Van or Trailer?

The_D · #1 07-31-2007, 08:45 PM

Which would be the best choice to buy from gig money?

I am reserving my vote at the moment but I know what I think is best for us.

msquared · #2 07-31-2007, 09:03 PM

I'm a bit torn on this one. Each choice has its own pros and cons.

I think that in the end it's a large van (airport shuttle van, diesel if possible) for me. I've heard too many horror stories of people making off with a whole trailer full of gear, and it's easy to do and not be traced. The punishment is a bit more severe and it's more difficult overall to do with a van.

On the other hand I like the modularity which comes with trailers. So maybe a trailer with Lojack?

Jonny B · #3 07-31-2007, 09:07 PM

Large van or small straight truck.

HollowBassman · #4 07-31-2007, 09:12 PM

I would hate to have to finess a trailer into the parking spots at bars that I've played at. Plus, a van would be nicer to sleep in for long distance gigs.

dcr · #5 07-31-2007, 09:15 PM

But you don't have to unload the trailer to drive to work on Monday.....

My trailer has been sitting in the yard since Sunday morning at 0300. And I haven't touched it yet!

dcr

HollowBassman · #6 07-31-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcr

But you don't have to unload the trailer to drive to work on Monday.....

My trailer has been sitting in the yard since Sunday morning at 0300. And I haven't touched it yet!

dcr

Good point.
If using the van as a daily driver, then it might be a hassle.
I was under the impression that the van would be band use only.

D.A.R.K. · #7 07-31-2007, 09:27 PM

van all the way. (have always owned a van...comes in handy for so many things besides touring)
need more room?
hook a trailer up to the van

Dave Martin · #8 07-31-2007, 09:43 PM

I'd go for a trailer, if someone has a truck, SUV or van that can pull it. Besides the previously mentioned ability to not have to unload gear whenever you get in from a gig, I like that an SUV usually gets better mileage than a van and is certainly more comfortable for long rides (a sentiment which goes double for cargo vans).

T-Bird · #9 08-01-2007, 01:09 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A.R.K.

van all the way. (have always owned a van...comes in handy for so many things besides touring)
need more room?
hook a trailer up to the van

+100.

Sam

mattq · #10 08-01-2007, 01:37 AM

you could roll like my band and get a 29' rv that sleeps ten plus a 19' foot trailer. backing up kinda sucks, but once you get used to it you can drive ANYTHING

Dave Muscato · #11 08-01-2007, 01:54 AM

We used to have a full-size (passenger) van and a 6x10 cargo trailer. We put the tube amps & instruments in the van, and everything else in the trailer... To those of you who don't unload right after a gig, you don't leave your basses & tube amps out in the heat/cold/humidity all weekend, do you??

AdlerAugen · #12 08-01-2007, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattq

you could roll like my band and get a 29' rv that sleeps ten plus a 19' foot trailer. backing up kinda sucks, but once you get used to it you can drive ANYTHING

lol I'd imagine. Lucky for me I only have to drive COMPACT cars...once in a while a midsize-er. I will NEVER own an SUV, but probably a van once I get married and have kids.

HollowBassman · #13 08-01-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdlerAugen

lol I'd imagine. Lucky for me I only have to drive COMPACT cars...once in a while a midsize-er. I will NEVER own an SUV, but probably a van once I get married and have kids.

Most of today's "SUVs" are just vans without sliding doors!

The_D · #14 08-01-2007, 06:05 AM

Well I voted Trailer due to the fact that it doesnt need MOT'd or Taxed. I would also hate to buy a cheep van and have it eat up all our future gig money to keep it on the road.

I am still taking on all the points made here and will bring it up at practice tonight.

synaesthesia · #15 08-01-2007, 06:05 AM

I'm in the market for a used trailer.

I prefer a trailer, you can travel in comfort of a car with some company, not worry about wrecking the suspension of your compact car with your racks, basses, cabs etc....

iplaybassguitar · #16 08-01-2007, 07:12 AM

depends on how much stuff you have?

iplaybassguitar · #17 08-01-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattq

you could roll like my band and get a 29' rv that sleeps ten plus a 19' foot trailer. backing up kinda sucks, but once you get used to it you can drive ANYTHING

are you justin timberlakes bassist or something?

steve66 · #18 08-01-2007, 07:27 AM

Trailer

If you are hauling only your stuff and it fits in a car. I would say thats great. I wouldnt rely on a truck to haul all of the bands equipment. You never know when it may break down. I can be a PITA. At least with a trailor you can always hook it to most vehicles these days. The chances of getting to the gig on time is increased.

lpdeluxe · #19 08-01-2007, 08:15 AM

Our band has a trailer that carries the PA, light system, and drums. Everyone else hauls his own gear (amp, bass, amp stand etc in my case) to the gig. This is rural area, so we don't have to back down narrow alleys.

We found an enclosed trailer that's about 6' 6" inside (but watch your head on that low rear opening!) with a back door that lowers for use as a loading ramp. We back up to the load-in door, drop the ramp, and wheel gear in on hand trucks.

The trailer has space on the sides for our band's logo. In urban areas such identification can be an invitation to thieves, but the trailer is never left outside when it's loaded (it's small enough that the singer parks it in his garage between gigs).

The furthest we ordinarily travel is 30 miles, although we have a gig coming up about 75 miles away.

Upkeep on the trailer is much less than for a van: we hook it up behind one of the band members' pickup, and don't have a gas guzzler the rest of the time. I have known bands with vans, and the vehicle seemed to eat up a lot of gig money for them.

If you must have a van, why not rent one for the gig?

Deacon_Blues · #20 08-01-2007, 09:25 AM

I'd go for a big trailer, if anyone in the band has a car powerful enough to pull it. He should of course be compensated for pulling it.

One option is to rent a vehicle for the gigs. My first band used to do this a lot for gigs further away (about 100 km or more one way). It was very convenient and reasonably cheap, about 80-150 euros + gasoline/diesel. You always get a good vehicle to drive and you don't have to think about the maintenance, insurance costs etc.