Rack Transport

[FunkMetalBass]

I'm looking at a 10U rack case on wheels, and with everything in there, it will weigh upwards of 130lbs. I drive an SUV, so I'm not worried about it fitting in my car, but I am worried about getting it in and out - I've hurt myself a few times moving my cabs, and they will only weigh half as much.

To any of you that move around large pieces of gear like this, what's your technique for getting it in and out of the car/SUV?

[rpsands]

I carry a strip of carpet to set over the back bumper to prevent scratches and just slide it out until it lands on its wheels.

[Mo'Phat]

Seriously consider going with two rack cases. I had a two-amp rig in a single 8-space shock rack on wheels, and it was only about 90 lbs fully loaded...and it sucked big time to get in and out of my truck. The center of gravity is so low that you're deadlifting and awkward load each and every time.

A 10 spacer might not really be tall enough to tilt into and out of the back of your truck.

[BassmanPaul]

A 10U rack case will get old really fast. Even with casters it's going to be a bear to move. Split it up between a couple of cases. I'll not go over a 6U nowadays.

Paul

[Mo'Phat]

PS - What's in your rack case anyway...is it all just your bass rig, or do you have some PA gear in there as well?

[FunkMetalBass]

The thing is, I have two 4-space racks right now, and I can't stand the setup time. Plus, with wheels, it should be a lot easier to roll around where it's needed.

In my rack is just my bass rig - power conditioner, tuner, preamp, compressor, crossover, and power amp.

[JackANSI]

Why not use one of these and one of these?

Especially the last one because that will come in handy when you blow out a few discs moving that 10U rack

[Mo'Phat]

I hear you. Once the thing is on the ground, it'll be easy to maneuver...but 9 out of 10 stages don't have ramps, so you'll be enlisting help or muscling it up there yourself.

Same with the truck.

What 10 space rack are you looking at? Is it a road case? You might consider going with an SKB to shave weight off the rack, and/or go with a class-D power amp...that Samson of yours is a 47 lb boat anchor. Probably a great amp, but you can swap it for a Carvin that's about 15 lbs.

Your 130 lbs could be cut down to about 70 pretty easily by going with lighter-weight options.

PS: from your list, you've only got about 7 spaces required. Add one for power amp ventilation (if required)...why do you need a 10 spacer? Just curious...no offense intended.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by JackANSI

Why not use one of these and one of these?

Especially the last one because that will come in handy when you blow out a few discs moving that 10U rack

One of those might be handy for transporting everything in fewer trips. Maybe if I accompany it with a ramp of some sort to get the sucker in and out of my SUV?

Hmmm, any idea what a RocknRoller costs?

[JackANSI]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

One of those might be handy for transporting everything in fewer trips. Maybe if I accompany it with a ramp of some sort to get the sucker in and out of my SUV?

Hmmm, any idea what a RocknRoller costs?

You might be able to get away with this since you'll be able to use it to get the rack on a low stage too..

I think the RocknRoller is between 150 and 250 somewhere..


Edit: just looked, they range from $100 to $230 depending on size.

The mid sized one at MF is $155.

[Pilgrim]

I think you need to drop weight OR have more rack units with less weight each. I think a single 130-pound unit is just asking for trouble if you don't have a pair of roadies to move it for you.

Two is the minimum number I'd have - you ought to be able to build a cable harness that would allow you to interconnect them quickly.

I got rid of my heavy gear for this reason. My G-B Shuttle 6.0 puts out 600W into 4 ohms and weighs 3.75 pounds!

[JackANSI]

He's obviously happy with what he has as far as equipment in the rack... Doesn't that matter at all?

[Mo'Phat]

Pssh...no.

Edit: Also, let me add that I'm not the one suggesting he bolt a crane to the bed of his SUV to hoist his rack into. I'm worried about his back that he's already injured a few times moving his cabinets that weigh half as much as this proposed rack.

[MooseKnuckle]

You could always look into 4wheeler ramps that usually go onto pickup trucks.
http://www.discountramps.com/truck-bed-ramp.htm
But you will have to truck that around too, and still have the possiblity of stairs to the club/stage.

[MooseKnuckle]

Plus, you could free up a rackspace by getting a power strip to plug your stuff in. I've seen alot of that lately. And you could go with a BOSS TU-3 to free up another space. But I do agree with liking your own setup. If you're willing to put in the work, you can get it done.

[FunkMetalBass]

Originally Posted by Mo'Phat

Pssh...no.

123. I approve of the "idc if OP's happy - he's wrong" attitude. It's also how I approach many other threads on these forums.

Originally Posted by MooseKnuckle

Plus, you could free up a rackspace by getting a power strip to plug your stuff in. I've seen alot of that lately. And you could go with a BOSS TU-3 to free up another space. But I do agree with liking your own setup. If you're willing to put in the work, you can get it done.

I have considered the pedal tuner, but I haven't gotten into the entire pedalboard thing yet (it's really for home use only at this point), so the less I have at my feet, the better.


It's looking like the roller will be the best way to cart everything around (lightweight and portable too? bonus!), and I can just go with the carpet method and have somebody help me lower it onto the cart.

Eventually I'll get that Ampeg head of mine fixed and I'll plop it in a semi-portable combo for use when I don't care about my tone and/or I don't need a lot of power.

[MooseKnuckle]

Even if you use the pedal you can place it in the back, or on top of your rack, and use an ac adapter so you don't need 9volts. No need for it to always be on the floor.

[Mo'Phat]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

123. I approve of the "idc if OP's happy - he's wrong" attitude. It's also how I approach many other threads on these forums.

For the record (you're recording this, right?), I'm only thinking about your back. The gear you use is entirely relevant to the damage you might do to your back if you try to hoist this into your truck.

I'm not at all suggesting you change your tone at all...but that power amp is a back breaker. So might the rack be that you're looking at.

Power amps generally don't change your tone, so it might be a good weight-savings option to change it up.

[JackANSI]

Originally Posted by Mo'Phat

I'm worried about his back that he's already injured a few times moving his cabinets that weigh half as much as this proposed rack.

Why do you think I suggested the ramps and the crane?

You could shave 30 lbs off with a different power amp. That still leaves you with 100+ left that you'll still have to figure out how to move, probably spending the same money on the same stuff that you'd need (ramps or the dolly) with your current amp..

[Meatbass]

I don't know about you, but I live on dirt roads with no driveway. Wheels don't really work around here so we have to carry everything. I say we because I'm not going to lift my cabs/rack without someone else. I want to switch to two racks so I can carry my gear solo when I need to (have any plans on selling yours?).
...and watch out for gigs where you have to carry your gear up/down stairs. That 130lb's will get heavy real quick (and you're likely to hurt yourself)!