Gone are the days when a mover’s only means of relocating was through the use of a rental truck. The stress of being rushed, not to mention the long drive ahead, made moving a nightmarish experience. However, in recent years, stress has been alleviated through the use of portable on demand moving units, called pods. Perhaps the desire for a stress-free, accommodating move is what inspired the making of the pods moving container.
The PODS® company, founded by Peter Warhurst in 1998, was initially a family storage business. Recognizing a need for practicality, pods were made available in several sizes and advertised as storage units. These units, in the beginning, were kept at storage facilities and not transportable. However, Warhurst made it a challenge to make pods more appealing to the public, which inspired the invention of Podzilla.
Podzilla, a hydraulic lift system, was designed to provide operators a quick, easy method when lifting and transporting pods. A lift system is needed because moving pods, conveniently, sit flat on the ground, allowing the mover to simply walk into the pod, without the use of a ramp. This feature alone contributed to PODS® success and the appeal of the moving pod.
The effectiveness of the pod is what led other major moving companies to offer a portable moving and storing solution. U-Haul® offers a portable moving unit, the U-Box, which can hold up to 2,000 pounds. U-Pack® offers the Relo-Cube, which is designed to ideally fit a standard-sized parking space. Both the U-Box and Relo-Cube offer the same easy delivery and pick-up options as PODS moving pod.
Due to the success of moving pods and other portable units, there has been a decrease in moving truck rentals. Moving trucks, while able to hold 6-7 rooms of furniture and belongings, are a headache to load and can be difficult to maneuver. Some movers prefer renting several pods, or units, just for the convenience they offer. With life being so hectic, it seems anything that can make a move less difficult is welcomed.
Since the late 1980s, moving pods have been seen in driveways and on highways, storing and transporting belongings, and for good reason. In this fast paced world, a moving pod offers the mover a chance to step back, evaluate and assess the situation, without being rushed or pushed to meet a deadline. While moving trucks remain a major moving method, pods moving containers are swiftly gaining popularity.