How do musicians haul their equipment to gigs?

[macmike100]

I don't know if this topic has been covered before as I am relativly new to this forum. I am probably a dinosar
compared to most of you (I'm almost 54!). But I bet I have the same needs as most of you when it comes to hauling around your equipment and also on the road traveling across the country. Right now I'm considering a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 5th wheel combination trailer (about 25' long) with a ramp door in the back for cargo and living quarters in the front. My girlfriend and I perform together as a duo. We could even practice with headphones in the cargo area (all electronic). That leaves the pickup available for driving around to gigs and what not. What do you think?
Any experiences?
Mike

[88keys]

Being 50 and a keyboard player I use a handtruck to bring my keyboards and amps into a gig.
It takes about 2 trips. but it rolls and extends to fit the 2 amps and a gig bag.
I got to find a female singer.. know any?
Besides having a good voice, she has to be able to carry equipment....LOL

[JeffBarnett]

I thought I'd share with you a new piece of gear that Sweetwater just started carrying. The Superlite is a lightweight folding hand truck made by a company called Pacific Supply & Trade. It was actually intended to be sold in luggage stores, but we thought it would make a great addition to any gigging musician's collection of widgets. (The backs of musicians all over the country heave a collective sigh of relief.)

Check it out here:
See the Superlite at Sweetwater's online Store (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail.php?action=nolog&itemid=SuperLite)

I'll post a picture of it when I can find one...

[JeffBarnett]

A more complete description can be found at Pacific Supply & Trading Company's website. (http://www.pstco.com/superlite_cobra.htm)

Some pictures:
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-demo.gif
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-folded.gif
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-open.gif

[Nika]

I've gotta second the "superlite" opinion. I'm getting on myself. It weighs something like 8 lbs, and gets thrown on top of everything in the back of the stationwagon.

Nika.

[cmchamp]

Well, besided being a sound tech, I also perform gospel music. I used to stuff all my gear to cover a 1500 audience in a 5x8 trailer. Of cource there was overflow in the bed of my truck. I have stepped up to a 6x14 trailer and will probably be grown out of that by the next year.

[Metallica_8]

The rolling Stones hall it around in Semis

[eljayemusicman]

Personally, I think that what you use is based on what kind of gear you are hauling. For me, I use a 2000 Chevrolet Express 15-passenger van. I bought it last year and I love it. I just take out the benches from the rear that I don't need and I am able to load all my gear inside. PA, instruments, lights, etc. Plus usually I still have room left over for five passengers.:)

[xstatic]

If you have a trailer with a ramp, consider getting a road coffin. You may be able to put all your gear for just a duo in one well built coffin with wheels. It will also offer much better protection from abuse, damage, and even temperature fluctuations. Also, you can get good keyboard flight cases that have wheels right on them. My rental keyboard case has wheels, and it is built to hold the keyboard stand as well:)

[Terry Allan Hall]

Originally posted by macmike100
I don't know if this topic has been covered before as I am relativly new to this forum. I am probably a dinosar
compared to most of you (I'm almost 54!). But I bet I have the same needs as most of you when it comes to hauling around your equipment and also on the road traveling across the country. Right now I'm considering a 3/4 ton pickup pulling a 5th wheel combination trailer (about 25' long) with a ramp door in the back for cargo and living quarters in the front. My girlfriend and I perform together as a duo. We could even practice with headphones in the cargo area (all electronic). That leaves the pickup available for driving around to gigs and what not. What do you think?
Any experiences?
Mike

On a similar note, I'm a solo acoustic-oriented musician and I've just bought an old BlueBird school bus, which my brother and I are working from one end to the other rebuilding/fixing/modifying...when we're through, it'll snugly carry my craft-making wife and myself and all our stuff to festivals during the spring, summer & fall months and possibly some "Strictly South" gigs during the nicer parts of winter..."Hard Winter", we'll just kick-back! ;)

Plan to make it into a really cool "tour bus"...minus the Partidge Family paint-job, of course! :D

[cbret]

Not sure whats next but stuffing 4guitars, 2 212combos, two mic booms, 4 mics, 22 effects (mounted), violin, trumpet, mandolin, big box of cables and stuff, computer, and (ahem) "personal gear" into 1 1989 dodge daytona will not be happening again; if for no other reason than it blew up coming back over the rock last trip to atlanta. Oh did I mention that I was hauling my friend's gear too?:confused:

[flattop100]

I think the problem was letting the "personal gear" drive. Chicks just don't understand cars. :smokin:

[Ed Belknap]

I've used an identical unit purchased from Grainger Industrial Supply, and it has one very annoying problem: when you pull the cart behind you, the wheels collapse inward! Isn't a problem when you push the cart in front of you, but whenever you pull it (rolling backwards in the direction towards the cargo platform) the wheels fold in and everything falls off and you curse a blue streak...


Originally posted by JeffBarnett
A more complete description can be found at Pacific Supply & Trading Company's website. (http://www.pstco.com/superlite_cobra.htm)

Some pictures:
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-demo.gif
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-folded.gif
http://www.pstco.com/images/superlite-open.gif

[alien]

get a van dude!!!