Not everyone has the budget for a full-service move, complete with packing and loading labor. If you’re planning a long-distance do-it-yourself (DIY) move, U-Pack offers transportation and storage for your belongings. Although the company doesn’t offer a wealth of additional services, we find it to be one of the best moving container companies available. We’ll break down the process of hiring U-Pack moving services and detail what you can expect from either a moving trailer or ReloCube move.

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About U-Pack

U-Pack is a self-service residential moving and storage business operated by ABF Freight. The company’s moving services are available in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada. U-Pack offers exclusively self-service, long-distance moves via trailer or self-contained storage containers called ReloCubes. You load the trailer or cube, and U-Pack will transport it for you. As of 2023, U-Pack has accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), along with excellent customer reviews. Check out our full U-Pack review for more information.

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Reserve Parking

As you prepare to move, don’t forget that you’ll need space to park either the trailer or one or more ReloCubes while you load. You can park U-Pack trailers on any solid, level surface, but you must place containers on paved surfaces. The pavement should slant no more than 5 degrees, and there needs to be at least 14 feet of overhead clearance without tree branches or low-hanging wires. For homeowners with space on their property, this might not be a problem, but if space or parking is at a premium, you must reserve it in advance.

You may need to contact your homeowners association or building management to find out what they’ll permit. In some locations, you must apply to the city for a moving permit several days in advance. If all else fails, you can take your belongings to the nearest U-Pack service center and load them into a trailer or container there, but you’ll have to use your own vehicle to transport your items.

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Preparing for Your Container

It’s a good idea to pack before U-Pack delivers your trailer or container to make your moving experience as smooth as possible. You’ll only have three days to load your trailer or ReloCube, so you should gather moving supplies and prepare as much as possible for your move date. Cardboard boxes may be sufficient if you’re moving, but if you plan to store your ReloCube for any length of time, clear plastic bins are usually the better option. Either way, make sure to clearly label all boxes or bins, and keep a detailed inventory of what goes into each one.

According to U-Pack.com, You must supply your own locks for the equipment so that only you have access to your belongings. For trailer moves, U-Pack will supply a lockable divider to keep your belongings separate from anything else on the truck. For this, you’ll need a bulkhead lock, similar to one you’d use on a trailer hitch, with a shank that’s at least 2 inches long and no more than 1/4 inch in diameter. ReloCubes have two spots for locks, one on each door, and locks should have a shank diameter of no more than 3/8 inches.

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Packing and Loading Tips

If you don’t want the hassle of loading the trailer or container yourself, you can hire a moving company to provide the labor. U-Pack can refer you to a local branch of Moving Staffers, or you can hire your own service. You’ll pay for the labor, but professional movers can get the job done more quickly with less risk of damage to your belongings. You also won’t have to risk your own safety carrying large or heavy items.

U-Pack trailers have ramps for easier loading, but if you want other equipment, such as dollies or hand trucks, you must supply them yourself. You’ll also be responsible for moving blankets, tie-down straps, and other supplies. Packing a trailer is no different from packing any moving truck, but loading a container like a U-Pack ReloCube requires a few special considerations:

• Don’t cram loose items into the container. Put as much as possible in boxes, bins, drawers, or other containers.
• If you use multiple ReloCubes, make sure to write down which items you’ve stored in each cube.
• Fill spaces between items with moving blankets, furniture pads, blankets, pillows, or other soft items.
• The containers have interior tie-down hooks, so use moving straps or ropes to secure your belongings every few feet.
• Tip large items like furniture up on their sides to load upright. You can even pack couches upright in most cases.
• Try not to put the heaviest items at one end of the ReloCube. Instead, spread them out on the base layer of each stack of belongings.
• Use as much vertical space as possible, stacking lighter items toward the top.

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Preparing for Delivery

U-Pack offers both service center and door-to-door delivery. Once again, you’ll need space for the trailer or container, so be sure to reserve parking or get a permit as necessary. U-Pack will give you a delivery window for the drop-off, and once again, you’ll have three business days to unload. You can do it yourself or hire movers to unload for you. If you need a very specific delivery window, you can upgrade to U-Pack’s Guaranteed Delivery option for an additional fee.

If your plans change or your new home isn’t ready yet, U-Pack can store your ReloCube at a service center until you’re ready for it. U-Pack will assess billing for storage monthly and will start billing from the day your ReloCube arrives at the service center, not the day you pack it. Unfortunately, you can’t access your ReloCube while it’s in storage; you’ll need to schedule delivery. At present, U-Pack customers can’t keep ReloCubes on their property for on-site storage.

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Returning Container

Since you only have three days to unload, you’ll need to schedule a time for pickup in advance. However, if you finish unloading before then, you can always call the local service center and request an earlier pickup. You don’t need to be present when the driver arrives, but make sure you’ve emptied the container or trailer and removed your lock. U-Pack will charge a fee if they have to cut a lock off themselves.

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Our Conclusion

U-Pack has some notable advantages over similar DIY moving container companies. It’s excellent for small and long-distance moves, and it often offers lower prices than its competitors. However, its containers are on the small side, and you don’t have much time to load and unload. Check out our comparison of U-Pack vs. PODS and a look at the cheapest moving container companies for more details.

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FAQ About Using U-Pack

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