Van or Trailer? - Page 2

saxnbass · #21 08-01-2007, 08:29 AM

I voted (and not carrots). But to the 2 people that did, how would you fit your gear in a carrot?

slackdaddy · #22 08-01-2007, 08:34 AM

I did some touring in a large "sprinter" van which held all 6 of us, our gear and luggage with ease. Plus it drove really well.

jenderfazz · #23 08-01-2007, 08:40 AM

The only problem with a trailer of some sort, IMO, is that it's a visible target for robbers. Vans are typically a bit more subtle about their contents. Besides that, I guess trailers are more convenient if your car can pull one.

The_D · #24 08-01-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenderfazz

The only problem with a trailer of some sort, IMO, is that it's a visible target for robbers. Vans are typically a bit more subtle about their contents. Besides that, I guess trailers are more convenient if your car can pull one.

We have a storage space for the gear so the trailer would never be left loaded up overnight.

Also my car has a towbar so that is another +.

Deacon_Blues · #25 08-01-2007, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackdaddy

I did some touring in a large "sprinter" van which held all 6 of us, our gear and luggage with ease. Plus it drove really well.

Mercedes Sprinter? We used to rent one of those. Great one to drive, but expensive if you want to buy one.

slackdaddy · #26 08-01-2007, 08:46 AM

You are correct about them being expensive but they definitely do the trick! I must admit that some of us were allergic to the fabric on the seats but we would just throw a sheet over them. They also built a loft bed set up in the back.

tlwaps · #27 08-01-2007, 08:50 AM

I'd go for a van because you can always rent a trailer a lot cheaper than you could rent a van.

BassIsBoss · #28 08-01-2007, 09:24 AM

Had 'em all...station wagons, panel trucks, stepvans, vans (regular and extended), cube van (regular and duallies), trailers (big and small), buses (big and bigger)...Stick with what makes you the most money...and besides that you'll always have friends who need you to help them move on the weekends.

JC Dillon · #29 08-01-2007, 09:39 AM

We use a trailer. We keep all of our PA, lights, cables, etc in it. All of us use tube amps, so we just take our stuff with us when we go home. Our rhythm guy has a big dually diesel to pull it with. He keeps most of the tips we make to compensate for the fuel costs. Plus, he is always designated driver!

toaster2k3 · #30 08-01-2007, 01:06 PM

I voted van. It holds the gear and we can sleep in it. This saves us time and money because we don't have to pay for a motel or stop to camp. Then again, this might not work for everyone because my band consists of only two members.

eedre · #31 08-01-2007, 02:29 PM

Van. All the stories I hear about band's gear getting lynched has been from trailers.

The_D · #32 08-01-2007, 04:12 PM

Someone at work had suggested a trailer cause we were looking for a van.

Before I even brought it up at practice tonight the lead guitarist did so I threw a copy of the local ads paper to him with a few box trailers circled

Great minds think alike huh

Nothing will EVER be left overnight in the trailer(if we do go that way). Even if they want to leave stuff, my cab and head are going home with me. I already have a towbar on my car so I will just get diesel money and we can all take turns driving it.

Then again if a decent van comes along at the right price then we can adjust the plan.

We all drive except the drummer so there is no rush to buy anything but we just felt that only needing 1 driver was a good move.

Oh and we dont need anywhere to sleep as we are not likely to be going on any tours in the near future

mattq · #33 08-01-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

are you justin timberlakes bassist or something?

haha, nope. my band did the 15 passenger van for everything for a while, but got sick of having to repair it every month. we vowed never again, and took the plunge on the rv. it's c-class so we didn't have to get different licenses to drive it, it sleeps all of us fairly comfortable, and if a venue can't afford a hotel for all 4-7 of us we just roll up to an rv park for 40 bucks. way cheaper in terms of places to sleep. gas can be a pain though. 55 gallon tank, you do the math

Juniorkimbrough · #34 08-01-2007, 05:34 PM

we purchased a trailer first because of the obvious cost difference of a van vs. a trailer.

**Mickey Shane** · #35 08-01-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eedre

Van. All the stories I hear about band's gear getting lynched has been from trailers.

I would think that a van would be easier to break into because it has windows.

Trailer.

**butchblack** · #36 08-01-2007, 06:38 PM

Hi

I had a van in the 80's it could hold all 5 of us and all our equipment, though we were a blues band playing smaller venues. Noting that the poster is from Scotland, 2 questions come to mind. How much equipment do you have and how is the traffic and parking at the places you play. A van will normally be easier to drive in traffic. A trailer should be easier and cheaper to buy, and insure. If the whole band can fit into the tow car, and the car can handle the weight of all the passengers and the loaded trailer it may be way to go. If everybody takes their own cars then neither makes much sense. I do miss the bonding our band had traveling to gigs together.

The_D · #37 08-01-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butchblack

Hi

I had a van in the 80's it could hold all 5 of us and all our equipment, though we were a blues band playing smaller venues. Noting that the poster is from Scotland, 2 questions come to mind. How much equipment do you have and how is the traffic and parking at the places you play. A van will normally be easier to drive in traffic. A trailer should be easier and cheaper to buy, and insure. If the whole band can fit into the tow car, and the car can handle the weight of all the passengers and the loaded trailer it may be way to go. If everybody takes their own cars then neither makes much sense. I do miss the bonding our band had traveling to gigs together.

Well the plan now is to look for a deal on a box trailer that would fit all the gear. I learned how to reverse a trailer on a tractor years ago (long story) but became pretty good at it so I would be able to manouver it quite well.

I have a Peugot 406 2litre turbo Diesel saloon. Dont know if that means much over there though. It would pull the trailer nae bother and there is only 4 in the band so all is good

agreatheight · #38 08-01-2007, 07:08 PM

I vote trailer.

Also, to those who are afraid of getting a trailer or a vehicle stolen, I have learned to park the vehicle in.

CARTRUCKWITHTRAILERCAR

It's a good deturent. That and an alarm on the truck and the trailer and you are pretty safe.

txbasschik · #39 08-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Totally trailer, man.

We love ours! The PA and big cabs stay in there all week until it is time to go play. It is easy to load/unload, and we always know exactly where things should be placed in the trailer. We never have to move things around just because someone rides along, or we bring the harmonica player, like we would have to in a van. We can be unloaded, set up, and sound checked in 30 minutes, we have it down so well. And on Monday, our drummer can just leave the trailer in the garage when he goes to work.

Our trailer only cost us about $1,200...a regular, used, plain white trailer. Perfect!

Cherie