Bass transport - what vehicles work best??

[Jake deVilliers]

"There are probably 5 people on all of TB who knows what a Unimog is"

Maybe you'd be surprised!

Anyway, there's no room in the cab for a DB and the 2 metre steel bed wouldn't be very hospitable for a fragile wooden instrument. The flapping canvas tilt isn't really waterproof either, not to mention completely unsecurable.

Volkswagen Vanagon gets my vote and not only because I have two of them. I'll try to put 8 of them in there this summer and post a photo!

[M Ramsey]

I've made my case for the Honda Element as a bass friendly vehicle, now I have to add 2 more vehicles as evidence.

My daughter is now driving a 2007 Pontiac Vibe and it works nicely as a bass hauler. We haven't actually hauled a bass in the car yet, but we have done a test fit. It's a bit tighter than the Element, but it will work and it will get about 28-30 mpg around town and 34-36 mpg on the highway.

My son has just taken possession of a 2007 Dodge Caliber and it gets about the same mileage as the Vibe but with a bit more room. Same thing, just a test fit not an actual haul, at this point.

We can get a bass (in bag) and still have room for a bit of gear, clothes and room for 3 people (including the driver).

The people room is a bit better in the Element, but I'd rather ride a bit squeezed than to walk (or run) to gigs.

[nicfargo]

A friend of mine in high school drove a hearse...yes, the exact same one that carries coffins. He got it used (gross) from a dealer. That was probably the best bass hauler I'd ever seen. He could also fit plenty of people in it along with his bass and a ton of gear. Plus he looked awesome driving it all the time...I wonder how many people pulled over for him?

[anniemcu]

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

... I'd rather ride a bit squeezed than to walk (or run) to gigs.

Yup... even with a wheel on the bass, not fun!

Thanks for the info everyone!!

[anniemcu]

Originally Posted by nicfargo

A friend of mine in high school drove a hearse...yes, the exact same one that carries coffins. He got it used (gross) from a dealer. That was probably the best bass hauler I'd ever seen. He could also fit plenty of people in it along with his bass and a ton of gear. Plus he looked awesome driving it all the time...I wonder how many people pulled over for him?

Hmmm... Loads of room, high cool factor, rotten mileage... hmmm

(My bro had one in college... great for idiotic pranks... )

[PsychoScout]

noob question coming up

what's the best way to transport a DB laying down?.... on the side or on the back?
I''d suppose on the side would be the safest solution but how do you guys keep it from tipping over? (I drive a Mazda 323F so it has to be laying down with tboth backseats folded down)

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by PsychoScout

noob question coming up

what's the best way to transport a DB laying down?.... on the side or on the back?
I''d suppose on the side would be the safest solution but how do you guys keep it from tipping over? (I drive a Mazda 323F so it has to be laying down with tboth backseats folded down)

On its side is best. I drive an Element. With one back seat folded up against the side of the car there's just enough room to slide the bass in on its side, and the scroll slides in a few inches over the center console. Perfect!
Perhaps you could use bungees to your advantage. But on its back is ok too, as long as you have a way off keeping weight and pressure off the tuners and the neck. Some pillows or fabric underneath the upper bouts/heel might do the trick.

[neurotictim]

I'm not a DBer (yet) but my 2.7L V6 Dodge Magnum fit all 11 of my basses (7 in cases, 4 in gig bags), 4 guitars, and my girlfriend, all while getting about 30mpg while I was moving.

[nicfargo]

Originally Posted by anniemcu

Hmmm... Loads of room, high cool factor, rotten mileage... hmmm

(My bro had one in college... great for idiotic pranks... )

Rotten mileage didn't matter one bit when gas was right around $1 a gallon, usually cheaper. Those were the days. I remember being in high school sometimes struggling to fill my tank at those prices...I have no idea how kids do it now at $4 a gallon. Minimum wage hasn't gone up enough to counter the $4 a gallon...kids just must not drive anymore

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Another vote for a Honda Element. I've had mine for just over a month and love everything about it. The removable, hangable rear seats along with the low center console make loading and carrying my large bass very simple. I can't imagine a more useful vehicle.

[anniemcu]

Originally Posted by clink

Another vote for a Honda Element. I've had mine for just over a month and love everything about it. The removable, hangable rear seats along with the low center console make loading and carrying my large bass very simple. I can't imagine a more useful vehicle.

How is visibility?

[ZH_Driver]

Has anyone fit a DB into an Astra (I think they are "Opel/Vauxhell Astra's" in Europe / UK but I'm not sure that they sold in the USA.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by anniemcu

How is visibility?

The view through the windshield is like watching a movie. The thing is so big that I really appreciate it when driving another car. If you think I'm hyperbolating just go drive one.
However, hanging the rear passenger seat totally blocks that side window, creating a dangerous blind spot. I may just remove it.

[61pollmann]

I like small wagons, but I also like a vehicle where the entire bass fits behind the front seats. I suffered for too many years with small hatchbacks where the neck was a PITA. I currently drive a VW Passat Wagon. I put down the small rear seat behind the driver's seat, and the bass fits in perfectly. I can put two Bergie 112's behind the other rear seat. This leaves room for three people plus gear. I've driven out of state to jazz festivals where I've also carried the guitarist and all his gear. It gets about 32 mpg on trips.

George

[neal davis]

the astra is a easy fit, it is under the saturn name badge in canada right now, plenty of room