U-Haul

U-Haul Holding Company

Company type	Public
Industry	Moving and storage
Founded	January 1, 1945 (1945-01-01) in Ridgefield, Washington, United States
Founder	Leonard Shoen, Anna Mary Carty
Headquarters	Phoenix, Arizona , United States
Area served	United States, Canada
Key people	Edward "Joe" Shoen (Chairman and President)
Products	Moving trucks and trailers rental, self-storage units, moving supplies, LPG refueling stations, hitch installation
Owner	Shoen family (approx. 55% via AMERCO)
Website	uhaul.com

U-Haul Holding Company is a U.S.-based enterprise specializing in the rental of moving trucks, trailers, and self-storage units, with its corporate headquarters located in Phoenix, Arizona. Established in 1945 by Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty in Ridgefield, Washington, the business grew by franchising through partnerships with gas station operators.

Overview

Previously known as AMERCO, U-Haul Holding Company is a publicly traded parent corporation that manages several subsidiaries:

• Amerco Real Estate, which focuses on acquiring properties and transforming them into self-storage facilities,
• RepWest Insurance Company, providing optional insurance coverage for U-Haul rentals and storage services,
• Oxford Life Insurance Company, offering annuities, life insurance policies, and Medicare supplement plans tailored for senior customers.

The Shoen family, descendants of founder Sam Shoen, maintain control of roughly 55% of AMERCO.

U-Haul’s principal operations encompass truck and trailer rentals, self-storage units, moving supplies, assistance services for moving, LPG refueling stations, and hitch installation. With a network exceeding 23,000 locations across the United States—including both company-operated centers and independent dealers—U-Haul commands a substantial share of the moving and storage market. The company’s iconic fleet features white trucks adorned with orange stripes and state-themed SuperGraphics that enhance brand visibility.

History

In 1945, Leonard Shoen, then 29 years old, co-established U-Haul alongside his wife Anna Mary Carty in Ridgefield, Washington, initiating the venture with a $5,000 investment. He developed rental trailers and initiated a franchising model involving gas station proprietors as agents. This strategy introduced one-way rentals and attracted investors to support expansion.

By 1955, the company operated more than 10,000 trailers nationwide and had cultivated strong brand awareness. Control was largely transferred to Shoen’s children—especially Edward "Joe" and Mark Shoen—who orchestrated a successful takeover in 1986 amid significant familial conflicts that included legal confrontations culminating in a $461 million judgment. Leonard Shoen passed away in 1999 due to injuries officially deemed a suicide.

From 1984 through 1992, U-Haul provided camper trailers for rent; these units were subsequently sold to consumers following discontinuation of the rental program.

The Shoen family, led by chairman and president Edward "Joe" Shoen, holds approximately 40% ownership of U-Haul via AMERCO. AMERCO underwent Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in June 2003 but reemerged from bankruptcy protection by March 2004 without disrupting U-Haul’s operational activities.

In 2012, PODS initiated a lawsuit against U-Haul alleging trademark infringement concerning the use of the term "pods" for its U-Box product. A jury awarded PODS $62 million in damages in 2014 due to U-Haul’s marketing practices. That same year saw an out-of-court settlement between U-Haul and HireAHelper over trademark disputes.

During peak holiday periods, logistics firms such as UPS, USPS, and FedEx temporarily augment their delivery fleets by utilizing U-Haul trucks to accommodate increased shipping volumes.

Between 2007 and 2020, U-Haul operated the Uhaul Car Share program as part of its diversified service offerings.

Equipment

The U-Haul rental inventory comprises trucks, trailers, auto transporters, and additional equipment. The truck cabs—heavy-duty pickups and vans—are sourced from manufacturers including Ford, GMC, and Ram and are paired with truck bodies produced by U-Haul at facilities across North America. All vehicles run on gasoline; earlier models included diesel-powered trucks that were restricted to returns at their original rental sites. The fleet offers six truck sizes ranging from to , alongside various trailer dimensions, a two-wheeled "Tow Dolly," and a four-wheeled "Auto Transport." Truck designs feature lower decks positioned beneath the tops rather than above the rear tires; some models include an over-cab storage compartment known as "Mom's Attic." The fleet is visually distinguished by SuperGraphics showcasing educational illustrations of U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Pickup trucks and cargo vans are accessible at corporate centers as well as select dealerships.

U-Haul classifies its equipment into "In-Town" or "One-Way" categories. "One-Way" rentals permit pickup at one location with drop-off at another for long-distance moves; "In-Town" rentals require returning equipment to the original location for local moves. The company is actively increasing its one-way fleet while reallocating older one-way vehicles for local use and selling off retired units.

All trucks owned by U-Haul—including those operating in Canada—bear apportioned Arizona license plates without expiration dates. Newer trailers are registered with apportioned plates from various states. In Alaska and Hawaii, equipment registration occurs locally due to the absence of apportioned registration systems in these states.

U-Box Containers

Introduced in 2009, U-Box portable moving and storage units are crafted from pest-resistant plywood and feature covers designed to withstand various weather conditions. The containers are available in a single size measuring 8 ft by 5 ft by 7 ft 6 in (L×W×H).

In a 2025 evaluation of more than 50 moving container providers, Forbes Home recognized U-Box as the “top moving container company overall,” emphasizing its adaptability and broad service reach.

According to Moving.com, U-Box offers diverse delivery and storage solutions, including options for on-site storage, warehousing, customer self-delivery, and comprehensive full-service delivery.

Storage Space Rentals

Certain U-Haul outlets provide self-storage lockers that can be rented on a weekly or monthly basis, alongside monthly rentals of portable U-Box containers. These containers enable customers to pack belongings at one location for transport to another destination. Most corporate sites feature available storage facilities.

Ford Explorer Rental Restriction

Since 2003, U-Haul has prohibited trailer rentals for all Ford Explorer models due to substantial legal expenses associated with Firestone tire failures on these vehicles. This restriction stems from litigation costs rather than safety concerns and remained active as of 2012, influencing the company’s approach to risk management and rental policies.

Safety Concerns

In Canada, vehicle inspections uncovered serious safety deficiencies in U-Haul trucks. In 2005, nearly one-fifth of inspected trucks in Ontario were found unfit for road use. Further investigations by media outlets revealed numerous rented U-Haul trucks nationwide failing provincial safety criteria. Company representatives acknowledged these issues and pledged to replace aging vehicles and enhance maintenance procedures.

A 2006 follow-up inspection conducted at nine Canadian locations identified seven trucks that did not meet fundamental safety requirements. In 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported ongoing maintenance shortcomings, falsified documentation, and related legal actions based on accounts from former staff and executives. These challenges have affected U-Haul’s operational dependability and brand standing in critical markets.