Suggestions and tips from U-Haul for do-it-yourself movers, best time to move and getting the best rates:

Plan your move in advance. Since nearly 45 percent of all moves occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, make your reservation now. We recommend making your reservations at least two to four weeks prior to your moving date.
Most do-it-yourself movers plan their move for Friday and Saturday. Avoid the weekend rush. Typically, Sunday through Thursday offers greater equipment availability. We recommend planning your move during this time frame.
Also, rates may be lower during this time.

Prior to your move, stop by or contact your neighborhood U-Haul moving and storage center to get help with selecting boxes and packing supplies.
Check out MovingHelp.com to get help with packing/unpacking, loading/unloading and other moving services.
Allow time for the rental process. Conduct a walk-around inspection of the equipment at the time of pickup to become familiar with its features and operation.
Ask questions during the walk-around.
Read the equipment user’s guide for tips on driving and safety.
Monitor the equipment while it is in your possession, just as your would your own personal vehicle. For instance, periodically check the oil level, tire pressures and lighting system.
Don’t want to drive a truck, check out U-Box moving and storage pods. U-Haul delivers the pods to your door; or you pick-up the U-Box pods. You pack the U-Box pods at your leisure and, U-Haul will pick up; or you return the U-Box pods and we transport it to your next destination or store it until you need it again.
Take advantage of the U-Haul 30-day free-storage offer prior to or after your one-way move. Available at convenient locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The three most important moving tips people should know when moving items on their own:

Plan ahead. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Move on a weekday if you can, when banks, utilities and government offices are open.
U-Haul customers can make their reservations online at uhaul.com, call 1-800-GO-UHAUL, or they can call or stop in at one of our convenient locations.
Pack your boxes "strategically." Choose a "packing room" ahead of time and box up a few things each day. Mark each box with its contents and destination room. That way, you and your helpers will know where each box belongs at your new home. Pack items you know you'll need (sheets, towels, toiletries, tissues and a change of clothes) in your clothes hamper on moving day and you'll know just where to find them at your new place! Have all your boxes packed before you go to rent your truck.
Load the heaviest items first, in front and on the floor. Pack items firmly and closely.
U-Haul customers can help save money and the environment. Looking for used boxes? Want to “move out” your reusable boxes? Customers can log on to uhaul.com/boxexchange to post their available boxes or review messages from individuals in their area who are offering reusable boxes they may have. With every reuse of a U-Haul box, you not only keep a new box from being manufactured, you also reduce the costs associated with recycling.
Protect your items by using our sustainable moving supplies, such as U-Haul packing peanuts which are 100 percent biodegradable or U-Haul furniture pads made from recycled denim.
Use the U-Haul packing planner to help determine your needs for moving supplies which can be downloaded for free at uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/PackingPlanner.pdf

The most common mistakes people make when moving:

Not planning ahead. Waiting until the last minute to reserve a truck or trailer. Remember, summer is the busiest moving season of the year.
Not packing their boxes ahead of time.
Not making arrangements at their destination for unloading help.
Moving is one of the most stressful times in a person's life. Our goal is to Make Moving Easier for them. Our center personnel and dealers are moving experts. We have been helping families move since 1945. We have more detailed tips on moving and storage on our Web site uhaul.com.

Suggestions and tips on securing your rental equipment:

Always secure the back door of the moving van with a padlock.
Always make sure your doors are locked.
Always park your rental equipment legally and in a well-lit area.
Back up your rental equipment as close as possible to a garage door, building or wall and if you can, park another vehicle in front of the rental truck.
When parking your vehicle at a hotel, we recommend that you park your equipment close to entry doors and again try to park in a well-lit area, making sure the equipment is locked.
When parking your vehicle at a restaurant, make sure the doors are locked, the back door of the moving van is locked and park it where you can see if from the window.
Prior to moving, look into your homeowner’s insurance policy, as some policies will cover belongings while moving as long as the insurance policy is in force during the move.

About U-Haul
U-Haul was founded by a Navy veteran who grew up during the Great Depression. Tires and gas were still rationed or in short supply during the late 1940s when U-Haul began serving U.S. customers. Today, that background is central to the U-Haul Sustainability Program: “Serving the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Our commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle includes fuel-efficient moving vans, neighborhood proximity, moving box reuse, moving pads made from discarded material and packing peanuts that are 100% biodegradable. Learn more about these facts and others at uhaul.com/sustainability.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the choice for the do-it-yourself mover. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the Company to maintain the largest rental fleet in the do-it-yourself moving industry which includes trucks, trailers and towing devices. U-Haul also offers storage throughout North America. The Company provides industry leading moving and storage boxes and an extended line of packing supplies to protect customer possessions. U-Haul is the consumer’s number one choice as the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket. The Company supplies alternative-fuel for vehicles and backyard grills as one of the nation’s largest retailers of propane.

And for some fun facts on moving, click here. For more information on Sacajawea, the young Shoshone Indian women who was instrumental on helping the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1804 survive, click here to read her full story.