Rajan Wilcox
U-Haul offers a range of trucks for rent, varying in size from 10 feet to 26 feet. The fuel capacity of a U-Haul truck depends on its size. For instance, the 15-foot truck has a fuel tank capacity of 40 gallons, while the 26-foot truck has a capacity of 60 gallons. U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient, with features like aerodynamic elements and fuel economy gauges to help improve mileage and save costs. The company also provides a fuel estimator on the rental contract to help customers determine the amount of fuel needed to refill the truck before returning it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity | 31 gallons for 10-ft trucks, 40 gallons for 15, 17, and 20 ft trucks, and 60 gallons for 26-ft trucks |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 10-12 MPG on average, depending on truck size, towing, driving style, and weight of belongings |
| Refueling options | EZ-Fuel service or refueling the truck yourself |
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What You'll Learn
U-Haul's fuel-efficient trucks
U-Haul has designed its moving trucks to be fuel-efficient and affordable, so customers won't have to pay unnecessary gas fees. The entire fleet, including the 26-foot truck, takes unleaded gas, which is cheaper, cleaner, and more convenient. Unleaded gas is also more widely available, making refuelling easier for customers. U-Haul trucks are also designed with fuel-saving features, such as a fuel economy gauge, aerodynamic elements, and properly inflated radial tires, all of which help improve fuel efficiency and save customers money.
The fuel economy gauge, found on the dashboard of some U-Haul trucks, indicates which speed provides the best MPG, potentially saving up to 20% on fuel intake. The aerodynamic elements, such as the patented high-visibility mirrors, advanced chassis skirts, low-profile height, and rounded corners on cargo extrusions, reduce wind resistance and increase fuel economy. Properly inflated radial tires are another underrated but important aspect of fuel efficiency, and U-Haul ensures that each tire is filled to the appropriate PSI before handing over the vehicle.
The U-Haul fleet offers a range of vehicle sizes, from pickups and cargo vans to 10-foot, 15-foot, 20-foot, and 26-foot trucks. While the size of the truck does not significantly impact gas mileage, U-Haul recommends smaller options for in-town moves or small jobs. The 26-foot truck, for example, is suitable for moving the contents of a 3-to-4-bedroom house.
U-Haul provides a fuel estimator on the rental contract to help customers determine how much fuel is needed before returning the vehicle. Customers can avoid surprise fees by ensuring the truck is returned with the same fuel level as when it was picked up. While U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient, actual MPG may vary depending on driving style, weight of belongings, and other factors such as towing a trailer or using the heater or air conditioner.
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Refuelling options
When renting a U-Haul moving truck, you have two options for refueling:
EZ-Fuel Service
U-Haul offers an EZ-Fuel service, where you can return the truck without refueling it to the same level as when it was dispatched.
Refuel the Truck Yourself
If you choose to refuel the truck yourself, you must return it with the same fuel level as when it was dispatched. Before leaving the U-Haul location, check the rental contract, which states the amount of fuel in the vehicle when you pick it up. You can use the fuel estimator on the rental contract to determine how much fuel you need to add to return the truck to the original dispatch level.
Additional Refueling Tips
- U-Haul trucks generally operate on unleaded gasoline, with some rare exceptions that may run on LPG (propane) autogas or diesel.
- Always use the correct fuel type as specified in your rental agreement or on the equipment.
- Fill up the tank before starting a long journey to avoid running out of fuel.
- To improve fuel efficiency, drive at a steady speed, avoid sudden accelerations and decelerations, and distribute weight evenly when loading your belongings.
- Use the fuel economy gauge in the cab of some U-Haul trucks to determine which speed provides the best MPG.
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Fuel estimator on the rental contract
U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient and affordable. The primary truck rental fleet offered by U-Haul includes pickups, cargo vans, and 10-foot, 15-foot, 20-foot, and 26-foot trucks. The fuel tank capacity varies depending on the size of the truck. For instance, the 10-foot truck has a tank capacity of 31 gallons, while the 26-foot truck has a capacity of 60 gallons.
The rental contract outlines the terms and conditions of the rental service, including the initial fuel level of the truck. The fuel estimator on the rental contract helps you determine how much fuel to add to return the truck to its original dispatch level. Here's how you can use the fuel estimator:
- Determine the current fuel gauge reading on the vehicle.
- Compare the current reading to the fuel estimator on the contract.
- The contract will indicate the estimated number of gallons needed to return the gauge to the dispatch level.
It is important to note that U-Haul trucks generally operate on unleaded gasoline, with rare exceptions running on LPG (propane) or diesel. Returning the truck with the same fuel level as when you picked it up is part of the rental agreement. This helps you avoid surprise fees and manage your budget effectively.
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Unleaded gas
U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient and affordable, so customers can avoid paying unnecessary gas fees. The entire fleet, including the 26-foot truck, takes unleaded gas. This is cheaper, cleaner, and more convenient than diesel fuel.
The fuel tank size of a U-Haul truck varies depending on the size of the truck. The 10-foot truck has a 31-gallon tank, while the 15-foot, 17-foot, and 22-foot trucks have a 40-gallon tank. The largest tank size is 60 gallons, which is for the 26-foot truck.
The miles per gallon (MPG) for U-Haul trucks are estimated to be around 10-12 MPG, although this may vary depending on various factors. For example, the added weight of a tow trailer will decrease the MPG, as will quick acceleration, heavy braking, and the use of the heater or air conditioner. Driving in mountainous areas can also reduce fuel economy, as can dirty air filters and under-inflated tires.
To save on gas costs, it is recommended to drive at a steady speed, as gas mileage decreases at speeds above 50 mph. Balancing the weight of items evenly in the truck can also improve fuel economy.
When renting a U-Haul truck, customers have two refueling options. They can opt for the EZ-Fuel service or choose to refuel the truck themselves before returning it. If they choose the latter option, the truck must be returned with the same fuel level as when it was dispatched. The rental contract will state the fuel level at the time of pickup, and it includes a fuel estimator to help customers add the appropriate amount of fuel.
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Factors that decrease fuel efficiency
While U-Haul does not specify the fuel capacity of its trucks, they do provide some information on fuel efficiency. U-Haul trucks are designed to be fuel-efficient, with features such as aerodynamic elements that reduce wind resistance and a fuel economy gauge that helps improve mileage. On average, U-Haul trucks get around 10-12 MPG, with some users reporting mileage as low as 7 MPG for a 26-foot truck.
Now, let's discuss the factors that decrease fuel efficiency in vehicles, including U-Haul trucks:
Vehicle Design and Load
The design of a vehicle affects how air flows around it, influencing fuel efficiency. Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks are generally less fuel-efficient than smaller cars due to increased wind resistance. Additionally, towing heavy trailers or cargo on top of the vehicle increases drag, reducing fuel efficiency. U-Haul recommends balancing the weight of items evenly to boost fuel economy.
Driving Habits and Conditions
Driving habits play a significant role in fuel efficiency. Rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and speeding increase fuel consumption and reduce mileage. Stop-and-go traffic, frequent hard acceleration, and constant idling due to heavy traffic or short trips negatively impact fuel efficiency. Cold weather also affects mileage as engines take longer to reach efficient operating temperatures, consuming more fuel. Driving on hilly or mountainous terrain or unpaved roads can also decrease fuel economy.
Vehicle Maintenance and Accessories
Proper vehicle maintenance is essential for optimal fuel efficiency. Poorly tuned engines, improperly aligned or inflated tires, and dirty air filters can decrease fuel economy. Additionally, running electrical accessories, such as air conditioning, can reduce mileage. Using four-wheel drive instead of two-wheel drive also increases fuel consumption.
Fuel Type and Quality
The type and quality of fuel impact fuel efficiency. Gasoline with ethanol blends can decrease fuel economy by 3-4%. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, offers better fuel efficiency than gasoline, with a higher energy content and improved performance, resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
Technology and Innovations
Advancements in technology have led to innovations that improve fuel efficiency. Direct fuel injection systems provide greater precision in fuel injection timing and spray pattern, resulting in higher fuel efficiency and engine power. Cylinder deactivation systems (CDS) in light-duty vehicles can lower fuel consumption by up to 10% by shutting down half the cylinders when less engine power is needed.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel capacity of a U-Haul truck depends on the size of the truck. Tank sizes start at 31 gallons for 10-foot trucks and increase to 40 gallons for trucks 15, 17, and 22 feet long. The largest tank size is 60 gallons for 26-foot trucks.
The cost of fuel depends on various factors, including the distance traveled, the weight of the load, and the price of gasoline. On average, diesel costs around 30 cents more per gallon than unleaded. U-Haul trucks use unleaded gasoline.
You can use a rental truck fuel calculator to estimate the fuel cost for your U-Haul rental. The U-Haul website provides a fuel estimator on the rental contract to help you determine the fuel cost based on the distance traveled and the fuel efficiency of the truck.
The fuel efficiency of a U-Haul truck can be affected by various factors, including the weight of the load, towing a trailer, driving style, road grades, weather conditions, vehicle speed, and vehicle maintenance.
