Are U-Haul Trucks Waterproof? (Checked & Explained)

As if moving from one house to the other is not stressful enough, you still have to worry about the safety of your valuables. People usually worry about damage from fire or rain.

When moving during rainy months, there is usually worry about whether U-Haul trucks are waterproof or not. This is of great concern because rain can damage valuables if it seeps into the cabin of the truck.

There is also a concern about whether the rental truck is waterproof or water-resistant. This is because the two do not offer the same amount of protection against water.

In this article, we’ll be answering the question of whether U-Haul trucks are waterproof and can protect your valuables.

With that said, let’s jump right in.

Can You Expect U-Haul Trucks to Be 100% Waterproof?

U-Haul trucks are water-resistant and cannot be expected to be 100% waterproof. It is recommended to check for moisture seeping into the truck during loading and off-loading.

When worried about water seeping into the truck and potentially damaging your property, it’s best to get extra cover. This would be in the form of Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bags.

Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bags are sold separately from the rest of the U-Haul truck rental fees. These come in different sizes and are often very effective against water leakages.

The U-Haul trucks themselves are not entirely waterproof and are instead water-resistant. It means that the truck can resist the water from coming in up to a certain level.

In cases where water is a no-go for valuables inside the truck, it is best to use their Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bag. This way, you can cover your valuables so that you get peace of mind while moving.

U-Haul trucks are checked and inspected for every user before every trip. With that said, they can’t be 100% sure that the truck is not leaking.

Trucks are primarily made of metal and metal is known to rust in extreme climates. This is also why these trucks can’t be 100% waterproof as the rust sets in and damages the truck.

What About U-Haul Trailers?

U-Haul cargo trailers are water resistant and weather resistant. It is recommended to check for water leaks during loading and unloading.

It is best to use waterproof covers if you’ll be using a U-Haul trailer during bad or rainy weather conditions.

Waterproof covers, such as the Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bag, can cover your valuables to prevent water damage.

In order to ensure even better weather protection, it is best to check the trailer and equipment for damage. Weather damage such as hail can affect the integrity of the trailer and allow water leakage.

Just before taking possession of the trailer, it is best to inspect it for damage first, such as cracks and bumps. Minimal damage to the trailer means it will perform best to offer better protection from rainfall.

A tarp also works great to protect your valuables against water damage during rainy seasons. It is also recommended to keep your most valuables away from the bottom.

When covered in a tarp, your valuables are then kept on top of the pile of moved items. Keeping them away from the floor means that they’ll have minimal damage should there be a leak.

Another good practice is to check the weather conditions before moving. A storm might be on the way and your valuables are likely to get some water damage.

When loading and unloading your rental truck or trailer, it’s not often possible to see if it has a leak. In this case, checking for cracks and bumps in the equipment is a good practice.

It is also common that you find trailers that are not water-resistant at all for protecting items. These types of trailers will be marked and you’ll also be notified that they are not water-resistant.

Related: Does U-Haul Refund Unused Miles And Days? (Explained)

Are The Trucks Waterproof Or Just Water “Repellant”?

U-Haul trucks are designed to be water “repellant” rather than waterproof. This can also be called “water-resistant” which is not as effective as being waterproof.

Water-repellant means that it will be difficult for the water to reach the packed items. Water resistance is not as difficult, whereas waterproof materials are very difficult for water to seep through.

Materials used in tarps are deemed water-repellant and waterproof according to the level of effectiveness. Waterproof tarps are the best to prevent water damage.

This is why it is best to use the Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bag from U-Haul. It is designed to keep water from penetrating and potentially damaging valuables.

U-Haul sells Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bags that come in different sizes for your moving needs. These are also reasonably priced and range from $79 all the way to $120 for premium cargo carriers.

The type of Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bag that you need will depend on the type of valuables you’ll be moving. It will also depend on how big the items are in order to get multiple carrier bags.

Related: 11 Common U-Haul Questions and Answers {Explained}

Are U-Haul Boxes Waterproof?

U-Haul boxes are primarily called U-boxes and are usually covered with waterproof plastic or vinyl tarps. The boxes themselves are made of plywood and measure about 8 feet by 5 feet by 7 feet.

All U-boxes are provided with plastic or vinyl covering in order to render the box safe for transporting in rainy conditions.

U-Haul facilities can offer to pack the box for you or you can do it yourself. If at all possible, it is recommended to let the U-Haul employee pack the boxes for you.

Having said that, sometimes it is more convenient to have the boxes delivered to you so that you can pack them yourself. It is great for temporary storage and can also save you some money.

Sometimes, a U-Haul location may not have enough covers for the boxes. In such a case, it is important to check with the U-Haul location you’ll be using for the moving boxes.

If the weather is not rainy or there’s no storm coming in, you can usually go by with the boxes uncovered. However, it is not recommended to do so if the weather looks rainy, as this can damage your property.

Related: What Does U-Haul Charge For? (12 Things Checked)

What Happens If U-Haul Gets You a Leaking Truck Or Trailer?

If U-Haul provides you with a leaking truck or trailer, it is important to document the leak. This can be in the form of pictures that will serve as evidence that you were provided with a leaking truck or trailer.

Most U-Haul trucks have labels warning customers that they are water-resistant and not waterproof. The warning is also clearly stated in the pamphlet when you get your rental agreement.

With this in mind, it is always best to take as much precaution as you can to protect your property. Extra insurance and tarp usage, such as Waterproof Cargo Carrier Bags, should be enough.

You have cover packages such as Safemove, Safemove Plus, and CDW, which is Collision Damage Waiver.

SafeMove Plus and SafeMove packages have cargo coverage, whereas the CDW package only covers collisions. The first two packages are also only available for moving trucks and not for trailers and van rentals.

If you find yourself in a position where you need to claim, you can do so at any U-Haul branch. The claims process can take up to five business days and you will be provided a claim reference number.

With that said, U-Haul does take precautions to ensure that you get a truck or trailer that is not leaking. This also means that they will not issue a refund for water-damaged property due to a leaking truck.

The pre-inspector agent is responsible for checking incoming trucks and trailers for leaks. He/she goes into the truck, closes the door, and checks if there’s light coming in from a leaking area.

Upon finding a leak in the truck or trailer, the pre-inspection agent will then notify the maintenance area. The truck will then be sent into the maintenance area for repairs.