Wanted to get your take on this one. Yesterday I rented a U-Haul 26' moving truck for the day, and received one that was dispatched at 7/8 tank of fuel. I checked the fuel gauge and it was in the right area, but noticed when I started driving that it would fluctuate very easily (starting/stopping would affect the needle position). I did not think much of it but wondered how they figured it was at 7/8.

Anyway, at the end of the day, I stopped at a local Sheetz to top it off and then drive it out to Cranberry. I figured I'd return it with a little more fuel than I received it with, but wasn't too concerned about the overage. I watched the fuel pump climb up to 10 gallons, 15 gallons, 20 gallons.. and was thinking that something wasn't right. It topped off at 24.533 gallons. I checked the mileage, and at this point I had only driving the truck 20 miles. So I decided to take a picture of my receipt and odometer and then drove out to Rt. 19, and stopped at the 7-11 to top it off once again. I did this so that I could get some accurate numbers in case I needed to dispute a claim. The 13 mile trip required 1.522 gallons, and I calculated the mpg at 8.541 for that trip. Much better than the 3.751 mpg I originally calculated as if the truck had actually been received as stated.

I called the retail location, General Rental Center, and explained my concerns and was met with a defensive attitude and was instructed to contact the corporate office. I did, and the service rep was going to refund my overage of 1/8 tank, so I had to restate my concern about not receiving the truck with the documented 7/8 of a tank and that I was looking for assistance with the 26.055 gallons I had to place into the truck to fill it up (sans what I actually used). She took my info and told me that a field manager would contact me this Monday.

So if you wouldn't mind reviewing my numbers to help back my claim..

Dispatched at 154142.7, first fill up at Sheetz 154163.0 (total miles driven 20.3). Required 24.533 gallons.

Total mileage from Sheetz to 7-11 on Rt. 19 (Cranberry) was 13 miles (154163.0 to 154176.0), and from full, required 1.522 gallons. At this point, I calculate 8.541 mpg. At that rate I should have been able to drive the truck 222.53 miles to require as much fuel as I put in. Drop off was .3 miles from 7-11.

The receipt states this truck has a fuel capacity of 60 gallons. 60 gallons at the above mpg results in 512.46 miles per tank. 1/8 tank is 7.5 gallons, which I had overfilled and wasn't worried about. So the total of 26.055 gallons of fuel I purchased minus the 7.5 gallon overfill equals 18.555 gallons of fuel minus the 3.945 gallons I used equals a refund of 14.61 gallons or $55.94 (at $3.829). If they were to offer to refund the overage as well then I would add $28.717 for the 7.5 gallon overage at the above rate for grand total refund of $84.657.

In the future I will request the the truck be topped off prior to dispatch and I will just return it full.

All help is appreciated!

 

Once I rented a truck from them, used for about 20 miles, the gauge fell about an 8th from when I rented it. I just backed it into their driveway instead of going in forwards. Since the driveway hand an incline it looked like I put in like 10 gal of fuel.

 

Your avatar is too perfect for this post.

 

Seems like your numbers are about right to me.

But I'd warn anyone and everyone away from U-Haul if at all possible. Try renting from Budget or Penske or whoever else you have around instead. I've rented from U-Haul twice and had nothing but hassles each time, but have never had an issue with Budget. I've had several friends who've been totally screwed over by U-Haul while trying to move as well. They seem to be an organization staffed and run by angry incompetents who think they're doing you a favor by renting you a truck.