Cough, thinking about going digital nomad? About to give up the apartment and hop around until you find a place that you like? If you’re planning to do that, it may be tempting to put things into a traditional storage unit, but if you're considering a possible move elsewhere, it may not be the best solution.
U-Haul's U-Box is an alternative, weird hybrid that allows for more flexible options, and is somewhere between storing and shipping your stuff halfway across the world (aka Mexico City, cough). Though it wasn't the most seamless process, it was the best option we could find for our needs while we were homeless and traveling for four months.
In short and sweet terms, the U-Box is basically a container for hire that can be shipped anywhere within the continent via ground. It is a convenient alternative to long-distance moving, and can be far cheaper than renting a U-Haul and driving it thousands of miles yourself.
If that's not your route, though, the U-Box can also be put into storage for an indefinite amount of time at a U-Haul facility if you don’t quite know where you're settling yet. Saving thousands on that rent, right???
The main upside is, if you’re not sure where the final destination is, it saves on moving costs in the long run and there is far, far less hassle. Instead of moving twice, most people can move everything once into the container and facility.
From there, U-Haul can ship the container directly to the new location, across the country or even to a different spot in the same town. (It is possible you may need to hire people to unload, though at least there’s no need to do a full move twice.)
The primary disadvantage, unlike a traditional storage unit, is that U-Haul facilities are often out there, meaning its a lot harder to access a U-Box at random.
The storage option does require pre-planning if you’re jetting off for an undetermined amount of time, especially if you’ll need access to seasonal items like scarves, jackets, etc.
Plan ahead!
Multiple options for receiving the U-Box (have it delivered!)
There are a couple of ways to receive or access the U-Box.
The simplest way to pick up a U-Box is to get it delivered straight to your house for a nominal fee (like, a hundred bucks or something like that). U-Haul will pick it up the day after.
Definitely look and ask around for deals! In our case, U-Hail was running a special deal that included free delivery and the first month of storage free.
The other option is to pick it up yourself for free.
Sadly, in Manhattan, delivery is more complicated because side-street parking in New York City is limited. Our only option was to do a self pick-up, which required hiring movers to drive to the facility, pick up our U-Box and load it.
Before the day of pick-up, we confirmed the U-Haul location with the facility and the movers. However, when the movers arrived to pick up the U-Box, U-Haul did not have one available. Instead, they sent our movers to a different location... which wasn't cool, because we were on a schedule.
For what it's worth, in order to secure the U-Box, you will need a heavy duty padlock or combination lock, so add those to the list of expenses.
Do take a picture of the box number before returning it since you'll need it for final delivery. The contract should also note the location that the U-Box is dropped off at.
Our experience putting the U-Box in storage
For the most part, this was the easiest part. Pay your bill and you should be good.
(It should be important that we did choose to opt for insurance, and did end up filing a claim that's currently being processed.)
Getting the U-Box delivered and unloaded
Getting the U-box to show up at our door. (Erica Ho / Map Happy)
Getting the U-Box was a bit more simple than initially loading the box. Once you're ready, all customers need to do is contact the U-Haul facility where it is located and schedule the delivery.
[It is worth noting once again, the U-Haul facility the U-Box was dropped off was not the location it was stored at. Do confirm everything.]
Through Moving Help, U-Haul also works with local movers to deliver and help (un)load the box. In our case, Moving Help suggested Jay Rio Enterprises, a local moving company.
The best part is that we were able to schedule the delivery at the very last-minute—like, literally, with one-day notice—and able to select the movers that we wanted. There didn't seem to be much difference, so we went ahead and confirmed the cheapest option.
In total, U-Haul delivery and unloading came to $325.95 for three people, a truck for the full service. (Apparently, there was an additional $250 stair fee we were not aware about... which we ended up negotiating with the movers at the end.)
If you choose to go down this route, you will be asked to confirm the U-Box number, and U-Haul will send the customer a release form before the U-Box is released to the movers.
For what it's worth, the fabric pads do need to be folded up upon return, or U-Haul does charge an extra charge for that. Again, it really comes down to real-time, nitty, gritty details.
Breaking down the costs of using a U-Box
Of course, this is the most important part.
If we’re talking about the U-Haul charges only, it cost us $739.25 from May 31 to October 9 for five months of storage, insurance, final delivery and unloading. (U-Haul does not prorate, so this is something very important to keep in mind if you're trying to keep costs down.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| U-Haul August Rent | $199.15 |
| U-Haul October Rent | $214.15 |
| U-Haul Delivery and Unloading | $325.95 |
|
Total
|
$739.25 |
This included free delivery (even though we self-serviced), and two free months of storage (there was a promotion, and some compensation). Tips were not included.
This works out to $147.85 per month, which is palatable, but it really doesn't take into account all of the extraneous moving costs leading up to it. More on this in a minute.
Here's how it really broke down, when all the costs associated were broken down.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Packing Session | $161.87 |
| Packing Session | $254.21 |
| Initial U-Haul Pick-up and Loading (Separate) | $700.00 |
| U-Haul August Rent | $199.15 |
| U-Haul October Rent | $214.15 |
| U-Haul Delivery and Unloading | $325.95 |
|
Total
|
$1,855.33 |
In this case, you can see the U-Haul costs were just a fraction of the total moving expenses. In fact, they only constituted 39.9%.
So while it seemed like we were getting a deal, the truth is that it ended up being a very noteworthy expense. This is only worth it if you think you'll need storage for a substantial amount of time to break even on expenses.
The most important considerations of using a U-Box
Considering that this was the first time that we used U-Box, there were a bunch of tiny little things that we did not know going into the process.
Luckily, most of the movers that we hired were familiar with the procedure and were able to guide us step-by-step the entire time. If we had been doing this on our own, we would have been SOL.
Here's what we wished we knew in advance, and what to keep in mind if you are doing this alone entirely:
-
- Confirm U-Haul facility for pickup
- Take picture of U-Box number (will need for release)
- Buy a padlock, and take a picture of the combination
- Our locations for pickup and storage changed multiple times
- Furniture pads need to be returned folded up or there's an extra charge
- U-Haul does not prorate storage months
The only other thing that you should know, is that all those smiling people in the pictures who are moving are lying. Moving is horrible.
It is more like this.
Reality. (Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels)
