U-Haul

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A North American self-moving, truck-rental, trailer-rental, and storage brand.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

U-Haul is a North American self-moving and storage brand operated by U-Haul Holding Company, formerly known as AMERCO. It provides do-it-yourself transportation and storage services through a large network of company-operated facilities, independent dealers, and online reservation channels. Its core offer includes rental trucks, trailers, towing equipment, portable storage containers, self-storage units, moving boxes, packing materials, moving labor referrals, propane refueling, and hitch-related services. The company was established in 1945 by Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty in Ridgefield, Washington. Shoen developed a decentralized growth model in which gasoline stations and other businesses acted as rental agents, allowing customers to make one-way moves rather than return equipment to its original location. This approach helped U-Haul expand nationally with comparatively limited fixed infrastructure and made the brand highly visible to households undertaking relocations. U-Haul's rental fleet includes multiple truck sizes, cargo vans, pickup trucks, enclosed trailers, utility trailers, tow dollies, and auto transports. Its trucks are generally built by combining commercial vehicle cabs from manufacturers such as Ford, GMC, and Ram with truck bodies fabricated for U-Haul. The fleet's lower loading decks, overhead storage compartments on larger trucks, and brightly illustrated SuperGraphics are central elements of the brand's functional and visual identity. The company also rents equipment for vehicle towing and transports customer belongings through its U-Box portable-storage service. Storage has become an important complement to vehicle rental. U-Haul facilities offer conventional self-storage rooms and lockers, while U-Boxes can be delivered to a customer's location, loaded, stored, and transported to another destination. Many centers also sell cartons and packing supplies, install trailer hitches and wiring, and provide access to optional protection products. Through affiliated businesses, the wider holding company is also involved in real estate, insurance, annuities, life insurance, and Medicare supplement insurance. The Shoen family has retained substantial influence over the holding company. Edward "Joe" Shoen, a son of Leonard Shoen, has served as chairman and president. Family control and governance were shaped by a highly contentious ownership struggle in the 1980s. The holding company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2003 and emerged in 2004; the filing did not halt U-Haul's operating business. U-Haul operates throughout all 50 U.S. states and the 10 Canadian provinces. Its broad dealer network and strong consumer recognition have made the brand one of the most prominent names in self-moving. The name is also sometimes used colloquially for moving-truck rental services generally, although U-Haul remains a protected commercial brand. Its history has included litigation over trademarks, vehicle-safety criticism, a discontinued car-sharing service, and operational difficulties in a West Virginia division. Despite these controversies, the main U-Haul brand remains active across moving equipment rental and storage.

History

U-Haul was founded in 1945 by Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty in Ridgefield, Washington. The couple began with an investment of $5,000 and constructed rental trailers in a garage belonging to Carty's family. Rather than rely solely on company-owned rental outlets, Shoen recruited gasoline stations as agents and shared rental revenue with them. This arrangement gave customers more convenient access to equipment and supported one-way rentals, a feature that became central to the self-moving model. Shoen also experimented with shared investment in individual trailers and other financing arrangements to accelerate fleet growth. By 1955, U-Haul had more than 10,000 trailers in service and had become a nationally recognized name. The company's expansion was closely connected to postwar population mobility, suburbanization, and the increasing willingness of households to move their own possessions rather than hire full-service movers. Ownership became increasingly complicated as Leonard Shoen's family grew. He eventually had 13 children with four wives and distributed ownership interests among family members. Internal disagreements intensified over control of the business. In 1986, two of his children, Edward and Mark, mounted a successful takeover effort. The resulting family conflict produced litigation and a judgment reported at $461 million in favor of Leonard Shoen and others. The family's disputes also included accusations surrounding the murder of Sam Shoen's daughter-in-law, Eva; the convicted murderer stated that the killing resulted from a robbery, while Sam continued to accuse family members of involvement. Leonard Shoen died in 1999 after suffering fatal injuries in a vehicle crash near his Las Vegas home; the death was later ruled a suicide. From 1984 through 1992, U-Haul rented camper trailers designed for sleeping. After the service ended, the fiberglass units were sold to the public. The company's principal business remained moving equipment, including trucks, trailers, vehicle-transport equipment, and related accessories. Its fleet evolved toward truck bodies mounted on heavy-duty pickup and van chassis supplied by manufacturers including Ford, GMC, and Ram. U-Haul also developed manufacturing and fabrication capabilities for its distinctive truck bodies. The company expanded into storage and complementary services. Corporate centers and selected dealers offer self-storage units, moving cartons, packing supplies, propane, hitch installation, trailer wiring, and moving assistance. U-Box portable containers extend the storage model by allowing possessions to be loaded at one location, stored, and transported to another. The broader holding company developed related real-estate and insurance operations, including Amerco Real Estate, RepWest Insurance Company, and Oxford Life Insurance Company. U-Haul faced significant financial pressure at the holding-company level in the early 2000s. AMERCO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2003 and emerged in March 2004. The proceedings did not interrupt U-Haul's principal operations. The company also maintained a controversial policy, introduced in 2003, of refusing to rent trailers intended for use behind Ford Explorer vehicles. U-Haul cited litigation costs associated with Explorer towing combinations rather than presenting the policy as a general safety ban. Safety and maintenance practices became a recurring source of criticism. Canadian inspections and media investigations in 2005 and 2006 reported that many inspected U-Haul trucks failed roadworthiness requirements. Company officials pointed to inspection procedures and acknowledged the need to replace older vehicles. A 2007 Los Angeles Times investigation separately reported concerns about trailer brakes, fishtailing crashes, rental practices, and alleged destruction of evidence in injury litigation. The brand also encountered intellectual-property litigation. PODS sued U-Haul in 2012, alleging that U-Haul had used “pods” in marketing its U-Box service in a way that infringed PODS trademarks. In 2014, a jury found for PODS and awarded $62 million in damages. U-Haul also brought a trademark action against HireAHelper in 2014, which was settled outside court. U-Haul operated a car-sharing division from 2007 to 2020. In 2021, a U-Haul division in West Virginia filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing management turnover, unprofitable locations, litigation expenses, poor cash flow, and liquidity problems. The principal brand nevertheless remained active. It serves customers across all 50 U.S. states and the 10 Canadian provinces through company facilities and a large dealer network. Its recognizable trucks, one-way rental system, storage products, and do-it-yourself positioning continue to define its market presence.

2021
West Virginia division files for bankruptcy protection
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
A regional division cites turnover, unprofitable sites, litigation costs, and liquidity pressure in its Chapter 11 filing.
2020
Uhaul Car Share ends
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
The company's car-sharing operation, active since 2007, is discontinued.
2014
Jury rules in PODS trademark case
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
A jury finds trademark infringement and awards PODS $62 million in damages.
2012
PODS files trademark lawsuit
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
PODS challenges U-Haul's use of “pods” in connection with U-Box marketing.
2004
AMERCO emerges from bankruptcy
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
The holding company completes its Chapter 11 reorganization.
2003
AMERCO enters Chapter 11
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
The holding company files for bankruptcy protection while U-Haul operations continue.
1992
Camper-trailer service ends
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
The camper-trailer rental business is discontinued and the fiberglass trailers are sold.
1984
Camper-trailer rental begins
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
U-Haul begins renting camper trailers that can be used for sleeping.
1955
National trailer network reaches major scale
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
U-Haul has more than 10,000 trailers on the road and is nationally known.
1945
U-Haul is founded
[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty establish the business in Ridgefield, Washington, beginning with trailer construction and a gasoline-station agency model.

Products and positioning

Value-oriented, do-it-yourself moving and storage solutions supported by a broad North American rental network.

Vehicle rental
U-Haul moving trucks
U-Haul rents multiple truck sizes, ranging from compact moving vehicles to large trucks suitable for household relocations. Larger models generally include an overhead storage area, while the fleet emphasizes low loading decks and branded SuperGraphics. Trucks are used primarily for one-way or local do-it-yourself moves.
Trailer rental
U-Haul trailers
The trailer range includes enclosed and utility trailers in several sizes. Customers can rent trailers for transporting household goods and other cargo, subject to towing requirements and U-Haul policies. The company also offers tow dollies and four-wheel auto transports.
Portable storage
U-Box
U-Box consists of portable storage containers that can be delivered for loading, retained at a storage facility, or transported to another destination. It combines elements of self-storage and moving, allowing customers to manage possessions over a longer period than a conventional truck rental.
Storage
U-Haul self-storage
Many U-Haul centers rent storage rooms, lockers, and other units on recurring terms. Storage is commonly offered alongside truck rental, packing supplies, and access to related moving services, allowing customers to combine transportation and temporary or extended storage through one provider.
Moving supplies
Moving and packing supplies
U-Haul centers and its online channels offer cartons, tape, protective materials, and other supplies used to prepare household goods for transport and storage. These products complement vehicle and storage rentals and support the company's do-it-yourself positioning.
Automotive service
Hitch and trailer services
Selected U-Haul locations install trailer hitches and wiring and provide related towing equipment. These services extend the brand beyond short-term rentals by supporting customers who use their own vehicles with trailers or other towing products.

Controversies

2014
PODS trademark infringement verdict
A jury found U-Haul liable for using the term “pods” in U-Box marketing in a manner that infringed PODS trademarks and awarded $62 million in damages.
Source
2007
Trailer maintenance and evidence allegations
A Los Angeles Times investigation reported that trailer-rental practices and brake maintenance contributed to fishtailing crashes and described allegations that U-Haul destroyed evidence related to injury lawsuits.
Source
2005
Canadian vehicle-safety investigations
Canadian media and government inspections reported substantial roadworthiness defects among inspected U-Haul vehicles. Later reporting found additional failures, prompting company comments about maintenance practices and replacement of older equipment.
Source

State and provincial SuperGraphics
United States · Canada
U-Haul decorates trucks with educational illustrations representing states and Canadian provinces. The graphics make vehicles distinctive while giving the fleet a traveling brand-display function.
Outcome. Became a recognizable component of U-Haul's visual identity.
Source
Holiday fleet support
United States
During December, UPS, USPS, and FedEx have used U-Haul equipment to supplement vehicle fleets during the seasonal holiday shipping surge.
Outcome. Provided temporary commercial fleet capacity during peak demand.
Source

Brand decisions

2014
Settlement of HireAHelper trademark litigationOther
Background
U-Haul brought a trademark-infringement action against HireAHelper.
Action taken
The parties settled the case outside court.
Aftermath
The available reference does not specify settlement terms.
Source
2003
Restriction on towing behind Ford Explorer vehiclesOther
Background
U-Haul cited the expense of defending lawsuits involving Ford Explorer towing combinations.
Action taken
The company stopped renting trailers intended to be attached to Ford Explorer models, including Sport Trac variants.
Aftermath
The policy remained in place for later Explorer models and attracted continued consumer and media attention.
Source
2003
AMERCO Chapter 11 filingOther
Background
The holding company faced financial pressure while its principal U-Haul operations continued.
Action taken
AMERCO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Aftermath
AMERCO emerged in 2004, and the filing did not interrupt U-Haul's operating business.
Source

Recent events

2021
West Virginia U-Haul division seeks Chapter 11 protection[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Bankruptcy · Leadership change
A West Virginia division filed for Chapter 11 protection, attributing financial and liquidity pressure to management turnover, unprofitable locations, and litigation costs.
2020
U-Haul closes Uhaul Car Share[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Other
U-Haul's car-sharing division, which operated from 2007 to 2020, was discontinued.
2003
AMERCO files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Bankruptcy
U-Haul's holding company entered Chapter 11 proceedings and emerged in 2004. The filing did not stop U-Haul's operating activities.
2003
U-Haul adopts a Ford Explorer trailer-rental restriction[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Regulation · Other
U-Haul instituted a policy refusing to rent trailers intended to be towed by Ford Explorer models, citing the cost of defending litigation involving Explorer towing combinations.
1992
U-Haul ends camper-trailer rental service[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company discontinued its camper-trailer rental activity after operating the service from 1984 to 1992, later selling the fiberglass trailers.
1955
U-Haul exceeds 10,000 trailers on the road[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Other
A decade after its creation, the brand had developed a nationally recognized trailer fleet of more than 10,000 units.
1945
U-Haul expands through franchised gasoline-station agents[1]U-Haulen.wikipedia.org
Other
The company began renting trailers through a model that shared rental fees with franchised gasoline-station operators, creating a distributed national network.

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