[JohnN]

caroline, pods are 8x16 = 144 sq.feet each,
but likely about the size of the truck,

I have some high furniture (entertainment center), the penske truck is only 6'2 I think , fyi

[JohnN]

I just visited the Penske guy locally, and about three times during the conversation, he kept saying... ***but we can always deal, that MIGHT be negotiable****

so you may get a better rate, be sure to ask for it.

I'm looking at about $1200 for Penske vs $2500 for PODS,
not moving real soon so still considering other options

[784caroline]

John
You have to be concerned with Cube dimensions and when I called PODS they told me the actual interior deminisions of a 16ft POD taking into consideration the beams are
186 inches long, 83 inches wide and 90.5 inches high. Whe you say likely the size of a truck..what size truck? My figures show 2....16 foot pods are slightly bigger (200-400 cubic ft space wise depending upon how you calculate the pod space) than a 26ft penske truck. Again this is Cubic ft not sq ft dimension.

Most of my large furniture (Entertainment center and dining room china) breaks down into sections.....but still VERY heavy!

[JohnN]

784caroline,
yes, cubic feet is a key, but I'm also very concerned about height since my entertainment center doesn't break down (at least height-wise). It's about 6'8 and I don't want to lay it sideways. PODS seem quite workable but a tad expensive compared to some other alternatives.

I'm not yet sure what I'll use, I've got a little time to think on it.

[784caroline]

I just booked 2 pods from N. VA to TV and it will cost approx $3100. My problem is I just hope (like fingers crossed) that we get rid of enough of "stuff" that we can fit it all into 2 pods. WE have some very heavy stuff so a moving company that uses a weight based scale...well no thank you...that plsu the fuel surcharges thay are now hitting you with.

A Penske 26 footer would be ALOT cheaper....but I dont think a 26 footer would fit all I have, risk of drivining somethign you are unfamiliar with, inconvience since you are not ground level for load/unload purposes PLUS as someone mentioned they have a height restriction. The real issue would be the hassle since I have 2 cars ..I would have to fly back home and then drive another 2 days stay in a hotel ...just to complte the move ....not worth it. With PODS I mean everything is scheduled and I can delay delivery for when I am ready and hire the unloaders for a specific day here in TV.

One problem with PODS is that they do not rent furniture pads or blankets as Penske does. (you can buy them from PODS but they are expensive) HOwever you cannot JUST rent Furniture pads from Penske for the pads are invoiced and controled wiht the truck rental. SO in addition to renting boxes paper and bubble wrap I now have to "buy" 2 dozen Furniture Blankets...found a place on the net called Maddox Trading who had 5 lb weight moving blankets on sale for about $65 per dozen shipping included!

Anyone have a better place to buy or rent Moving pads/bankets...or better yet anyone have some????

[SteveFromNY]

I am doing the same thing, only we've already ditched most of the furniture. My house in TV was in property management, so it's furnished. Knowing my better half we will be spending a lot of time and money upgrading the rental stuff, but it's good enough to start.
We're basically moving one pod with a few pieces of furniture and a LOT of boxes. The pod is leaving on Saturday, 6/21, and will be dropped on my driveway in TV on 6/30. I have the guys coming to unload on 7/1. The pod will be gone on 7/2. Quite different than in NY, where the pod has been in my driveway for 2 months!
We also bought lots of bubble wrap (on-line) and boxes (Home Depot) and 6 blankets on-line. They were about $10 each, but they are huge and thick. I don't know about their weight, but if the ones you are looking at are even near what I got you are getting a great deal. I don't remember where I got them (I ordered thru Amazon, but don't remember who actually sent them).
I agree the pod is the way to go - street level and the convenience of pick up and delivery seemed well worth it. The whole thing, including insurance, from NYC to TV will cost between $2400 and $2600 (including 2 months rental while packing).
Perhaps other ways are cheaper, but this one seems to be the least amount of headache for me. And at this time (selling the old house and settling into a condo in NY and the house in TV) I have more than enough to keep me busy.
By the way, the pod does hold a lot of stuff. Pack it all the way to the ceiling as they say. And if possible, use the same size boxes. Makes for much more efficient stacking!

[l2ridehd]

I also bought 2 dozen furniture pads from Maddox and they were good quality. I live in N VA, but most of the pads are still in TV. I am flying down in a few weeks and driving my truck back here and will bring all but a couple of them back with me. Don't know your time table, but if it works I would lend them to you. But you really need to pad furniture well to prevent damage so $130 for pads is cheap. I first did the U Haul 17 foot truck and I rented 5 dozen pads with that plus my 2 dozen. But I always pad things well. Like every bureau would take 2 pads, end tables one, wraped table tops and table legs in pads, etc. When I got there I had zero damage. Did the same thing with the pick up truck and no damage either.


Good luck with the move.

[SteveFromNY]

l2ridehd - I arranged with Arthur Martin to help empty my pod. Thanks for the tip!

[784caroline]

Steve/I2ridehd
I also need to get "unpackers" in TV. With Arthur Martin I assume you need to reserve their services in advance. How are they priced..BY hour number of unloaders ? Were they able to handle the heavy stuff?? How long did it take to unload ..I think you said you had one pod??

I am using http://www.emove.com to identify loaders in N VA ..(using Minero Movers to load who have received great ratings) have not checked on their services for arrival in TV.

[l2ridehd]

I used Arthur Martin. I had a 17 foot U Haul that was packed to the very limit to the point I was sticking things on the very top as I was trying to close the rear door. And it was all furniture and boxes. Mostly furniture though. Bureaus, hutch, tables, sofas, beds and also very heavy stuff. I brought the lighter things down later in my pick up.

Their cost was $50 an hour for two men. Both were strong and able to move heavy things with ease. They had the entire truck unloaded, furniture set up, table legs installed etc. in 3 hours. They showed up on time and worked hard. I gave them $200 as they were very careful with everything, always laying pads down and never put a scratch on anything. Very satisfied and would use them again if needed.

[trumbull]

I am early stages of figuring out easiest way to move to TV. Can you tell how large the pod is - length and width. I will be moving only a bedroom set, kitchen table and few memory pieces and then boxes. Second question how does the insurance work if something is damaged. I will be moving from Connecitcut - 60 miles from NYC.

[JohnN]

POD - length and width for trumbull,

I'd like to confirm the height too. Thanks

[SteveFromNY]

The pods come in 2 sizes. 8x8x16 and a smaller one 8x8x12 (I think - I have the 16 footer in my driveway, so I am sure about that).

Arthur Martin quoted me $200 for 2 men for 3 hours (minimum). I guess it's around $70 per hour if it goes longer.

Insurance is an additional charge. I know how to purchase it (just say "yes" when they ask if you want insurance), but I don't know how to make a claim. They advise not to put anything that's irreplaceable in the pod, so we left out family pictures and important documents and will move them in the car.

[784caroline]

Pods for interstate (or inter-district they call it) moves will be the BIG ones 8X8X16 ...thats the only size for this type of move. A AAA card gives you the biggest discount of 10% while most oher organizations offer 5%. What is more important is the interior dimensions of a POD or truck to determine the useable cube space for packing. If you measure from the lowest point of the beams inside the pods the useable dimensions are 186" long X 83"wide X 90.5 " high. Where the beams donot exist you can actually place more items. They say one 16Ft POD is equivalent to a 32 ft Penske Truck...BUT if you have tall items the penske truck is not that high.

As for insurance my homeowners insurance (USAA) will cover a move using a POD

[784caroline]

I just found Arthur Martins on http://www.Emove.com and he has the following rates posted

2 people $50/hour ...with $25 travel charge

3 people $75/hour..with $25 travel charge

4 people #120/hour with a $50 travel charge