to do is drop off the U-Haul as specified in your contract.

Drop off the U-Haul as Specified in Your Contract

You’ve finally made it to your new home. You’ve unloaded the truck and have your things ready to move in. The only thing left to do is return the truck back to the company. When you first sign your contract for the U-Haul, you are given a drop-off location in your new town or city to hand over the truck.  

If you’re only moving to a new neighborhood and not a new state, you have to return the U-Haul to where you first picked it up. Before you drop off the truck, make sure that you refuel it to the level that the gas tank was at originally.  

Once that’s done, you’re free to enjoy your new home. The journey was long and arduous, but you did it. Now all that’s left is to organize your furniture in your new home to your liking. Hopefully, you won’t have to move again any time soon. If you do, at least you know exactly what to do.

Summary of U-Haul Rental Tips:

1. Choose what size truck you need from U-Haul. Don’t forget to factor gas into your budget.

2. Sign up for insurance in case of any accidents or mishaps.

3. Make sure your furniture is packed properly. Remember: heavier furniture in the front, lighter furniture in the back.

4. Drive responsibly and safely to your new home. Take breaks and pace yourself.

5. Drop off your rental at the right location. Make sure that you fill up the truck to its original level. 

Once you move into your new home, enjoy making it cozy by adding your belongings and personal touches. If you are overwhelmed with all the spending involved in buying a new home, you are not alone. Luckily there are many affordable ways you can make what was just an empty house, your special, unique home.

Peyton Leonard writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, TheTruthAboutInsurance.com. Peyton is passionate about helping others through the home buying and moving process, having just moved herself.