U-Haul “8 for 80” Dealer Series
In celebration of our 80th anniversary in 2025, we are highlighting eight small businesses serving as U-Haul dealers who have teamed with us to bring DIY moving products and services to their communities. These dealers may be old or new, have a fun story, a unique location, or just be in an interesting line of work. Enjoy!
Supporting the Customer
“Our job is to look out for the customer.”
That’s how Steve Burnett, owner of Big Country Storage in Douglas, Wyo., describes his approach to running a U-Haul dealership. For him, it’s about making sure every U-Haul customer understands the process, feels supported, and avoids the headaches that often come with making a residential move.
It’s a service-forward approach that has been working for nearly 25 years.
Big Country Storage opened its doors in 2001 with one mission: to provide Douglas residents with secure, reliable storage space at a fair price. When Steve looked for ways to expand the value he could offer his customers, forming a simple and profitable partnership with U-Haul was an easy choice.
“From the very start, it appeared that U-Haul would provide an additional service back to the community,” Burnett said. “It would be a benefit to our business and very synergistic to our bottom line. Somebody would move to town and need a place to store, so they would drop off their U-Haul truck or trailer and then store their stuff in one of our units. It worked out well.”
Moving and storage have always been a part of the same industry since families often need a dry and secure place to keep their cherished belongings for a period of time before and after their residential moves. A moving truck or trailer is needed to transport those items to and from the storage facility. For this reason, independent self-storage operators across the U.S. and Canada partner with U-Haul to give their customers an affordable one-stop option.
U-Haul: Every Small Town’s Solution
Douglas is a fairly small town. But what it may lack in size, it makes up for in character.
“It is a real old-school town,” noted U-Haul area field manager Brent Holder, who manages the partnership with Big Country Storage. “Everybody knows everybody.”
Employment in the energy sector has attracted people from all over the country. Residents from Utah, Texas, Louisiana, and even states east of the Mississippi. For many newcomers, it’s their first time in Wyoming. Burnett sees it as his responsibility to make sure their first impression is a good one.
“By the time we get through receiving a trailer or truck, people are pretty nervous about the type of treatment they’re going to get,” Burnett explained.
“We’re able to provide a little bit of what I’d call ‘home-type’ customer appreciation, and they definitely appreciate it.”
That personal touch — the handshake and small-town warmth — sets Big Country Storage apart. Their ability to provide the convenience of U-Haul mobility solutions creates a win-win situation for its business, customers and the city.
Caring is (Truck) Sharing
Burnett makes it clear to every new employee: reputation is everything.
“The best advertising one can have is word of mouth,” he explained. “You can offer all the bells and whistles, but if you don’t have a good reputation in the community, you’re not going to have very much business coming in.”
That philosophy has paid off. Big Country Storage has earned the reputation for being not just a place to store belongings or rent a safe and dependable U-Haul truck, but a trusted neighbor and a one-stop shop for the people of Douglas. Their partnership with U-Haul allows them to meet a broader range of needs, whether that’s helping a newcomer settle into town or making a local move easier.
As U-Haul celebrates 80 years in business, Big Country Storage epitomizes what the local dealer program is all about: small businesses serving their communities with convenience, customer service and care.
This is the sixth blog in the “8 for 80” Dealer Series. Continue visiting myuhaulstory.com for more posts.
U-Haul Dealer Network
Independent dealers have been the backbone of the U-Haul service model since 1945, accounting for almost 90% of all network rental locations.
Do you own a small business that could benefit from a supplemental income stream while meeting a basic need for your neighbors and community? If so, consider partnering with U-Haul as a dealer and start earning commissions from rental transactions at your site. Learn more at uhaul.com/dealer.
