Welcome to the 841st Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever rented a U-Haul truck before? In October of last year, a few months after purchasing a cottage home near family in Ohio, I needed to move a few pieces of furniture from my home in Georgia to the Ohio house, aka, The Dollhouse. I had just purchased a dining set (table, leaf, and 6 chairs) online for the Dollhouse dining room and had a wicker dining set and chaise that I thought would work in its sunroom.
After some research, I rented a U-haul truck online, choosing the smallest one available for the long, 500-mile, 8 to 9-hour drive to Ohio. When renting the truck, I was given a few choices for the pickup location. I chose a location that was near my home and was surprised when I arrived to discover it was actually a gas station. Having never seen or heard of Valero, I asked my Uber driver to wait while I ran inside to verify I was at the right place. I figured I was since there were several U-Haul trucks parked outside. Once I verified I was in the right place, I bade my Uber driver goodbye and the adventure began!
The renting process was nothing like what I expected. The men working behind the counter in the Valero station were very nice, but it was weird because they were up high inside this box-like room so I couldn’t see anything that they were doing as they completed the rental transaction. In the end, the nice guy in the box gave me a key and sent me on my way. I verified which truck I was supposed to take, thinking it was the smallest one in the lot, and it was. Mine was the one on the far right in the photo below.
Not sure there are words to explain how I felt as I climbed up, up, up into the cab of that truck. I don’t know when I have felt so intimidated and out of my element. The very first thing I noticed was when looking in the review mirror, I could see absolutely nothing. If you have ever rented a U-Haul truck, you are either laughing at me or nodding your head right now. Of course, you can’t see out the review mirror because there’s literally a room strapped onto the back!
I wish I had taken a photo of what I was seeing in that review mirror. Just imagine looking into your car’s review mirror and seeing a blank, white wall a few inches behind you, knowing you have to back out! I was NOT prepared for that! When I drive anywhere, I’m always scanning all the mirrors to stay aware of my surroundings. It was surreal seeing nothing but a white wall in that mirror!
Also, the side mirrors were not helping at all. A U-haul has four mirrors, two on each side: one really tall/long mirror, with a smaller mirror just below. All four mirrors were tilted in such a way that I could not see anything, and I could not find any buttons or mechanisms inside the truck to change them. As I sat in the cab looking around, I found myself saying out loud, “No way! No way I’m driving this thing all the way to Ohio! No way!” I must have muttered the words, “No way!” twenty times as I sat there trying to figure out what I should do.
There were so many thoughts going through my head. I thought about how I would have to hire movers to take the tables to Ohio and how expensive that was going to be. I thought about having seen other U-hauls on the road from time to time, so someone was driving these things! I was fully aware of how intimidated I was feeling and thinking how weird that a woman who once took flying lessons and soloed an airplane several times was now too intimidated to drive a big truck. What?!!!
All those crazy thoughts were going through my head at once! The last thing I wanted was to get into an accident on the interstate. What to do?! I got out of the truck, walked back inside, and eventually located the man from whom I had rented the truck. He was off in the coolers so it took a while to find him. I told him about the mirror situation and he looked baffled. I quickly realized he knew no more about driving a U-haul truck than I did.
I asked him to come outside with me to help me figure out how to adjust the mirrors. I told him I wasn’t going to rent the truck if we couldn’t figure the mirror situation out. He followed me out to the truck, climbed inside, and was unable to find any way to adjust the mirrors from inside the truck.
I climbed back up into the truck, rolled down the windows, and asked him to see if he could adjust them manually. He was able to do that and moved all four of them into the position I needed. So heads up: Don’t ever rent one of these trucks by yourself unless you get someone (like a U-haul employee) to help you adjust the mirrors before you drive out of the parking lot!
Still unsure if I was doing the right thing, I told the Valero guy that I was going to take the truck, however, if I got a block down the road and felt uncomfortable, I was coming back. I had him stand behind the truck to verify that no one was walking or driving behind me as I backed out since I knew I wouldn’t be able to see out the review mirror. He did, and I was on my way.
As I drove home, I began to feel a bit better. I could now at least see out the side mirrors and the truck was driving somewhat like a typical car, just a bit higher and bouncier. As I got closer to home, I made a decision that I would drive the truck to Ohio, but at no time would I put myself in a position where I had to back up. When I stopped for gas or food, I would park in such a way that I could pull straight forward when it was time to leave. There would absolutely be no backing up in this truck!
Once I arrived home, I felt comfortable enough to back the truck down my driveway since I knew there would be no one standing (or driving by) in my driveway, so I felt I could break my “no backing up rule” this one time to back the truck down the driveway to the garage.
That was the moment I discovered when you place the truck in reverse, an outside camera somewhere on the truck, I guess in the very back, activates and displays whatever is behind you in the rearview mirror. Why didn’t the Valero guy tell me that when I was renting the truck and concerned about not being able to see behind me?! Why? Because he had no idea—he literally knew less than I did about how the truck operated. So, know this: If you pick up a U-Haul truck from anywhere other than the actual U-Haul Store, you may very well be on your own figuring everything out. 
The sticker that’s on the other side of the mirror, the side that doesn’t project the view, states: “DO NOT rely on rear camera or mirrors. MAKE SURE there are no children, pedestrians or obstructions behind you by walking around the rear of the truck.” That sounds good in theory, but by the time a driver finishes checking behind the truck, climbs back into the cab, hooks their seatbelt, and starts to back up, a car or person could easily be walking by. If it was a child, I doubt they would be visible since the truck sets pretty high up. I decided to to stick to my “absolutely no backing up” rule alllll the way to Ohio!
Once I was home with the truck, I attempted to load the newly purchased table into the U-Haul. After several attempts, I realized that I could not lift it high enough by myself to get it into the truck.
I thought briefly about asking a neighbor to help me with that one part, but shortly after running into that obstacle, I realized that I had another problem. I found that the glass top on the table I was taking to Ohio for the sunroom, was much too heavy for me to lift alone. It may not look like it, but that glass top weighs a ton. Plus, it’s really wide, I think 54 inches, so there was no way to get my arms around it to carry it out, even if I could have lifted it.
I remembered having seen on the U-Haul site that you can hire movers via their site. When you rent a U-haul truck, you only have three days before it has to be returned. I rented the truck on a Friday afternoon, so I calculated that I needed to get the truck loaded that evening, drive to Ohio the following day (Saturday) then unload the truck in Ohio on Sunday. The drive would take approximately 9 hours, including stopping for food and gas, and barring any serious interstate backups. I would unload the truck on Sunday, maybe with the help of my son, and return the truck on either Sunday or Monday, depending on if U-Haul was open on Sundays. So I didn’t have a lot of time to sort this loading issue out.
Hiring Help: Hiring movers through the U-Haul website has to be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I logged onto the U-Haul website, clicked on the “Moving Labor” tab, typed in the following morning’s date (Saturday, October 12) looked over the many listed movers, their reviews and rates, and chose a company with great reviews and that showed immediate availability. Within 10 minutes I received a phone call from the movers confirming for the following morning. It could not have been an easier or smoother process! This was the cost for hiring two movers for two hours. 
The movers showed up the next morning right on time and loaded everything into the truck a million times better than I could have. We had so much time left over, they helped me pack books and other items I had hoped to take (but didn’t think I’d have room) until we ran out of empty boxes. 
I wish I’d had more empty boxes because there was plenty of room (and time) left over, so I could have taken more books for the Dollhouse bookshelves. It was amazing watching the guys work—they were fast and knew exactly what they were doing. In the past when I’ve tried to hire help moving furniture (like a large bookcase) from one floor to another in my home, the price I was quoted by local moving companies was outrageous. 
Once I arrived in Ohio, I discovered my son was out of town on a camping trip with my grandsons. Again, I went to the U-haul website and hired movers to help me unload the following morning. I don’t remember the exact amount I paid (I can look it up) but it was less than I had paid in the Atlanta area for loading. Again, the guys showed up early the next morning and had the whole truck unloaded in about 45 minutes. They spent the second hour helping me attach the legs to the table I had purchased. I was so glad they were there to help because even though I could have easily handled attaching the legs, there would have been no way for me to flip it over once it was assembled.
They didn’t just bring stuff into the house, they carried it to the room where it belonged, including the wicker table, its glass top, and the heavy wicker chaise.
The moving places that I’ve called in the past when I needed a piece of furniture moved to another room or to another floor, always quoted a minimum of $500 just to come out, even if it was only for one or two pieces of furniture. I am definitely going to use U-haul again in the future when I need help moving something heavy from one floor to the next inside my home. It’s easy and fast to book, they are available immediately, and their movers charge a much more reasonable fee than movers hired through moving companies.
If I got nothing else out of this experience, learning that I can hire movers for a reasonable rate who will show up either that same day or the very next morning, is completely amazing! Did you know that about U-Haul? Okay, if you made it all the way to the end of this post and you need a good laugh, check out THIS hilarious video on Instagram. It’s so true! Ha!
Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Pssst: Did you know Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram? You’ll find me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch. Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your e-mail will never be shared. Subscribe for free post updates here: Subscribe.
When we had our wood floors refinished in our open floor plan first floor our flooring company told us about U-Haul movers and we had an excellent experience also. They fit the furniture from our living room and dining room into our sunroom like putting pieces in a puzzle! Highly recommend th to everyone and so glad it worked out well for you!
That’s awesome! I wish I had known about that service sooner, definitely could have used it in the past.
You are the WOMAN! My grandaughter rented a U Haul from Charlotte NC, to Colorado springs with her belongings, two dogs and a cat, stopping many, many time for potty breaks and to clean upchuck. We could not understand how she did it, but she was 26 at the time, aah youth!
That’s awesome! Once you get those mirrors where they need to be, it’s not so bad. That’s a lot with two dogs and a cat, though! I bet she won’t ever forget that trip!
So helpful, Susan! Thank you for sharing this.
Glad you found it helpful, Helen!
XXX
You are a badass, Lady.
lol I don’t know about that. I am stubborn though, which sometimes gets me into trouble. Ha!
Do you have to have rented a U Haul truck to hire them? If not, this would be so convenient for moving heavy furniture one orders online and has delivered only to your door!
I don’t believe so, I think anyone can hire them on the U-Haul website. Just look for the category/tab that says: Moving Labor.
Thanks for all the info. But, as I read it, I can’t believe your son couldn’t fly one way down and help his mother with the packing, the driving and unloading once you got to Ohio.
He probably would have been happy to do that if I had asked, but he’s an attorney and always has a lot on his plate, so I don’t like to ask him to take a day off to do something like that. Plus, I grew up having to do everything on my own, so I’m just used to figuring stuff out by myself. It’s really hard for me to ever ask for help, it’s usually a last resort if I do.
First of all, you are very brave to drive that truck all the way from GA to OH!! I think your idea always to park so you could drive straight out is brilliant.
And, what a fantastic suggestion to hire movers through Uhaul to move things around in the house!!! I would never have thought of that, but that’s likely what I’ll do next time I have a need.
Thanks, Ann! You know, I’ve gotten where I prefer to always park where I don’t have to back up. I’ve seen so many accidents in parking lots over the years where two cars were backing out at the same time and ended up backing into each other. Twice in the Publix parking lot near me, I’ve seen it about to happen between other cars and honked, which thankfully prevented it. It seems like a lot of accidents happen when backing up. I guess that’s why a lot of companies don’t allow their employees to back up in company-owned vehicles.
Yes, I’m so excited to know about hiring through U-Haul! I will definitely do that again when I need it.
We’ve rented UHauls before, but I’ve never driven one. You’re an inspiration to all women who have to rely on themselves to work through problems! Thanks for having us over and enjoy your week!
Thanks, Debra—appreciate that so much! I hope you have an awesome week and seeing lots of sunshine! Yay, spring!
Wow – that IS an adventure! I’ve driven a U-Haul a couple times and there’s always a “reacquainting” curve, since I usually drive a very low to the ground little car. I laughed at your side mirror struggle – I remember manhandling those mirrors around! So good to know about hiring movers through U-Haul – I’m definitely going to keep that in mind! Thanks for the story, the tip, and the party! Hope you have a great week!
Yes! I wish I had known about the movers before now, def could have used that a number of times. Have a great week, Barabara! Happy spring!
Great info! Never knew you could hire people just to load and/or unload a rental truck. Great option for the DIY mover.
Yup! I think you can hire them to move furniture even if you’re not renting a truck. I haven’t tested that theory, but I think that could be done.
XXX
WOW on SO many levels. You are a rock star. And this was so informative I am just gobsmacked. Thank you for sharing this. I am SO happy you had such a great experience, though harrowing as well. It has to feel GREAT to have an entire UHaul truck’s worth of stuff to Dayton now. Yippee. You’re getting it done one step at a time. Congrats. This was huge.
I know it seems random, the things I’m taking up…but there really is a method to my madness. Hahaha! I could write a whole post just on that crazy logic. lol
Thanks, Michele! Still so many things I want to do in that adorable cottage, hope to get a few more things done this year.
Did I not tell you that on the rear door of the UHaul it says “An Adventure In Moving” I have had too many adventures with UHaul. Because of those mirrors years ago, I put my right signal on and pulled over and almost caused an accident. Did not see the other car. Since it’s been over 20 years ago, I don’t remember labor for hire or we would have been best friends. My glass table is much bigger than yours.
Some things are only funny later.
Ha! Yes! And they are right, it is an ADVENTURE, indeed! Myrna, not sure if this video will play for you. I meant to link to it in the post, but forgot. He uses one cuss word, but the video is hilarious!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DB11-sDpaNY/
Oh wow Susan! You are too funny and forever resourceful. Good to know about the u-haul movers. It’s a good thing to keep in your back pocket. I’m glad you made it safely and successfully. I love that comedian on instagram and he’s 100% spot on. I really enjoyed this post at so many levels. Happy almost Spring. XO- MaryJo
Hahaha! Isn’t he hilarious?! The comments under his video were hysterical. One person mentioned leaving a wide berth around any U-haul they see going down the interstate. I think I’ll do that in the future, as well. lol
Happy spring, MaryJo! It was dark outside when I awoke this morning, finally getting daylight now. Hard to get used to the new time. I wonder if we’ll have to change the clocks this fall or if that will stop.
LOL! Renting a U-Haul is exactly like the Instagram Video you linked! We rented a pick up truck to buy some big pieces of plywood from the local home improvement center. It was like $20 for 1 hour. We were watching the clock to make sure we didn’t go over. (It was a U-Haul rental within a gas station situation). My husband kept checking the site to make sure they recorded the truck as returned – 8 hours later they marked it returned and said don’t worry about it. Apparently no one was waiting to rent it after us and we were only charged for the 1 hour because that’s what we booked it for.
Glad they didn’t charge more. You were smart to keep checking to make sure they got it clocked in! That was the strangest experience, renting it at a gas station. I lucked out that the truck I got was pretty new, only had around 3,000 miles on it. It did make a strange noise from time to time when I got up to around 35 mph. No telling what happens to those trucks out on the road! I know, that video cracks me up.
You go, girl! I am sitting here laughing crying because I’ve had the very same experiences renting/driving a UHaul truck. I’m 4’11” and have to crawl into that cab and then slide out. I drive them 5 miles under the speed limit and pray out loud frequently.
Wow, that’s awesome that you did it, Nancy! You must have been sitting on top of that steering wheel. I always feel like I’m too close. I know what you mean about having to slide out! Ha! I was lucky that I got a newish truck that didn’t have that many miles on it, so it drove pretty smoothly.
Susan,
That is quite a story….i had no idea that you could hire U Haul It movers…Good to know…
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!!! I truly do appreciate it as I do know the time involved with it….I hope you and your family are well and enjoying your week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks, Debbie! I hope you have an awesome week! Happy Spring!
XXX
When my daughter moved from Houston to New Orleans for graduate school, we rented a big UHaul truck. My poor husband had to drive it through those old, narrow streets of New Orleans. He was terrified and said ‘never again’. It all worked out, but I’m not sure my husband is over the stress yet. It’s been 12 years, lol. And that video is a hoot 🙂
Oh my gosh, that would be so scary! Thankfully I was pretty much on nice big roads and interstate all the way. Ha! That video cracks me up! 🙂
Gosh!!! Just reading about it caused me anxiety! So glad it all eventually went well. I’m with you about parking…I look for end-to-end parking spaces so that I can pull-through and park. I try never to back up.
Yes! After seeing so many near-wrecks and wrecks in my local Publix parking lot where people back into each other, I have started doing the same whenever I can. So much safer than backing out!
You are really inspiring – I could never do that! Love your attitude, and enjoy your blog.
I almost chickened out! It was really not that bad once I got those side mirrors working. Ha! Thanks, Kathy!
WOW! You are so brave to drive that truck as far as you did! I can’t get over it!
I need to just empty my house for new carpeting and get a pod and I’m dragging my feet. I need to just do this after reading your adventure!
Thanks, Mary! It really wasn’t so bad once I got the mirrors figured out. I think I could do it again if I had to. lol I need to recarpet my bonus room and I dread the furniture having to be moved in that room.
Susan, you are such an inspiration. I usually think I can do all things, but driving a U-Haul that many miles, I am not so sure about..Good for you..you are very independent. I love reading about your adventures and your cute dollhouse. I cannot wait to see more…
Thanks, Brenda! I grew up with very little supervision and was on my own a lot, so I guess that’s why I try to just dig in when something needs to be done. As I’m getting older, I do worry about lifting heavy stuff, so I try to be aware of not overdoing it. Thanks! I’m about to head back to the Dollhouse now that the weather is warming up a bit. I get to go through two pollen seasons this year, once in Georgia and again in Ohio! Ha!
Way to go, Susan! I’m like you… I don’t ask for help unless I absolutely have to. I’ve done a lot myself and still going at 68yrs old. Don’t tell me no because I’m a very determined person. The video was funny . I didn’t know you had pilot license. Share some pictures and adventures?? Now that’s something I will not attempt because I don’t like to fly or be on boat!.. .but I have.
I never got my pilot’s license, just took lessons while I was a Sophomore in college. I was going to college fulltime and working 20 hours a week for a veterinarian to pay for my flying lessons when I met my husband and we started dating. Before long we were planning a wedding, so I gave up the lessons, just didn’t have time to continue them with school, work and planning a wedding. But I did solo a number of times which was an incredible experience!
You can see the plane I soloed in here: https://www.cessna150152.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/printthread/Board/35/main/33537/type/thread.html
AND
here: https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/fs-cessna-150m-1975-n63149-8170tt-291smoh.102561/
I Googled the tail number a few years back and found it. ♥
I’m here to agree and second the motion to hire movers through UHaul. I hired movers – out of state & by cold call! – to help move my sister from SC back to WV. Different from you, though, we asked them to load, drive the truck back, and unload once here in WV. We packed my sister’s things, but they were surprised how well and how much we had packed and had been prepared to do more. We also hired them to use a trailer and tow my sister’s car to WV. It was an amazing experience, and so much more affordable than Pods, or other movers. I’m glad you had a great experience too, Susan!
Wow, I didn’t know you could hire them to drive the truck, that’s great to know! I may need that one day, so love hearing that! Thanks for that info., Rita! I’m always shocked by how much Pods cost so have never used those.
Best post ever! Cannot believe what you accomplish on your own. Brain-wise and brawn-wise! I can’t even backup my car properly with a camera! What a cost savings in using U-Haul movers v. a moving company. And they helped with the table legs and book packing where that would be an extra charge I am sure. Using an uber to get you to the pickup point and all the other planning going into your adventure is an inspiration for the rest of us. The video was funny! Question from my husband: Why not use Pod system?
Thanks, Kathleen! Whenever I priced using a Pod, it was really expensive. It’s been a while since I looked at the pricing, but using a U-haul was much cheaper. Of course, I purchased the max insurance they offered so that raised the price some, but it gave me peace of mind.
WOW! The whole adventure is just very impressive. Good for you for not giving up, and figuring out a way to succeed at every turn.
Thanks so much, Rosie! It was definitely an interesting adventure, I think I would feel better about driving one of those trucks now. Lol
I drive a full-size pickup that we bought when it came up for sale from my husband’s company. Not our first choice in vehicles, but a deal is a deal. 🙂 It is amazing how we can succeed at things we never thought we would. If anyone told me that I would be driving a truck at this stage of the game, I would have laughed out loud. But must admit, I DO love it, and we need a truck for all the hauling of garden stuff we buy…..maybe a smaller one for the next vehicle though….. Happy Spring to you!!!
Susan,
You are one adventurous lady! Phenomenal!
❤️ Ann
Thanks, Ann! I didn’t realize it was going to be quite the adventure that it turned out to be when I first started. LOL
I didn’t know you could hire movers from the website! How handy!