U-Box Pod?

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Blue

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Had a nutty idea a while ago... converting one of these...

http://www.uhaul.com/Ubox/

into a living space, figured if I do decide to go international, this would be a great way to bring a tiny hous home with me. I could even get two or three and bolt them together if I wanted even more space.

Idea came up when I saw these things left out side homes, on city streets, left behind industreal areas... I mean talk about stealth, I dont even think anybody would even suspect the possibility of somebody living in one (or three)

they are 5’ x 8’ on the ground and 7.5’ tall, so I think a single unit would give floor space for batteries, propane etc, and still leave walking room. was also thinking maybe you could get a second or third cover so you could drop the side walls and make it a slide out.

also I prefer wood to steel for the same reasons they are giving here...

Each U-Box is made of pressure treated 3/4" plywood, which provides your belongings with a stable and chemical free environment to store and transport your belongings in. This is especially important for those of you with wood furniture. Our U-Box pods breathe much better than steel containers reducing the chance for mold and mildew. Each pod is also covered with a highly durable, weather-resistant cover when delivered.

heres a little video on loading one of these, it looks like you'd have enough room for a bed, a storage wall, a micro bathroom/kitchen (well, enough for what you normally see in a campervan anyway.)

anyhoo... am I insane or what?
 
why not just use a small shipping container??

I do like the idea of wood, however, I don't think it would last all that long getting shipped everywhere. The steel will hold up to the traveling abuse much better.

plus, you can get an old refrigerated shipping container, so it's already sealed and insulated.
I've seen living quarters built from old semi trailers.
 
I was thinking in 100k miles or so when this van is all but scrap I'd get a cheap pick up with one of those to pull around, or just put in the bed of the truck (if it fit) A steel storage container would just weigh way too much for that, you'd need a semi. Also the wood would be much more easy to drill/mod for living.
 
Blue said:
Had a nutty idea a while ago... converting one of these...

anyhoo... am I insane or what?

Too good not to pass up. I have been a good boy, and trying to let this one go. I cant take it any longer~~~

Living in a pod. A pod person~~~

Definitely a "what" ;)

That idea has possibilities, but as mentioned, a storage container has a lot more room, you can buy them fairly inexpensively, and you can get one moved within one day.

Keep the ideas coming, friend.
 
welll... need more room? get two and bolt em together, need more than that, get three. it would be like having a sectional home. also, I think if you made the walls act like slide outs, two would be bigger than most RVs. and the cost of shipping a shipping container... way more than one of these.
 
moving a shipping container may cost a bit, but then you don't need to buy/insure/maintain a big vehicle that you rarely ever use.

after all, we're talking about leaving this to sit at one spot for extended stays.


but hey, go ahead and do it, and then you can say "I told you so"!! :D
 
GotSmart said:
Too good not to pass up. I have been a good boy, and trying to let this one go. I cant take it any longer~~~

Living in a pod. A pod person~~~

Definitely a "what" ;)

Go ahead and say it, we know you want to....a poddie :D
 
my buddy has 4 of the long containers stacked up 2 high, with about a 30 spred between them. He then used traditional rafters over them, roofed that, built a back wall on (he could have used another pair of containers) and now has a huge shed/building with probably 16' high eves that he parks his semi truck under, with a ton of lockable storage. Very slick set-up.
 
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