U-HAUL - Life in America

[@LighthouseCape]

Even with the soft tone of Recollection Road, the dark history behind U-HAUL is still disturbing.

[@Dave-hc6pp]

I worked at gas stations that rented U-Haul trucks and trailers in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The hitches that clamped on the bumper weighed a ton and I can remember installing them on bumpers when the temperature was below freezing and my hands were so numb I couldn’t feel them.

[@HobbyOrganist]

I remember renting the 24 foot truck around 1979 and it having stick shift on the floor, very crude all steel dash and gages, no A/C and it drove like a freight truck.

[@Dave-hc6pp]

@@HobbyOrganist yup, I was driving those around in the late early 70’s. They were as bare bones as it got. Like sitting on a buckboard.

[@CajunWolffe]

I have one of those "universal U-Haul hitches" and one of the older small trailers in good shape. Found them at a storage lot auction; I got both for $100. The bumper hitch is a collector's item only; there are no bumpers these days it would fit. To say it's heavy-duty is an understatement.

[@edwardparkhurst9804]

I've rented many of u haul in my life. Great video sir brings back memories of my life. Thanks for sharing this with us that are your fans. Outstanding job.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@elwin38]

U-Haul is still going strong!!. The founder was a Navy man just like me. #US Navy #1

[@hughstephenson2957]

I've bought several old U-Haul trucks for my trucking company. The first one was one of the 1960s Dodges that hauled parts and gear for my first trip to the Northwest Territories of Canada. It spent the rest of its life up there as the poor motor gave up north of Edmonton Alberta and had to be flat towed into Yellowknife. I also bought several late 60s and early 70s Ford F700s that were used for short haul work..

[@emeyer6963]

I remember those old Ford's.They seemed to be in the fleets forever until they got traded out for new International's in the mid 80's

[@rtrout57]

Sounds like a mini-series.

[@azmike1]

I owned and operated a moving service in AZ from 1993-2020. I owned two trucks but often rented U-hauls as well. The newer fleet ( 2017) 26 foot U-haul moving vans are fantastic! The interior is not unlike the Starship "Enterprise." Easy to drive. Quiet. Dependable. Affordable. Top drawer.

[@nickhill8612]

Wow what a sad story. I've seen greed before. I can remember when my grandmother passed away and my mom and her sister were so afraid someone might get a penny more than them. It is heartbreaking.

[@rrussell9731]

And the less inheritance there is the more it's fought over.

[@robertthomas5906]

Seems to happen a lot. My sister tried to screw me out of 15 grand and I caught her. She was the executor. I caught her after the fact. I have a feeling it was a lot more. However, I was able to prove at least that. Back then 15 grand was a lot of money. That was like a brand new full-sized Oldsmobile or Buick at the time. I am sure that's more than I paid for my college education.

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

So very sad, how human sin, will show its evil face in the form of greed, jealousy, envy, selfishness, power. Just horrible! Pray for the family to reconcile to mend their ill feelings through forgiveness and repent, ✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻

[@nickhill8612]

@@RichadTheLionHeat True you are absolutely right.

[@Porsche996driver]

Welcome to “the good old days.” No rose color lenses on this one ha. I do remember the early ‘70s as a kid seeing U-Hail trailers at the local Shell station.

[@howyoudurrinhunneh]

Not your average Recollection Road.

[@thedreadtyger]

indeed. it's horrific.

[@timmmahhhh]

You're not kidding.

[@SevenHunnid]

I’m just a Mexican stoner tryna make it out the hood by doing storytimes & reaction videos on my KZbin channel 💯💯

[@MrFlyingmonkeypants]

First time I remember watching this channel. It was like, “Oh, this should be fun. We have so many memories of happy hopeful moving days in cheerful bright orange trucks. I wonder what inspiring backstory I’ll discover here.” Now picturing my full moving van out of control, running off a cliff and exploding in the middle of herd of psychotic suicidal unicorns who ran towards the falling truck bomb.

[@bertholini2810]

Agreed, the worst I have seen yet. Definitely, NOT your average family.

[@clarencedixon3290]

All for the love of money, power and secrets. I use U- haul a few times in my lifetime. Never had an issue. They treated me well.

[@gulfportflamefighter4545]

Love of money is the rooted of all evil

[@clarencedixon3290]

@@gulfportflamefighter4545 I agreed. It depends on a person in how do with money 💰 and power. Either helping those who truly need it or abused them to hurt others in their selfish ways

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

So very sad, how human sin, will show its evil face in the form of greed, jealousy, envy, selfishness, power. Just horrible! Pray for the family to reconcile to mend their ill feelings through forgiveness and repent, ✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

Wow - never knew all this. Very sad

[@mattfleischman176]

I think I remember that episode of Unsolved Mysteries.What a sad family that was. Thanks for sharing RR. Hope see one on Jewel-Osco one day

[@samanthab1923]

Yes, I thought this sounded familiar. I saw the Unsolved back in 92.

[@billlevins7460]

I remember when I was a kid I was obsessed with U-haul trucks. I was drawn by the look of them and the color of the trucks. I would see neighbors around me renting them and I would wish so much that my family would move and we would get to rent one. We sadly never did. I finally got to rent one as a adult. It was still cool though.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@jeffsilverman6104]

Rented many trucks for many moves, and it's always been an easy company to deal with. No complaints about any employees I've dealt with over the years.

[@cdfreester]

That was probably the most dramatic story of any Recollection Road video to date. Wow! That's a movie of the week in the making.

[@corvetcoyote443]

Talk about a company that grew on blood,sweat,and tears, how shocking 🥺

[@Tiberius291]

'Unsolved Mysteries' great show with Robert Stack. I rented a U-Haul back in 1984 to move from Charleston South Carolina to Miami Florida, that's about it.

[@johnpinckney4979]

Good video. Few family businesses last beyond the second generation...

[@incog99skd11]

In 1961, my parents rented a U-Haul, packed it up and off to California we went. In 2013, we packed up a U-Haul after I sold my home in California and moved to Idaho. It seems renting a U-Haul always marked a momentous change in my life. All good memories.

[@glennso47]

I understand from Babylon Bee that Gavin Newsom has turned out to be a great U-Haul salesman with all the people who are packing up and leaving california.

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

Very interesting story. Thank you for sharing!

[@buckshot6481]

See a need, devise a solution, market it and there you go ! There was no time like it and it's certain there's never gonna be such times again !

[@mistybarquet6141]

Wow 🥺 that was a powerful story. It's a shm how money can tear apart a family 😥.

[@chriswright8464]

Used u haul many times. Never a problem.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@keithbalke6352]

Old baby-boomer here..... so melancholy reliving the memories of my " American heritage while also living thru US destruction. Bittersweet

[@timcarroll490]

WOW! I'm astounded by the bitterness. Sad. 😥 but very interesting as Recollection Road always is

[@tichdaddy1]

Wow, never knew there was such a dark side to this empire. Great video, as always.

[@macsenpuma]

Unbelievable how U-Haul continues to thrive in spite of the drama in its back rooms. Hopefully the next generation will learn the lessons, and not be as greedy as Shoen's children.

[@kirkhathaway4974]

Wow what a story thanks for postin it!!!!

[@kengoodwin5838]

What a story. I so enjoy your work.

[@davidsquires154]

I live in the Detroit, Michigan. I have noticed that U- Haul has moved into 2 Super Kmart Centers here in the Detroit area. The locations are located at: 1. On Telegraph Road and West 8 Mile Road, and it is named, U-Haul Moving and Rental Center of Northwest Detroit. 2.The second one is located on Frazaho Road and Gratiot in Roseville, Michigan. The only name is U-Haul Rental and Storage of Roseville. Both locations are former Super Kmart Centers.

[@GoodAttitudesServices]

My first memories of U haul trucks was my Dad renting a U haul to transport all of my high school band equipment to competitions in the 80s. Back when the trucks where stick shift . It wasn’t easy driving those older trucks . Later down the road I had a moving labor service and I loaded and unloaded lots of U haul trucks and renting and driving many as well . I ended up buying one of the used U Hauls to start my own delivery service . Great Historical video . Sad story about the family issues.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@elizabethcherry920]

Back in the 70s their trucks were prone to catch fire, due to not servicing the front brakes properly, my father and I knew a couple others where after using the truck the brakes would overheat and catch on fire.

[@ericksonfedor4765]

You are absolutely right about Elizabeth. How are you? Hope you having a wonderful day.

[@kyboy5]

Creeper

[@carlupthegrove262]

WOW!!! What a story

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@tomlangley6236]

U- Haul always reminds me of an old friend of mine now gone. In the 70s he would come home from the Navy and it was almost impossible to rent a car in my town at the time. So he would rent a U-Haul truck for a few days. We went cruisin in a U-Haul!....GOOD TIMES!

[@stevedeleon8775]

Hahaha!..my cousin has a 1965 Dodge 100 pick up like the picture shows!..(of course that's a 1 ton truck in the picture)

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@jonwyatt6282]

I’ve rented many u hauls and appreciate the history. Tahoe keys…. Now that’s one you need to do

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@cruzcontrol1504]

love this stuff

[@brunobiava4833]

Have rented for U-Haul several times over the years. Trucks, trailers and car haulers. Never any breakdowns or issues... but I never stopped to think about the backstory. WOW!

[@Dixie_Belle]

Wow. this is the darkest RR ever. Loved it!

[@doug9066]

When moved when growing up my dad had always rented U-Haul trucks which was the 24' which was the biggest truck U-Haul had at the time. When I moved i rented a 14' truck from U-Haul twice plus a auto transport & rented a U-Haul for a local move once so far. Thank you for sharing!

[@michaeldeloatch7461]

This is the most intriguing of these videos for me yet. A child of the 60's I assumed UHaul was always there like running water and a light switch, haha. A great example of an inspired business model whose success is well earned. I can't count the times my family and friends have been customers over the decades. Thanks for assembling and posting this.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@howardmielcarski6683]

I was a U-Haul employee off and on for 17 years. I lived through some of those days. I believe I met L.S. Shoen about 4 times in my career there. L.S. knew how to take care of his employees. I have even read his book titled "You and Me". Good job.

[@luisreyes1963]

That story sure took a dark turn.

[@orangehoof]

How often we bemoan the entrepreneur selling their from-the-bottom-up business to some corporate clowns who mess up the product and the vision that was inspired. This episode is the flip side of this. Here was an entrepreneur that became rich beyond all expectations but it didn't make him happy. The wealth probably destroyed him.

[@JasonLewis42]

Or having all of those kids at each other’s throat might have killed him

[@noble604]

This was interesting... one way moves. I’ve learned the average American moves almost 12 times in his or her lifetime. Couple that with Americans having a huge amount of stuff ... stuff that gets carted from place to place to place ... and this creates enormous business for UHaul, storage companies and moving companies. This country stays on the move. Continually moving and “upward mobility” are in the fabric of America. UHaul is a big part of this dream. Thanks for this!

[@kurtkauffman4326]

"Mom's Attic"

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really enjoyed, great video!! 👍😊🙂😉

[@carlavision6143]

When my oldest brother had a condo in Bricktown OKC the master bedroom had a window facing the U-Haul building and they had a U-Haul truck on top turning around and around. And I'd sit in there watching it while watching the cars on the interstate going by.

[@Vietnam_Vet_67]

I worked for U-Haul here in Florida as a Area Field Manager. It was a good place to work had great benefits and pay. My boss in Orlando was the best of the best. When my Mom and Dad got to where they couldn't take care of themselves I went to West Virginia to check on them and it wasn't good. I call my boss and explained the problem to him. He said or me as a AFM to transfer a 24ft truck from there to my area here in Florida and save the gas receipts to turn in as to where it wouldn't cost me 1 cent to get them to my home. Now you don't see any dedication of a company like that anymore towards a employee. WM was and still is a great man in my and my family's eyes. THANKS WM

[@johnericejr.9066]

Awesome stories thanks

[@DBAllen]

In my first nineteen years of life my family moved twenty one times. I got to think what is the use in unpacking.

[@noble604]

People in the US move more than mostly anyone on earth. You’re not alone.

[@monicaqueenan9985]

Sounds like the complexities of growing up in a military family.

[@DBAllen]

@@monicaqueenan9985 Nope, My parents just were always looking for a better deal.

[@markfryer9880]

@@DBAllen Did they manage to find that better deal? I can understand why you didn't want to unpack.

[@DBAllen]

@@markfryer9880 There was always one better down the road. I got to where I didn't even try to make friends, I just wasn't going to ne there long enough for it to matter.

[@joelfrombethlehem]

Wow! What a backstory, disturbing, to say the least. Money & greed can ruin everything, except the company - in this case, U-Haul. The company is very easy to rent from, in my several experiences. The U-Haul story presented here is somewhat similar to the family that owns Moosehead Breweries - there has been a murder in that family as well.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

The son killed his father who owned Moosehead Brewery.

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

Great idea😎👌

[@seymourmaupin6395]

Oregon in the house!

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@seymourmaupin6395]

@@amytaylor2138I am hope you as well!

[@amytaylor2138]

@@seymourmaupin6395 sure Thank you 😊 and I am also where do you live?

[@joecummings1260]

Being part Irish, and having worked for a large construction company owned by an Irish family, I can say this. Fistfights at board meetings are just a way of working out differences of opinion lol

[@ShakespeareCafe]

I remember the first time I was behind the wheel of a gigantic U-Haul moving truck. I felt like a big rig trucker sitting up high and navigating that beast through the city and backing her up.....Here I am this little kid and I'm driving a U-Haul truck (nod to goodfellas)

[@gearshifterg9756]

I was a u-haul dealer for many years, and the story about the creation of u-haul as told here is close, but not the same as I was told from my first representative, who was a friend of Leonard.

[@Paramount531]

As I write this there is a U-Haul trailer behind my pickup truck, almost emptied of my last load of stuff from my move out of CA. I didn't trust their trucks for earlier trips, I favored Penske, but the trailer was just fine.

[@Pistolpete147]

I was excited to watch this one, as I currently live in Vancouver wa, and I drive deliveries into Ridgefield, north of Vancouver. As you drive in, there is a little brown sign that says “welcome to Ridgefield, the birthplace of U-Haul” I never knew that! Great story but sad at the same time. Wow a murder and greedy kids, who knew. How sad

[@sodality3970]

I'm from Oregon , and my dad invested in U-Haul back in the day .

[@debbiemclaughlin3460]

Wow. Who knew? Could make a movie about that .

[@justsumguy2u]

Now that guy is a businessman, an American success story

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool, I have used them several times 😀

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@michaelcoffey7362]

@@amytaylor2138 Yes my day is good. 😀

[@amytaylor2138]

@@michaelcoffey7362 Glad to hear it micheal and where do you live?

[@michaelcoffey7362]

@@amytaylor2138 North Carolina

[@amytaylor2138]

@@michaelcoffey7362 How’s everything going over there in NC and what do you do micheal

[@SteveTheFordGuy985]

This is a sad story. I have rented U-Haul Trailers, & Trucks and the experience has always been great.

[@itsmommy100]

Fascinating story. I had no idea.

[@RichardinNC1]

PSA: Never try to move after a hurricane. I closed on a condo the week after a hurricane. We needed a U-Haul for a double move. A friend from the condo to a home and me from an apartment to the condo. There were none available to reserve so we stood in line an hour waiting for a truck to show up. It was a long hard day.

[@Vietnam_Vet_67]

You were lucky to even get one.

[@larryashmore489]

Always thought the company was born during the depression. Learn something new every day.

[@johnnycomelately5914]

Ryder was founded in 1933, during the depression. James A Ryder started the company in Miami, built it up and sold it. Then he started JAR-TRAN (JAR was his initials) rental n 1978 and it went belly up in 1986.

[@mike6845]

Crazy story. Never knew till now.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@footballlvnlady]

I rented a Uhaul truck to move from Wisconsin to Toronto and then Toronto to Wisconsin. Plus, a couple in town moves. Never had any problems. Too bad about the family drama.

[@DucatiGTS]

That's a really amazing story, just goes to show how greed can cause such destruction.

[@paulgordon9648]

Yep , Five marriages and twelve children would have an effect on you . Wow .

[@JimJones-gd2jy]

Five marriages, twelve kids = Straight into a telephone pole ! Damn . . Huh, I’ll pass

[@RIXRADvidz]

He had to prove his dick worked in a woman. Sad Closet Case. you see way too many of them, trying to over-compensate so no one will suspect.

[@stevengriffith436]

@@RIXRADvidz thats a funny way of putting what effects depression stress and the male ego has on straight male sex drive. But ok what ever makes you feel better.

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

@@RIXRADvidz just because you are one, doesn’t mean he was one……

[@VintageTexas59]

Yes, better being single and happy with money in the bank & no worries.

[@cartman4885]

A great American success story..................

[@browndog9402]

Have rented many a truck and trailer over the years, such a sad storey about the family, money pulls familys apart , I know

[@BradThePitts]

Until the mid 80's all U-Haul trucks had manual transmissions. I remember renting a U-Haul over Ryder just because of that.

[@stevenw1005]

I worked for U-Haul in the mid 80’s. I learned a lot working there and had the privilege to work along side some of the most dedicated people in this company. Some I worked with spoke of when L.S. (Sam) Shoen would visit some of his locations. He would usually show up in jeans and a t-shirt and looked like an average joe. He would also mingle with the employees. He was deeply missed when he was forced out.

[@coolbreeze5561]

Those old broken down U-Hauls in the 1980's. U-Haul claimed they were governed at 55 mph, however if you got one moving at 50 mph that was flying LOL

[@jaywalker712]

More like 35 mph those old junkers.

[@mikeandre9903]

Great but tragic story I am still glad that U-Haul is going strong👍👍💪

[@comfeefort]

I read somewhere, the Father would throw money, out of an office tower window.

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@jeffanderson3962]

I used the U-box when I moved back to Oregon from St Louis. You fill it up and then they load that bad boy on a truck and deliver it for you.

[@88SC]

EZ Haul wasn’t around long enough for an episode, although they had the cutest logo of all time. Some of the emerald green trailers and Chevrolet trucks still exist, in various stages of road worthiness.

[@leedaniels7196]

You’re right.I remember EZ Haul

[@88SC]

@@leedaniels7196 This might bring back some… Recollections. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roaWc2B8q6aen68

[@haircole]

Excellent story of an American family company.

[@truckupgf]

The love of money is the root of all evil.. and it sure will tear a family apart.

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Well now you're going to have to do a video about Ryder.

[@coloradostrong]

@@videodistro HAHAHA, yea, best out there for being the main rental trucks that try to make it under "The Can Opener Bridge" in Durham, NC. Ever see _that_ channel?

[@pegs1659]

@@brooksteer5629 Oh wow, you must be a really nice person. Not!

[@johnnycomelately5914]

@@videodistro Penske is no doubt cheaper, and the equipment is much newer, however, Penske doesn't offer trailers outside of a car trailer or a car dolly. You can't pull one of their car trailers or a dolly behind your truck. It has to be pulled by one of theirs.

[@marka.graffakasnakebitenat3736]

One needs to be done about Hertz. Of course there was a death in that family too.

[@bartismoellis1052]

I was a Uhaul dealer for a few years in the early 2000s . This company treats their customers like shit but they treat their dealers even worse.

[@robertabrams8562]

Wow, what a depressing story! It didn’t feel like I was watching a Recollections video

[@matthewgardner2144]

Life isn't always a bowl of cherries.

[@glennso47]

More like a soap opera.

[@MikeLutton]

sounds like a Dallas episode

[@waterheaterservices]

I shot JR

[@johnstancliff7328]

Interesting History....

[@amytaylor2138]

Hahahaha I know right Hope you are having a blessed day there??

[@jaywalker712]

In the 70's I rented a lot of trucks and had Uhaul to pull a few tricks on me, like over charging for the fuel and clean up fee. The last deal they pulled I reserved a 20 footer and a dolly and got there right at closing, they said I was ready to go dolly inside. When I arrived to where I was to load I opened the back, NO dolly but the back was stuffed full of moving blankets all new. I called the dealer first thing next morning about the dolly and he started yelling you signed for it you owe for it and slammed the phone down. After more debate he said 175.00 for the dolly, never did he mention the blankets. So I sold the blankets at flea markets for a great total and paid for the dolly, after that I rented from Ryder.

[@medusagorgon9]

I didn’t know!🤭

[@alanhumphrey4198]

Loved it when U-Haul used to used Dodge trucks for their chassis.

[@jacquelynejohnson9127]

Recently tried to rent a open U-Haul trailer, if you don't know how hard they are to find try to find one. Decided to buy an open trailer, used because I could buy a used trailer cheaper than rent one way-999.7miles , well I chickened out and ended up getting rid of most of my stuff , putting stuff on the luggage rack and into the SUV and with my 4 cats made the trip, the used trailer after I was done- give it to a church, the price for rent$480 to buy a used one, found one for$350 .

[@SantaFe19484]

Nice video!

[@michaelcase8574]

How sharper than a serpent's tooth a thankless child!

[@OcotilloTom]

Used them several time, never had a complaint.

[@missiebaker8088]

Great video, very interesting. Sad how the family ended up.

[@FriendofRamblinJack]

Thank you for doing this. NOW we will NEVER rent another U-Haul as long as we live. What reprehensible evil kids to not care about family and drive their father to take his life. Unbelievable.

[@evdallas123]

Very interesting I surmise there's very few people that knew that story u haul is an American institution for sure

[@alanhumphrey4198]

Anybody remember when a company named Jartran tried to challenge them. That was a big fat joke!!!

[@paulangus3067]

Jartran was actually started by the founder of Ryder truck when he was forced out of Ryder he started that company they used light-duty trucks that were primarily used for RVs if I recall a lot of the chassis were Dodge

[@kurtkauffman4326]

"Where will "U" go next"