The Rarest U-Haul Truck You’ve Never Heard Of
In the summer of 1945, Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty revolutionized the moving industry by launching U-Haul. Since then, the company has become the go-to provider of equipment for do-it-yourself movers. U-Haul’s equipment has evolved significantly over the years, becoming larger and more capable. Recently, a rare U-Haul truck was discovered – the Ford Courier Mini Mover.
U-Haul used to take compact Ford Couriers and outfit them with tiny cubes, creating an affordable moving solution. The Mini Mover was part of U-Haul’s effort to provide fuel-efficient moving options in the 1970s. The truck was based on the second-generation Ford Courier, which was largely built by Mazda but given a more American look by Ford.
The U-Haul Mini Mover had a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4,650 pounds and an empty weight of 3,000 pounds. Its tiny size made it one of U-Haul’s smallest moving trucks ever. The idea behind this truck was to provide a fuel-efficient way to move small loads, such as apartment contents.
A 1978 U-Haul Mini Mover is currently for sale in Hurricane, Utah. The truck has a 5-speed manual transmission and a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Although it has been modified, including being repainted and lowered, it remains a rare find. The asking price is $10,000, which may be steep considering its condition and the lack of functional HVAC.
U-Haul fans consider these Courier-based Mini Movers to be quite rare. While they don’t appear to have significant collector value, they are a unique piece of U-Haul history. The Mini Mover concept has evolved over time, with modern versions being built on different chassis.
For those interested in this rare truck, it’s worth noting that U-Haul occasionally sells its used equipment. However, trailers are typically destroyed rather than sold.
The U-Haul Mini Mover remains a fascinating piece of automotive history, representing U-Haul’s efforts to provide innovative moving solutions in the 1970s.
