Rudey, feel for You man.
Gas for any rental truck today is going to cost a ton Of $$$$$$
They put governors on them for speed you keep it to the floor and still has one speed, crappy! U-Haul especially has junk trucks and if you rent one, buy insurance in case the damn thing breaks down.
Sell as much stuff as you can, it may be cheaper to buy new.
Can't say about the Pods, but have been seeing more of them lately.
Hiring someone as a moving company can be a crap shoot. Lots of crooks even some of the big named ones.
Good luck Dude!!!!!