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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
 
   
                               February 16, 1995
    
AMERCO
1325 Airmotive Way, Suite 100
Reno, Nevada 89502
 
   
        RE:  Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-57125
    
Gentlemen:
   
     You have requested our opinion as special Nevada counsel for AMERCO, a
Nevada corporation ("AMERCO"), in connection with the registration of 500,000
shares of Common Stock currently held by Paul F. Shoen ("Paul F. Shoen Common
Stock"). The Paul F. Shoen Common Stock is the subject of a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-57125 (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 By-Laws of AMERCO certified by the Secretary of AMERCO;
    
   
          4. resolutions heretofore adopted by the Board of Directors of AMERCO
     authorizing the issuance of the Paul F. Shoen Common Stock;
    
   
          5. a copy of the stock certificate representing the Paul F. Shoen
     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 Paul F. Shoen Common Stock issued by AMERCO to Paul
     F. Shoen 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 Paul F. Shoen 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 Paul F. Shoen 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 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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                                                                       EXHIBIT A
    
 
   
                               February 16, 1995
    
 
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 500,000 shares of Common Stock held by Paul F. Shoen.
    
 
     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
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 33-57125, 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