U-Haul has unveiled the biggest truck in its rental fleet in more than a decade. But believe it or not, the biggest news here isn’t even about the truck. It’s what inside that counts, rather.
The new vehicle, called the EM “Easy Mover,” is built on a medium-duty Peterbilt and carries a 29-foot cargo box. It’s large enough that U-Haul is positioning it for moves where the company’s previous largest truck stops being enough. It arrives just before the summer rush, when, by U-Haul’s count, about half of all U.S. household relocations happen.
What sits under the hood, though, is the more notable development. It’s an industry first that one of the country’s most recognizable engine builders has been working toward for several years. And now it’s out for the public to utilize for their moving needs.
This combination, a large rental truck millions of Americans will eventually drive, paired with a brand-new kind of medium-duty engine, is the first high-volume deployment of an engine the industry has been watching. It’s also good news for potential and current U-Haul customers.
What’s Inside The New Truck
The EM is U-Haul’s first new truck model since the 20-foot TT was introduced in 2011. It is built on the Peterbilt Model 536, a Class 6 medium-duty truck Peterbilt introduced in 2021 and aimed at non-CDL operators and rental fleets. The cargo box, built by U-Haul in Pomona, California, and Warrington, Pennsylvania, offers 2,057 cubic feet of interior space and a max payload of 11,939 pounds.
The gross vehicle weight is capped at 25,999 pounds, keeping it under the threshold that means you’ll need a a commercial license to drive it in in most states. It has a 12-foot clearance height, an eight-speed automatic, a 60-gallon tank, hydraulic brakes and a three-person cab.
All About The Engine
Under the hood is the Cummins B6.7 Octane, the first gasoline engine ever produced by Cummins. It is a turbocharged inline-six rated at up to 300 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque, with a governed top speed of 3,200 rpm.
The engine is built on the architecture of the diesel B6.7; Cummins says the block and internals below the head are identical to the diesel, with the changes (gasoline fuel injection, spark plugs, revised compression ratio) confined to the head.
There are several diesel-style features, including a Jacobs Engine Brake and a gear-driven air compressor. Because emissions run through passive catalysts, there’s no diesel particulate filter and no diesel exhaust fluid to manage. This engine is actually part of Cummins’s “fuel-agnostic” strategy, and it’s designed to bridge medium-duty diesel with an eventual electric future.
What To Know Before Renting
If you’re interested in trying out the truck for yourself, rentals start at $49.95 plus mileage for in-town moves. The EM is rolling out first to Los Angeles and Philadelphia, with a national rollot still to come. Because the truck stays under the 26,000-pound threshold, almost anyone with a regular driver’s license can rent one. Your mileage may vary (pun intended), however.
U-Haul has used the Peterbilt 536’s driver-assist features (TPMS, lane-departure warning, collision mitigation and a 51-foot turn radius) to argue the truck is approachable for inexperienced operators. If you do decide to pick one up, be mindful of operating. It’s a massive vehicle that does require a bit of getting used to as well as additional attention to braking, turns, and space on the road.