What is a U-Pack Relocube?
U-Pack ReloCubes are portable storage and moving containers that simplify a long-distance move. You do the packing and loading of the containers yourself, and U-Pack’s professional drivers deliver them to your new home.
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
U-Pack ranks as one of our best moving container companies, and for good reason. While you can’t use them for local moves, they offer a cost-effective option for interstate and cross-country moves where you want to save money but don’t want to go through the trouble of driving a moving truck yourself.
Read on to learn more about how U-Pack services work, and whether these portable containers are right for your move.
How do U-Pack ReloCubes work?
With ReloCubes, you pack up your belongings inside a portable moving container, then have it picked up by professional drivers and delivered to your new home. The cubes can also be used as storage — either at a service center as part of a long-distance move or on your own property or storage facility — for as long as you need.
Moving with ReloCubes is simple. Here are the basic steps:
- Figure out how many moving containers you’ll need (U-Pack can help you estimate this based on the size of your home)
- Book your move online or by phone
- U-Pack delivers the containers at the agreed-upon date
- You load the containers yourself (within three business days)
- Schedule the drop off of the containers at your new home
- You unload the containers (within three business days)
- Call U-Pack to schedule the final pickup of the empty containers
ReloCubes are available in all 50 states, as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. However, they are only available for long-distance moves. The company actually has a minimum mileage requirement of 150 miles for its moving services.
Keep in mind that door-to-door service isn’t available to all locations in Alaska. If you’re moving to a remote area, you may have to unload your items at the service center in Anchorage.
Like professional long-distance movers, the delivery timeline is based on the size of your shipment and how far it’s going. Delivery is usually made in two to five business days, but transit times can be longer on coast-to-coast moves and moves to or from Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.
Booking a ReloCube is remarkably easy. By visiting upack.com, you can get a fast and free moving quote simply by putting in your origin and destination cities or ZIP codes, the size of your home or apartment, and your moving date.
These quotes aren’t just basic estimates, either. When Chloe used U-Pack to move from Fresno, California, to Salt Lake City, she was quoted $2,952 for two ReloCube containers — and that’s exactly how much she ended up paying for her move. Even more importantly, her shipment arrived on time and without any damage.
How much can a ReloCube hold?
Unlike some of its competitors, U-Pack ReloCubes only come in one size:
- 6’3” long x 7’ wide x 8’4” high on the outside (exterior)
- 5’ 10” long x 6’ 10” wide x 7’9” high on the inside (interior)
This equates to 308 cubic feet of usable space, which typically accommodates one room’s worth of furniture and household items. Most standard household items will fit inside a ReloCube, such as:
- Sofas and loveseats (less than approximately 7.6 feet if stood upright, or less than 6.9 feet if placed flat on the floor)
- Mattresses including queens, kings, and California kings
- Dressers, chests of drawers, and wardrobes
- Appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators
Of course, it’s worth measuring if you’re not sure whether something will fit – especially if you’re moving bulky items like pianos, sectional sofas, and gun safes. Standing sofas on their ends inside containers is a great way to use space, and U-Pack offers plenty of tips on how to load a ReloCube on its website.
Each ReloCube container has a max cargo capacity of 2,500 pounds (not including the weight of the container itself), which works for most standard loads. If you have lots of books, tools, or heavy items, however, you may want to consider a different option.
For a larger household move, you can upgrade to one of the company’s 28-foot moving trailers. U-Pack’s trailers have 1,944 cubic feet of loading space — more than any other moving company.
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
How much does U-Pack ReloCube cost?
The average ReloCube cross-country moving cost ranges from $700–$6,600, depending on the size, distance, and destination of your move. One great benefit of booking your move with U-Pack is that you are only charged for the space you actually use. So, if you ordered three ReloCube containers but only used two, the company would take back the empty container and only charge you for two.
As noted earlier, you can quickly get a quote from U-Pack online that will tell you exactly how much your move will cost based on the size of your move and location. The online quote includes all taxes, tolls, and other expenses, so there are no hidden fees.
Here’s an example breakdown of what you could expect to pay when moving with U-Pack, based on a move originating in the Orlando, Florida, area:
| Move size | Number of containers | Cost (250 miles) | Cost (>1,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bedroom apartment | 1 | $941 | $1,356 |
| 2 bedrooms | 2 | $1,484 | $2,230 |
| 3 bedrooms | 3 | $1,695 | $3,162 |
| 4+ bedrooms | Trailer required | $752 | $3,192 |
U-Pack alternatives
U-Pack Moving is a great choice if you’re looking for moving containers, but they’re not the only game in town.
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Other moving container companies worth checking out include 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell, U-Haul U-Box, and PODS. moving and storage containers and can ship them internationally if needed. Each of these companies has different container sizes, availability, and pricing, so it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple providers when deciding which will be the best option for your move.
When Ryan used U-Pack to move from Portland, Oregon, to Westlake, Ohio,, U-Pack wasn’t the cheapest option, but he selected them thanks to their stellar customer service and reputation.
You’ll also want to confirm that container availability matches your moving timeline. While U-Pack only gives you three business days to load and unload, a PODS rental comes with 30 days included, giving you more time if needed.
Here’s a look at average costs for a moving container move with different companies, though keep in mind that your actual costs can vary significantly based on your location and the number of containers you use.
| Company | Container sizes | Average cost* |
|---|---|---|
| U-Pack ReloCube | 308 cubic feet | $941 |
| PODS | 402-835 cubic feet | $459-$2,180 |
| U-Haul U-Box | 257 cubic feet | $636 |
| Zippy Shell | 420–680 cubic feet | $300 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | 404–830 cubic feet | $800-$2,000 |
*Average cost is based on a 250-mile move
How many ReloCubes do you need?
Figuring out how many cubic feet your items will occupy in a moving container can be tricky. However, U-Pack generally estimates that you’ll need one ReloCube for each bedroom in your home or apartment, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of calculating the cubic feet of your space.
Here are ballpark numbers based on moderately furnished homes and apartments. If you have a lot of stuff, err on the side of getting an extra container to ensure you have enough space for everything:
- One-bedroom home or apartment: One or two containers
- Two-bedroom home: Two or three containers
- Three-bedroom home: Three or four containers
For moves larger than a three bedroom home, U-Pack generally only lets you reserve space on one of its 28-foot trailers. Regardless of whether you rent a trailer or ReloCubes, U-Pack will only charge you for the space you actually use. If you expect to use the full trailer but only use 20 feet of space, you won’t be charged for the empty portion of the freight trailer.
Should you use U-Pack ReloCube?
U-Pack ReloCube has earned its place as one of our favorite moving container companies thanks to transparent and accurate pricing, good communication and delivery timelines. But is it right for your move? Below are some factors to consider.
Use U-Pack ReloCube if:
- You don’t mind DIYing some of your move.With a ReloCube, U-Pack will handle the driving, but you’re responsible for loading and unloading. It’s a good middle ground between full-service moves and renting a moving truck — especially if you don’t feel comfortable driving.
- You’re moving cross-country. ReloCubes are an especially good option for long-distance and cross-country moves. Reliable and relatively fast delivery timelines ensure you won’t have to wait a long time for your stuff to arrive.
- You’re not sure how much space you need. You don’t have to worry about reserving too many ReloCubes or too much trailer space. If you end up using less space than expected, you won’t be charged for empty ReloCubes or unused trailer space.
Don’t use U-Pack ReloCube if:
- You need more time to pack.U-Pack only gives you three days to load up your moving container. If you’re going to need more time than that, you should consider a different container company that gives you more time.
- You have a lot of heavy, oversized, or fragile items. While ReloCubes have a lot of space, they might have trouble fitting oversized sofas (so be sure to check the dimensions of the items you need to pack). You also might have trouble safely loading and packing heavy or fragile items on your own. In this case, you might be better served enlisting the help of professional movers.
- You’re doing a local move. U-Pack doesn’t service moves of less than 150 miles.
U-Pack ReloCube FAQs
What fits in a U-Pack ReloCube?
A single U-Pack ReloCube measures roughly 6’ x 7’ x 8’ and offers 308 cubic feet of loading space. This is generally large enough to fit the furniture and household goods from one room — including items like mattresses, sofas and loveseats, appliances.
How does insurance with U-Pack work?
Whether you’re using a ReloCube or moving trailer, all moves with U-Pack include carrier negligence and catastrophic liability coverage. While not technically insurance, your items are covered at $.10 per pound per item for damage caused by carrier negligence.
You can also buy more coverage up until the day before your scheduled service. Catastrophic coverage is $3 per pound per item, with a maximum of $60,000 per trailer, and $7,500 per ReloCube for catastrophic loss caused by an accident or fire.
Since customers pack, load and unload themselves, you cannot file a claim for standard moving damage (dents, dings, and gouges).
Are U-Pack ReloCubes waterproof?
U-Pack ReloCubes are made from steel and aluminum, and therefore are completely weatherproof. You can have confidence that they will keep your items safe and dry while in transit.
Can I lock a ReloCube?
Yes, you can lock a ReloCube. ReloCubes have a latch where you can install a padlock to keep your items secure while they are in transit.
Can I track my U-Pack ReloCube during transit?
U-Pack provides a 10-digit tracking number or reference number that you can use to track your shipment online, so you can always know exactly where your items are.
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