Insider Tip #2 -- Do It Yourself – U-Haul Services

Shipping Connection is an authorized U-Haul dealer with two cargo vans in its fleet. These vans are a bit larger than typical family vans that you’re familiar with. You can lay a queen size mattress between the wheel wells and stack a lot of other stuff on top, plus you have a few feet of additional floor-to-ceiling free space since the cargo bay is about 9 feet long and the typical mattress is about 6 feet long.

U-Haul cargo vans cost $19.95 per day to rent, plus $0.69 per mile, plus $11 per day for insurance if you want it. In addition, these vans get about 8-9 miles per gallon of gas, and you’ll have to bring the van back with the same fuel level as when you got it, so plan your budget accordingly.

If you’re making a short move within the city, as university students often do, then using a van and making a few trips with it can be a smart way to save money.

If, on the other hand, you’re moving a lot of items including some large furniture, then you might try looking at the other options that U-Haul has.  They have a fleet of box trucks from 10-foot cargo bays to 26-foot cargo bays (the largest you can drive without a commercial driver’s license). You can rent one of these, but the rent and mileage are generally higher according to the size of the truck you select.  Also, they get lower fuel mileage as they have larger engines hauling heavier vehicles and loads, so you’ll spend substantially more on fuel. Plan accordingly.

Another advantage of the trucks is that some are for rent on a one-way basis.  So if you’re moving far away, you can drop the truck off at the U-Haul dealer closest or most convenient to your destination.

This is probably the most inexpensive way to move your goods unless you happen to own a box truck that will handle all of your items. But do keep in mind motel/hotel expenses, as well as meals and other expenses when you budget.

One thing to make sure of, and that is that your “Do-It-Yourself” doesn’t become a “Destroy-It-Yourself” move. This typically occurs when you try to move a concert grand piano, or a large gun safe, or a hot tub, a glass table, etc., yourself. It’s best in such cases to let only experienced professionals with the right equipment do the job.

Also keep in mind the fact that you will be required to stop at every open truck inspection station as you cross any state line.  You will have to be certain to comply with every state law including not only weight limitations, plus firearms and hazmat laws, but also agricultural regulations that prohibit the import of fruit and certain plants into some states.

Hazmat laws can be tricky.  For instance, you cannot transport paint or paint thinner, etc., across state lines without special federal permits. In addition, you cannot have gasoline at all, not even in your lawn mower or weed cutter, etc., in your truck (except for your truck’s gas tank). So run the gasoline out of your mowers, etc., before you leave.

Inspection Stations can require you to remove every item from your truck for inspection if they so desire, and they will require you to unload items if your truck is over the gross weight limit for your truck until you’re within the legal weight limit.

You will then have to find alternate means to ship the overload items, plus you will have to pay a hefty fine. This could take days to resolve, so if there’s any doubt in your mind, it’s best to have a professional moving service transport your goods.

Another consideration when moving yourself is how to wrap or pack your goods and how to load the truck. We can discuss more on this in a future tip.  If you have an unbalanced load, it could cause the truck to tip on a turn or even careen out of control when rounding a curve in the road, etc.  So your items must be balanced with as low a center of gravity as possible and with as even a distribution (weight wise) as possible.

Next Time: more “Insider Tips” for small moves: Lift Vans, U-Boxes, and Other Moving Containers. .