Help!!! Penske vs Uhaul (movers, address, move to, suburb)

[juancampana]

Originally Posted by UhaulManager

Fact:
U-Haul performs service on it's trucks every 5000 miles, Penske--every 8000 miles. U-haul employs thousands of ASE certified mechanics.

Fact:
U-Haul has more new trucks in it's fleet (10', 14', 17' 26') than Penske has in it's ENTIRE FLEET.

Fact:
U-haul has over 22,000 drop-off locations across the US and Canada. Penske makes it's customers drop off hundreds of miles away from the customers destination because they don't have nearly as many drop off locations, which is why they give you "unlimited" miles.

Fact:
Penske trucks are designed for loading docks, Uhaul trucks have low decks.

Fact:
U-Haul will ALWAYS beat Penske and Budget rates.

Fact:
Uhaul trucks run on unleaded fuel, Penske trucks run on diesel.

Fact: Penske will always match Uhaul and Budget rates.

Fact: Diesel will actually get better gas mileage for longer moves. You pay a little more for fuel, but will save in the long run. Do some research.

Fact: Uhaul owns more vehicles than Penske because they hold onto vehicles for over a decade. Penske tries to sell vehicles in their fleet that are over 4 years old.

Fact: Uhaul has a ton of drop-off locations. Have you seen these places? Case closed.

Fact: Penske trucks all have ramps. What difference does it make if they are slightly higher than Uhaul trucks? I didn't understand that one.

Fact: Penske trucks are much better maintained.

I have used Penske on four different moves. They have always matched a price and have delivered a quality truck. Uhaul is simply trying to live off of its name because it was the first in that market.

[juancampana]

Originally Posted by kerbo1231

also, I used U-Haul and on my one way move they gave me a free month of storage

Penske also does a month free at local storage units if you book online.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by juancampana

Fact: Penske will always match Uhaul and Budget rates.

Absolutely. Usually though they are lower when I have checked them. This time around they were already 1/2 the cost U-Haul was.

Fact: Diesel will actually get better gas mileage for longer moves. You pay a little more for fuel, but will save in the long run. Do some research.

ALWAYS go diesel if you have a chance. I have gotten better mileage with a 26' Penske diesel than I did with a 16' U-Haul gasoline rig. Plus I didn't sit on the side of the road for HOURS waiting for somebody to come out and get their "better maintained" piece of crap going again.

Fact: Uhaul owns more vehicles than Penske because they hold onto vehicles for over a decade. Penske tries to sell vehicles in their fleet that are over 4 years old.

I have NEVER had a new U-Haul. I know they are out there, but I have been handed the keys to a clap trap truck that was 10 years old and I wouldn't drive it across town, let alone across the country.

I have NEVER had a Penske truck for a one way rental that was over 2 years old.

Fact: Uhaul has a ton of drop-off locations. Have you seen these places? Case closed.

I can do you one better. Have you seen their regional maintenance facilities? I did some work in one, I wouldn't have most of those "mechanics" work on a radio flyer wagon for me. Most of the trucks that were there for maintenance was in and out the door in less than an hour with an oil change and a check of the coolant. No in depth checks, no real maintenance at all. the time included a quick power wash.

Fact: Penske trucks all have ramps. What difference does it make if they are slightly higher than Uhaul trucks? I didn't understand that one.

I never got this one either.

Fact: Penske trucks are much better maintained.

Without a doubt!

I have used Penske on four different moves. They have always matched a price and have delivered a quality truck. Uhaul is simply trying to live off of its name because it was the first in that market.

I agree with this as well. I think that first truck U-Haul rented out is probably still out there trying to do one way cross country moves. One point the other poster brought up was that Penske makes you drive a couple of hundred miles to a drop off location. While that may be true in some cases (mine for instance for the pick-up) it isn't the rule, but rather the exception. More drop off points doesn't make them safer trucks, doesn't make them newer trucks, doesn't even make them desirable. I would rather drive a couple hundred miles to have a truck I KNOW will get me to my destination without breaking down on the side of the road like the last couple U-Hauls have done. In my case I have to drive 176 miles to pick up my truck, the drop-off location is actually closer (5.5 miles) than U-Hauls drop-off location (12 miles). Not that a few miles matter after driving 1500 miles halfway across the Country.

[texascomanche]

I am preparing for a move from Dallas to Ontario Canada and had a Uhaul truck booked for the move. After comming across this web site I decided to call penske to get a price. My uhaul price was $1300 with a tow dolly so i was shocked when penske gave me a price of $440!!! wow what a savings. The only downfall is that there is no drop off location for penske in Canada. Not a big deal, I just have to drive it back to upstate NY only a few hours from where im going. Its well worth it for the 800 dollar savings. And to top it off I will have a good new reliable truck for the long drive not an old crapy uhaul

[Qwerty314]

My story:

I'm moving from Central MO to El Paso Texas. I have priced out a penske 16 foot truck rental with a tow dolly and a ten foot uhaul truck with a tow dolly. They are coming out to be about the same. Anyone have any idea which will do me best? I hear great things about Penske and not as good things about Uhaul. From what I understand the Uhaul truck will get me better gas mileage. However Penske has better service, vehicles, and unlimited miles. Cost is likely my biggest factor as I'm under a strict budget. I'm interested in spending 400 or less on gasoline for my move. Will the penske serve me better being a bigger truck (and possibly bigger engine) or with the smaller truck with Uhaul. Space is not an issue since I have very little to bring with me. Thanks forum!

[Dark of the Moon]

Originally Posted by Qwerty314

My story:

I'm moving from Central MO to El Paso Texas. I have priced out a penske 16 foot truck rental with a tow dolly and a ten foot uhaul truck with a tow dolly. They are coming out to be about the same. Anyone have any idea which will do me best? I hear great things about Penske and not as good things about Uhaul. From what I understand the Uhaul truck will get me better gas mileage. However Penske has better service, vehicles, and unlimited miles. Cost is likely my biggest factor as I'm under a strict budget. I'm interested in spending 400 or less on gasoline for my move. Will the penske serve me better being a bigger truck (and possibly bigger engine) or with the smaller truck with Uhaul. Space is not an issue since I have very little to bring with me. Thanks forum!

Did you try getting a quote on a smaller Penske truck? No need to rent a 16' if you only need a 12' .....

[Marie'sBees]

Originally Posted by Qwerty314

My story:

I'm moving from Central MO to El Paso Texas. I have priced out a penske 16 foot truck rental with a tow dolly and a ten foot uhaul truck with a tow dolly. They are coming out to be about the same. Anyone have any idea which will do me best? I hear great things about Penske and not as good things about Uhaul. From what I understand the Uhaul truck will get me better gas mileage. However Penske has better service, vehicles, and unlimited miles. Cost is likely my biggest factor as I'm under a strict budget. I'm interested in spending 400 or less on gasoline for my move. Will the penske serve me better being a bigger truck (and possibly bigger engine) or with the smaller truck with Uhaul. Space is not an issue since I have very little to bring with me. Thanks forum!

Gosh I hope you're wrong about that. I reserved a Penske based on a really horrible experience moving cross country with a Uhaul, and because the Penske diesel gets 9 MPG versus Uhaul gas at 5 MPG. Have I been totally duped?

At any rate the Penske rental came in at $740.00 and the Uhaul was $1,800 and something. But that's for a 26 foot truck; Penske has smaller trucks as well. Best of luck to you on your move!

[MoonlightCellist]

Hoping to move from PA to FL in the coming year. I'm glad I found this thread!

[Bydand]

Just returned my Penske truck after a 1500 mile one way move. Ran like a top, and even towing a vehicle it cost less than a gas rig would have. Because I had to drive a long ways to pick up the truck, Penske tossed in a couple of extra days on the rental time (mileage is unlimited already). Oldest truck I have had yet from them almost 2 years old and 120,000 miles, but with the big diesel motors, that is still almost new. Rode better than my personal vehicle and had a killer AC unit. Even had a CD player in it. Very nice people on both ends, and very good experience which is what I have come to expect and always get from them.

[eagle06]

Went with Penske based upon your recommendations for a MI to CO move next month. Price actually seems great with the internet and AAA discounts.

The cheapest option was a 16 foot gas truck. For about $200 more I could get a 22ft Diesel and a 26 ft was the same.

I could probably squeeze into a 16 foot but would much prefer the bigger truck. With the better economy of Diesel vs. gasoline do you think the fuel costs of a larger vehicle will be nominal?

Thanks