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                                                                    EXHIBIT 5(A)
 
                               November 22, 1994
AMERCO
1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89502
 
        RE:  Registration Statement on Form S-3
 
Gentlemen:
 
     You have requested our opinion as special Nevada counsel for AMERCO, a
Nevada corporation ("AMERCO"), in connection with the registration of 2,994,655
shares of Common Stock currently held by the Trust under the AMERCO Employee
Savings, Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP Trust Common
Stock"). The ESOP Trust Common Stock is the subject of a Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement").
 
     In connection with this opinion, we have examined:
 
          1. Registration Statement;
 
          2. the Articles of Incorporation of AMERCO, as amended, certified by
     the Nevada Secretary of State;
 
          3. the Bylaws of AMERCO certified by the Secretary of AMERCO;
 
          4. resolutions heretofore adopted by the Board of Directors of AMERCO
     authorizing the issuance of the ESOP Trust Common Stock;
 
          5. copies of the stock certificates representing the ESOP Trust Common
     Stock; and
 
          6. opinion of Snell & Wilmer, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
     A.
 
     We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural
persons and the conformity to originals of all copies of all documents submitted
to us. We have relied upon the certificates of all public officials and
corporate officers with respect to the accuracy of all matters contained
therein. We have relied upon the opinion of Snell & Wilmer as to matters
contained therein.
 
     In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have further assumed the
Registration Statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission");
 
     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
          1. The shares of ESOP Trust Common Stock issued by AMERCO to the ESOP
     Trust are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
          2. Under the laws of the State of Nevada, no personal liability will
     attach to the holders of any of the ESOP Trust Common Stock by reason of
     their ownership thereof.
 
     We disclaim liability as an expert under the securities laws of the United
States or any other jurisdiction.
 
     Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Nevada.
 
     This opinion is intended solely for the use of AMERCO in connection with
the registration of the ESOP Trust Common Stock. It may not be relied upon by
any other person or for any other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by
any person, without the written consent of this firm; provided, however, we
hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5(a) to the Registration
Statement and to the references to this firm contained in the Registration
Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          LIONEL SAWYER & COLLINS
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                               November 23, 1994
 
AMERCO
1325 Airmotive Way
Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89502-3239
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We are familiar with the pleadings and rulings in the action pending in the
Superior Court of Arizona in and for the county of Maricopa entitled Samuel W.
Shoen, M.D., et al. v. Edward J. Shoen, et al. (No. CV88-20139) (the
"Shareholder Litigation") and with the contested issues in the private
arbitration proceedings commenced by Sophia M. Shoen and Paul F. Shoen (the
"Arbitration"). Based upon our familiarity with the foregoing, it is our opinion
that as of the date of this opinion nothing in the Shareholder Litigation or the
Arbitration impairs the right, power, and authority of AMERCO, acting through
its current officers and directors, to authorize, execute, and file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission the Registration Statement on Form S-3
registering 2,994,655 shares of Common Stock held by the trust under the AMERCO
Employee Savings, Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
 
     Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Arizona.
 
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to Exhibit
5(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by AMERCO with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and to the references to this firm contained
in such Registration Statement.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          SNELL & WILMER