What's to chat about?

[Grant Bunter]

And you do lighting too, right? That's a lot of baggage. Good thing we love it.

True be that!
I was into lighting way before I ever got into sound.
I was a drummer before either of those...

What do you use to transport all your gear?

I have an 8 tonne pantech for my gear.
With generator, drums, backline sometimes (and a bed), I need that space. Mostly speaking, in the truck, I haven't started going up yet, so it's no stacking to this point...

[Bruce Weldy]

Yeah, #TDi club!!

I've been wanting a decent trailer for a while too!
Well, that or a sprinter van. Or both!!

Usually end up stacking it all up in the back of my brothers long-bed truck.

Trailer is the way to go. All the gear stays put between gigs. The Sprinter vans are nice - but that's a lot to spend to sit in the driveway to only get driven to gigs. And if you decide to make it your daily driver, you're right back to loading and unloading for every gig.

Trailers are pretty cheap, annual taxes and insurance are cheap compared to a vehicle, too.

My whole rig - 6 subs, 4 tops, 6 monitors, amp rack, two mixers, mic box, cables lights, etc....all fit in a 6x10 Haulmark. The key is measuring the actual footprint of the trailer, then measure your gear. Build partitions to fit your gear.

I first built an L-shaped wall that allowed me to have a little compartment that was accessible from the side door....that's were the mixers, v-plates, mics, speaker stand, spare amps live. The subs start lining up on the other side of the wall. Later, I built an L-shaped shelf that goes over the subs the the end of the trailer that's accessible from the door to put my stools, tire jack, canopy, etc.

Everything has it's place and gets packed the exact same way every time. There are only two tie-downs needed to keep everything in place. I could go without them entirely, but I don't want stuff shifting around.

Also, build a ramp to flip over the end of the trailer ramp....(definitely get a trailer with a ramp and not back doors)

And a spacer to span the gap between the trailer floor and the ramp

Just build up some scrap BB to make it.

This is a shot looking in from the side door. You can see the wall and the storage bin above.

[Seth]

Grant, gotta say I like your solution. Pretty much ideal if ya ask me. I've gotta assume there's a lift gate. What's that across your windshield?

Bruce, that's FANTASTIC! I've been going back and forth between 5x8 & 6x10. I think a 6x10 single axle with electric brakes is the right choice. From what I gather, trailer weight for something like that is 1100-1200lbs. I can tow up to about 3500 pounds, leaves enough on the table I think. Thnks for sharing your layout and pics.

Kevin, I'm completely on the same page. A sprinter would be nice, except for the payment. It might be smart for me to start doing paid gigs before signing on the dotted line. I think a trailer is going to be the way to go for now.

[CoronaOperator]

I used to point fingers and giggle at drummers... why on earth would you choose THAT as YOUR instrument? You gotta lug all those big cumbersome cases everywhere. CRAZY

And now, here I am... the sound guy

I used to say the same thing, who in their right mind would want to lug around a drum kit from party to party, now this is my typical load out NOT INCLUDING subs: (and yes I have to make room for the pooch, he comes along for load in)

I, like you guys, am badly in need of a trailer. Load in/out at the gig is enough, it's too much to do again once you get home, and with subs I have to do 2 trips from the venue in and out as not everything can fit in 1 load in my truck.

Now Seth, this doesn't concern you because you weren't a member yet way back when, but I only came here for a sub box for my car stereo 10 years ago and that's it. Now look what all you have done! I get that sound guys like company but leave the innocent out of this madness!

[Grant Bunter]

Grant, gotta say I like your solution. Pretty much ideal if ya ask me. I've gotta assume there's a lift gate. What's that across your windshield?

Bruce, that's FANTASTIC! I've been going back and forth between 5x8 & 6x10. I think a 6x10 single axle with electric brakes is the right choice. From what I gather, trailer weight for something like that is 1100-1200lbs. I can tow up to about 3500 pounds, leaves enough on the table I think. Thnks for sharing your layout and pics.

Kevin, I'm completely on the same page. A sprinter would be nice, except for the payment. It might be smart for me to start doing paid gigs before signing on the dotted line. I think a trailer is going to be the way to go for now.

No lift gate, just a ramp.
The "thing" is a windscreen saver. It's meant to stop stones and rocks making it to the windscreen.
It doesn't work, damned if I know how they get through the grill on it.

Go dual axle, especially with a 6 x 10.
It sits better full or empty. Tows better, more stable...

[CoronaOperator]

Go dual axle, especially with a 6 x 10.
It sits better full or empty. Tows better, more stable...

Absolutely, sound gear will bring that trailer up to 3500 lbs in no time

[Seth]

Now Seth, this doesn't concern you because you weren't a member yet way back when, but I only came here for a sub box for my car stereo 10 years ago and that's it. Now look what all you have done! I get that sound guys like company but leave the innocent out of this madness!

Hahaha You did sign up before me. 169 days before, same year. Same thing brought me here too.

[Seth]

Go dual axle, especially with a 6 x 10.
It sits better full or empty. Tows better, more stable...

Absolutely, sound gear will bring that trailer up to 3500 lbs in no time

It does add up quick.

[T_Gowan]

I have been bouncing around the idea of a trailer now for a couple of years, Currently putting all my stuff in a Mazda B4000 4x4 (Ford Ranger) but its at its limit now. I put lights and speaker/lighting stands behind the seats.
The trailer scares me as I have to contend with winter snow in the Great Lakes area and Georgian Bay , can be awful at times. And quit often have to load at front door of establishment with no load in area. Have to half pull up on the sidewalk to get to the door. All for 100 bucks
But Im carzy , right?

[Bruce Weldy]

All for 100 bucks
But Im carzy , right?

Yep....you are.

But, in the music business, you have the right to be crazy (or carzy). Over time, you'll probably cull out the bad-paying shows and opt to do one $400 show rather than four $100 shows. That's where I am now. Trailer doesn't leave for less than $400. But I'll mix on other rigs for $100 because I enjoy being with guys that I like and making bands sound as good as they can.

Hell, sometimes I mix for free just to help out a band that I know needs it.

[T_Gowan]

"Hell, sometimes I mix for free just to help out a band that I know needs it."

From time to time I call on a group from Cambridge Ontario, "4 Guys and a PA". All they do is none prophet all summer long just for expenses. And its full production, Moving heads, video screen, Sound. Now they are crazy (carzy, don't know how that got through spell check) As soon as the none prophet becomes prophet able; they back out and let a for prophet production provider take over. The most terrific people you would ever want to meet.

[T_Gowan]

Now in my case I'm not a system provider, I do sound and light for my own groups. So the other guys in the band have to put up with what ever I drag out to the next gig

[Bruce Weldy]

Now in my case I'm not a system provider, I do sound and light for my own groups. So the other guys in the band have to put up with what ever I drag out to the next gig

Oh, if you are doing it for your own band, then all bets are off. I dragged my trailer to all of our shows, set it up, tore it down, ran sound, and everybody got an equal share. There is certainly a different motivation for playing a gig and just running sound for one.

Have to admit that I'm loving playing in a band now where I don't have to do anything but play and sing....plus a little booking now and then.

[T_Gowan]

I'm almost 64 and been doing this public performance thing since I was 4 so hard to quit. Retinal detachment, 2 hearing aids, don't trust myself fully to do critical sound anymore. But I have 4 band on the go now lol. Keeps me poor and out of trouble.
Wish we had all the great speaker designs and tech back when I was younger and more able.

[Bruce Weldy]

I'm almost 64 and been doing this public performance thing since I was 4 so hard to quit. Retinal detachment, 2 hearing aids, don't trust myself fully to do critical sound anymore. But I have 4 band on the go now lol. Keeps me poor and out of trouble.
Wish we had all the great speaker designs and tech back when I was younger and more able.

Ha.....you've got me by a bit....I'm 62 and had my first paying gig at 12....trumpet in a polka band. We made $6 each and got a pitcher of root beer for the band.... Didn't play in a polka band again until last month at Wurstfest. Played guitar this time and made $325....so, let that be a lesson....horns don't pay well....