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Last Updated: Jan 01, 2025
For those looking for a cheap means to relocate from one part of the country to another, there is a perfect option for you. One of the options is by moving with ABF U-Pack container that handles the relocation process with professional drivers hauling your items in a rental moving truck.
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Since the establishment of the company in the year 1997, the company has helped relocate millions of families, and they are still counting, as U-Pack has become a household name in the moving industry.
The company is owned by ABF, a popular freight shipping company that offers shipping service to make sure your possessions reach their destination safely. U-Pack offers both container and truck rental services.
No moving company offers the same level of flexibility provided by U-Pack, even though its containers are small in size. The availability of trailer options and timely shipping makes it more of the best option for movers.
There is always the problem of how to pack and unpack your possessions, as it comes with enough stress regardless of where you are relocating to. The process will always take your time and leave you with body pain no matter what you used to bribe your friends to get them to assist you with the process. For this reason, a relocation service like U-Pack is available for you.
You can choose from the full range of relocation services it offers based on any factor you wish such as its affordability. We will outline how and when you need this relocation service in this U-Pack review. Regardless of where you are relocating and the size of your move, you will surely need this guide.
U-Pack is a relocation company that provides people relocating to long distances with varieties of options. The company started as a do-it-yourself relocation service towards the end of the 90s, meaning the company has a long term of moving experience.
The company has been consistent with its service for so long, and it allows you to load your belongings into a ReloCube or a moving trailer and have them shipped to your destination.
With this, you do not need to worry yourself about driving a large truck across the country; all you need to do is to wait for its delivery at your doorstep.
U-Pack doesn’t offer relocation services for moves below 100 miles, so if you are relocating beyond the 100 miles constraint, then the company is the best option for you. You can either call one of their representatives to supply the details of your move to them or enter it online by yourself.
They will offer you either ReloCubes or a large relocation trailer, based on their assessments of your needs. There is also an option available for you where you can rent a truck and pay for the space you used if you need more than ReloCubes and below a moving trailer.
Your container will be sent to your current home address, where you will be required to load it within three days. Loading help can be added to your order if you wish, as it is allowed in some area.
U-Pack will then ship the loaded container(s) to your new home address where you will be required to unload within three days. Unloading help can also be added to your order if you wish.
U-Pack provides you with an option to store your possessions in a safe and secure, climate-friendly center if you are not yet ready to move out of your current home into your new place.
You will be paying the storage fees monthly and cannot be shared. Your location will determine the storage rates given to you. U-Pack, unlike other storage companies, doesn’t offer you the option to have your possessions stored onsite.
You are allowed to use storage in the event of long-distance relocation, but there is no local storage. You can contact U-Pack for information about local storage in your area if they have it available in case you are renovating or remodeling your home, as there are no quotes online concerning local storage.
As earlier said, the company has helped over a million families relocate since the company came to existence in 1997, which implies that ABF U-Pack is enriched with the required experience to move your possessions to its destination safely.
When it comes to long-distance relocation, U-Pack stands tall among other container companies because of the features and services it offers which include:
Among the places being served by U-Pack includes Mexico, Canada (parts of it), Puerto Rico, and mainly, the entire 50 states in the country. Your possessions will travel across the waters to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, so be prepared to pay extra fees.
This implies that your possessions can be moved across a long route or just over the waters in a few hours. Although, the company majors in long-distance relocation, we were able to get moving quotes for shorter, local moves. You will get additional features should your move extends further.
U-Pack recommends Budget Truck Rental to customers for short distance relocations. The company is owned by ABF, a widely known shipping company, implying that they have what it takes to get your household belongings to its destination.
The ReloCube from U-Pack is of equal size, keeping it simple, unlike the different container sizes offered by some container relocation companies.
You can order for as many cubes as you need or rent a space on the company’s relocation trailers for larger moves.
The two types of containers offered by U-Pack include the small size (6-foot) ReloCube and large size, 28-foot trailers.
The entire containers from U-Pack are designed with metal and are weatherproof. The ReloCubes is placed on the ground while conveniently loading it; they are the ideal option for people with limited parking space as parking ReloCubes takes no much space.
Parking the moving trailer can be so hard due to its size, although it is more cost-effective compared to the container rentals. The inside height of the trailer also makes packing to be difficult.
The heavy presence of U-Pack in many locations is what makes it a great company. The entire 50 states, including Puerto Rico and Canada all houses U-Pack facilities.
The company covers more area than its competitors in the business, which implies that regardless of where you stay, rural or urban; U-Pack is likely to reach you for your relocation.
Any moving supplies you need are also made available by U-Pack, thereby reducing the stress that comes with relocation. Any of the supplies listed below can be ordered:
I feel it would be better if we have an insight into some moving quotes issued by U-Pack. Two metro locations are selected at random and different apartment size in each of the scenarios.
Note that there are no extras included in these sample quotes and it is just the base price – meaning that there are different factors that can influence a change in quotes, and the samples below might not be for you.
1st quote: Los Angeles to Kansas City – Two-bedroom apartment
2nd quote: Denver to Salt Lake City – Three-bedroom apartment
3rd quote: Seattle to Phoenix – One-bedroom apartment
Do-it-yourself relocation companies are offering liability coverage instead of full moving insurance. The reason behind it is that the customer handling the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking are also responsible for any resulting damage.
Just two liability protections are included in U-Pack‘s prices and they are as follows:
An additional charge is required for an increased carrier negligence options provided by U-Pack such as:
It doesn’t stop there, consider the following tips if you are looking for a way to get a discount and reduce your moving costs with U-Pack:
U-Pack stays ahead of competitions because of the wide range of services it offers. Below are the pros and cons you should put into serious consideration before you hire this company for your relocation:
The list of items not supported for packing is displayed on U-Pack’s website. Items that cannot be replaced such as photos, antiques, just to mention but few are suggested not to be placed in your moving container.
U-pack rules forbid having items such as ammo, dangerous liquids, firearms, cleaning supplies, and others in your container(s). Items that cannot withstand certain temperatures such as food and plants are also recommended not to be kept in the container, as they can be destroyed.
U-Pack serves as an intermediary between full-service relocation companies and rental trucks companies. Although you are to load your belongings yourself, you won’t be the one to drive it to your new home, and it is more convenient to store them if there is a need to.
Wrap-up of U-Pack container services and details:
Consider getting moving quotes from other service providers and compare with the quote you receive from U-Pack if you are relocating to a long distance.
For those relocating between 100 and 250 miles in distance, U-Pack is the best option for them as we’ve compared the price involved to what other companies offers.
It is also ideal for those who can load and unload their containers within a short period or that want to hire help for loading and unloading.
The heavy presence of the company everywhere makes it ideal for people living in remote areas as well. U-Pack is your best option if you are relocating in Puerto Rico, Canada, or within the United States.
If you are worried that all your possessions will not fit into the ReloCube trailer, some downsizing may be necessary. A great way to reduce the footprint of your move and reduce moving hassle is to sell or donate items you have not used in years.
Another option is to get rid of some old furniture, especially tables, chairs or sofas that are in rooms you rarely frequent. By eliminating items you are not going to find useful at your new home or apartment, you can comfortably fit the possessions, appliances and furniture that is valuable and needed.
Some of my moving boxes are very heavy, but not even halfway full. How can I ensure my items are not tossing around inside them? Filling moving boxes halfway can cause items to move around inside, especially when your relocation trailer is in transit. A useful way to fill up the moving box without adding too much weight is by adding a pillow, blanket or towel on top.
Such an item takes up a lot of space, which should fill up your box to the top. Then you can tape it up and nothing moves inside when you pick up or put down the box.
If you still have the boxes that came with your electronics and appliances, you could place them back into those boxes so they can safely go onto the moving container. If you threw out the packaging for some items, it is a good idea to wrap them in protective material.
Bubble wrap is an excellent option in such circumstances. If you do not have a ton of bubble wrap, you could use blankets or comforters. Wrap a single blanket or comforter around the item, tape it up so the blanket does not come loose, and your item is protected for the duration of the move.
No, U-Pack does not allow live plants within its containers. Even if the plants are kept indoors, they are not permitted as part of your household possessions. Other items such as cleaning chemicals, firewood, lighters, nail polish, insecticides, and fire extinguishers are not permitted either.
Customers may not place pets inside the shipment either. If you wish to inquire about placing specific items into your U-Pack moving container, it is helpful to contact the company’s customer service team.
Customers may be offered the ReloCube, a place in a shipping container, or both when they are requesting a quote from U-Pack. The ReloCube is a special, smaller moving container that you can fill up with your possessions. Each ReloCube is for a single customer, which permits you to use the entire container for the move.
In some instances, U-Pack may only offer you a section of a larger shipping container. The containers are securely divided so no one can access your possessions, but you can only fill up to a specific part of the container, as the other sections are reserved for different customers.
One of the advantages of the ReloCube is it is much smaller, which means that it is easier to store on your property while you are loading it up. The larger moving containers take up a lot more space, which may prove challenging for individuals who live on smaller plots of land or reside in apartment buildings.
It takes hard work to relocate. It can get much harder based on the amount of stress or work you are willing to engage yourself with. U-Pack provides you with the best options, so you don’t have to undergo this process all by yourself. Not having to drive the large moving truck by yourself is one of the major advantages U-Pack provides for you.
The company offers affordable rates compared with what you will be charged by a rental truck company, and the rates charged by U-pack makes up for you not having to drive or pay the fuel cost. Should you not use up the entire truck space, you will be paying for the space you used.
Is that not a good idea enough? This post has discussed all you need to know about U-Pack to help you decide on your move. Stay tuned for more informative posts on this page!
Thomas has a degree in literature from Stanford University and a profession in Mass Communication. Thomas is a member of the Moving Feedback research team, an expert in writing educative articles to help readers make the right buying decisions. He is well versed in moving industry matters to give the best advice on moving needs.