U-Haul was founded by Leonard Shoen in 1945 in Ridgefield, Washington. Shoen built rental trailers in his garage and partnered with gas stations to rent them.
By 1955, there were over 10,000 U-Haul trailers in operation.
In 1967, the U-Haul headquarters is moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1974, the company launches its own retail centers.
In 1986, Shoen’s sons, Mark and Joe complete a hostile takeover of the company.
In 1988, Leonard and a group of investors fail to regain control of the company.
In 1994, a lawsuit resulting from the 1988 incident is settled. A judgment for almost $1.5 billion is levied against Joe and Mark.
In 2003, AMERCO, U-Hauls holding company, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
In 2004, the company emerges from bankruptcy.
The company recovers and in 2017, is on track to set record profits.
Today, U-Haul is one of the largest moving and storage companies in the US, with revenue in 2006 of more than $4 billion. 
U-Haul was founded by Leonard Shoen in 1945 in Ridgefield, Washington. Shoen built rental trailers in his garage and partnered with gas stations to rent them.
By 1955, there were over 10,000 U-Haul trailers in operation.
History
In 1967, the U-Haul headquarters is moved to Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1974, the company launches its own retail centers.
In 1986, Shoen’s sons, Mark and Joe complete a hostile takeover of the company.
In 1988, Leonard and a group of investors fail to regain control of the company.
In 1994, a lawsuit resulting from the 1988 incident is settled. A judgment for almost $1.5 billion is levied against Joe and Mark.
In 2003, AMERCO, U-Hauls holding company, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
In 2004, the company emerges from bankruptcy.
The company recovers and in 2017, is on track to set record profits.
Today, U-Haul is one of the largest moving and storage companies in the US, with revenue in 2006 of more than $4 billion.