We rented a u-haul to move cross country for $2k a few months in advance. Then a month or before we moved we changed plans, moved it by a week, we called u-haul and they said $3k. We asked around our friends and heard similar horror stories to yours, "reserved" trucks not available, having to drive to distant locations to get trucks, etc.
Fortunately hertz penske saved us with a much better price (much less than the original u-haul) on short notice and gave us a great truck.
Fortunately hertz penske saved us with a much better price (much less than the original u-haul) on short notice and gave us a great truck.