Long-Term Storage With U-Box® Containers

Renting a U-Box container gives you more flexibility than traditional moving truck or self-storage options. You can load and store your container at home, or have U-Haul pick it up to store it at one of our secure, local storage facilities for as short or as long as you need us to. With a portable container, you can move or store without having to drive back and forth to a storage unit and without having to drive a moving truck.

How Does U-Box Storage Work?

Whether you just finished packing your container today or six months ago, contact us, and we’ll pick up your containers and store them at a nearby U-Haul storage facility. Our indoor storage facilities are clean, dry and secure, so you can trust that your belongings will be kept safe. You can treat U-Box storage like traditional self-storage and access your containers as needed, or you can go without accessing them at all. When you’re ready, we’ll bring your containers to your new home or wherever you want.

How Long Can I Store My U-Box Containers at U-Haul?

You can store your portable storage containers at one of our clean, dry U-Haul storage locations for as long as you need to. It could be a few months while you renovate your home, or a year or more while you’re on deployment. There are no limits to this convenient long-term storage solution. When you store your U-Box container with us, you can access your items anytime during business hours, just give us a call to let us know you’re coming!

When Should I Use U-Box for Long-Term Storage?

U-Box for long-term storage is best in the following scenarios:

• Last Minute Delay – If your plans change at the last minute but you need to move out of your current space, keeping your U-Box containers in storage can alleviate a lot of stress.
• In Between Homes – If there is a significant gap between two residences, you can keep your things with us until your new home is ready. We’ll even bring your items to you.
• Don’t Have Space at Home – Have some stuff you don't want to get rid of but don't have the space for it? U-Box as storage would help.
• HOA Regulations – Some apartment complexes and HOAs might not allow you to store your containers at your residence. This is a perfect use case for storing containers with us.
• Downsizing – When the kids move out, you might find it’s time to get into a smaller space, but you’re not ready to part with their childhood items yet. Long-term storage can help.
• Temporary Career Change – It could be deployment or an overseas assignment. Whatever the case, long-term storage is a great way to keep things organized until you return.
• Mission Work or Sabbatical – Leaving the country for a mission or sabbatical means you could need storage for several months to years. With long-term storage, that’s not a problem.

If any of these situations or any combination of them sounds familiar to you, U-Box might be the solution for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Store a U-Box Container Long-Term?

Storing a U-Box container long-term has a similar cost to renting a self-storage unit. You pay a monthly rental fee for each container. With U-Haul, monthly U-Box fees can start as low as $74.95 per month per container.

You can also opt to pay for SafeStor® insurance to cover your belongings while they’re stored at a U-Haul facility, with coverage levels of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 so you can choose what works best for your move.

See how your monthly price can change based on location, number of containers, and insurance options in comparison to climate-controlled self-storage prices:

As you can see, the cost of renting a portable storage container can be similar to a self-storage unit, but with portable containers you have the added advantage of not needing to transport your belongings back and forth from the storage unit.

U-Box Long-Term Storage Advantages

A Name You Can Trust

We don’t contract with a third party to store U-Box containers. Your containers (and belongings) will always remain with U-Haul – a trusted leader in the self-storage and moving industry since 1945 – for as long as you keep your items in storage.

Convenience

When you use U-Box for storage long-term, there’s no need to pack the car up and drive to your storage unit. We’ll bring the container(s) to you and take them away when you’re finished packing. We’ll also ship your containers to your new home, or wherever you need them, when you’re ready.

Peace of Mind

Your containers aren’t stored out in the open in some parking lot. They’re kept in a clean, dry, and secure U-Box storage facility that you can access anytime during business hours. Our storage facilities are monitored 24/7 so you can rest assured your belongings will be taken care of. Learn more about our Safestor® storage insurance option for added peace of mind.

Flexibility

Your needs can change at any time and your U-Box reservation can be changed to accommodate. In those instances – like when your closing is delayed but you've already moved out of your current space – you have the flexibility to alter your reservation and take advantage of long-term storage.

5 Tips for Long-Term Storage in a Portable Moving Container

Packing for long-term storage is a bit different than packing for short-term. The good news is, it’s easy to get your stuff ready for long-term storage. Five important things to do before storing your items long-term are:

1. Clean and Dry Everything First
2. Use the Proper Packing Supplies
3. Load Your Containers Correctly
4. Wrap Furniture for Long-Term Storage
5. Know What NOT to Pack

Clean and Dry Everything First

We recommend you deep clean your belongings and allow them to dry fully before placing them in storage for any length of time, let alone a long time. The primary reason? Dirt, dust, and debris can damage your items over time, and leftover moisture can lead to mold or mildew growth. Allow appliances to aerate, dust and polish furniture, and thoroughly vacuum sofas and chairs.

Use the Proper Packing Supplies

Using proper packing supplies will protect your items long-term. We have a variety of moving boxes, protective materials, and specialty items available for purchase. Read our moving boxes guide to learn more.

Load Your Containers Correctly

Loading your containers correctly is just as important as using the right protective packing supplies. Here are a few tips to get you started: organize your belongings into tiers, fill gaps to reduce shifting during transit, and disassemble furniture, when possible, to make loading easier. To help you avoid issues, we put together this guide for loading a U-Box container for moving and storage.

Wrap Furniture for Long-Term Storage

It’s not enough to clean and dry your furniture. We also strongly suggest wrapping and protecting your furniture using Mover’s Wrap and Furniture Blankets. Not only does this protect against damage, but it also seals out moisture and dust. Use this packing method on appliances, wooden furniture, sofas, chairs, and other furniture items. Learn more about using Furniture Blankets.

Know What NOT to Pack

Yes, there are some things that cannot be packed in a U-Box container, whether it’s stored at your place, our place, or otherwise. Some of these items include (but are not limited to):

• Fireworks
• Hazardous waste
• Food
• Liquids
• And more

Review this guide that covers what can be packed in a U-Box container for more information, as well as a comprehensive list of items we don’t recommend you store in a portable moving container. Need to place your portable moving containers in storage soon? Visit your account page to start the process or  text 'help' to 1-800-664-5017, and a live U-Haul representative will be happy to assist you.

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