To haul your gear

teleman53 · February 7th, 2007, 10:20 AM

What do you guys think of a Dodge Durango? Its not the biggest but it would also be for everyday driving. Do you guys know of any other vehicles that are big enough to haul gear in but small enough to drive for everyday? Oh, and to get in these wee little parking spaces at college.

Sarge · February 7th, 2007, 10:33 AM

They're nice trucks but gas hogs.......unless you get the 6 cylinder.

NewOldStock · February 7th, 2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Do you guys know of any other vehicles that are big enough to haul gear in but small enough to drive for everyday?

Depends on the amount of gear, mostly.

Different option-
Stepping down from the SUV sizes would be vehicles like the Dodge Magnum. Ford is going to be producing wagon versions of their Mustang to compete with these. Yes, it was hard for me to believe too.

ToeCutter66 · February 7th, 2007, 10:39 AM

I have an 89 Volvo 240 wagon. We call it the "bandwagon". The down side it that since it is getting older it does require some mechanical interaction. But they are about the easiet cars to work on. 4 cylinder cast iron block w/aluminum head and over head camshaft, 5 speed manual transmission, Dana 30 rear end, macphersion struts in the front (tight turning radius). 25mpg.

Durtdog · February 7th, 2007, 10:55 AM

I guess one benefit of playing in a "mature" band is that everyone has a minivan in the family. We have more vans than equipment.

Oh, and now we have a couple of high school football players to handle the gear. I'm thinking of getting a full stack.

zombywoof · February 7th, 2007, 11:00 AM

I have a Dodge Mangum (with the Hemi). Really does hold a ton of crap. Gas mileage is pretty good in the highway considering the weight of the car and size of the engine (24 or 25 mpg). Will kill ya just running around town though.

Me, I still prefer an old VW Bus - remove the middle seat and they cannot be beat.

OrovilleTim · February 7th, 2007, 11:10 AM

My truck is only a 6 cylinder and it only gets about 15MPG.

Dodge Cummins 2500 Laramie with quad cab. The truck weighs close to 4 tons, and each cylinder is about a liter. Threw a Leer cap on it, and I can take a whole band in the front, and whatever gear (including spares) in the back. Now to just find a whole band

The wife's Honda Odyssey is more realistic though. Love the way the seat flips down into the floor, and the interior is carpeted. That still leaves 4 seats up front, and a lot of storage space in the back. Even with the truck, we use the Ody for tailgating and such.

There is always the possibility of a small utility trailer though. A heck of a lot cheaper than a new vehicle. If you're towing very light weight stuff, you can get by with adding a hitch to just about anything.

To be even cheaper, rent the smallest u-haul only when needed, but if you're in a small town, these can be "subject to availability."

teleman53 · February 7th, 2007, 11:16 AM

Well i'd like to have a 4 wheel drive because of winter where i live. I don't like small vehicles cause if you get in a wreck... or if you hit a deer for instance i hit a deer last year in my truck it just pushed the deer down and kept goin, todays cars would scoop the deer up and throw it on your windshield and then....

Stubbs · February 7th, 2007, 11:22 AM

First off, I have given up trying to be cool with my car. As a balding 37 year-old father of three, I own a mini van. It is such a practical vehicle. The milage is alot better than a SUV. With my cover band I can haul all members and equipment with the back seat out. The equipment list includes 4 guys, three guitars, one guitar amp, one bass combo, 2 PA speakers, one powered PA head, one monitor, speaker stands, 3 mic stands, a case for mics, cords, power supplys, and drummer just has a kick, snare, hihat, and one other cymbal. It all fits, and it drives like a car.
If you didn't have to haul more than 2 people you can always take out the middle seats and haul even more.

david henman · February 7th, 2007, 11:24 AM

...i pack an entire sound system (two jbl FOH speakers, one monitor, one yamaha powered mixer), a combo amp, four guitars, two milk cartons full of cables, a dozen assorted stands, gargantuan pedalboard and various other sundry items in my 2001 toyota echo sedan, and STILL have room for my girlfriend and, when we travel, both of our suitcases and a full size acoustic guitar!!!

that said, i need to upgrade to something like a honda element, toyota scion, saturn vue or...?

-dh

0le FUZZY · February 7th, 2007, 11:38 AM

...My stuff fit in my Colt jes fine!!

(deranged internet-based alter ego, with my own lexicon and all.)

Please visit my page

Dave Hopping · February 7th, 2007, 01:34 PM

'73 Cadillac S&S Victoria endloading hearse.Before I quit providing PA for my bands it would carry:2 PV SP-2s,2PV subs,3 power amps(in 2 racks) the unpowered 16 channel board,2 light boxes,3 suitcases containing cables (and 4 Hotspot monitors),6 mike stands,a 4-wheeler and a couple of milk crates PLUS my steel rig- a Mullen U-12,PV Session 500,4 space FX rack,steel seat AND my guitar rig (guitar or two,suitcase for cables/stand/pedalboard and the amp du jour).9 1/2 feet from the divider to the rear door. Good in the snow,awesome at outdoor car show gigs,bad at the gas station.

51mike · February 7th, 2007, 01:34 PM

I've been using a Honda CRV for the past 5 years. I'm looking to get something just a little bigger though becuase after getting all the stuff in the back and passinger seat, it's hard to see out of the sides or back at all. I need to lower the load.

tiktok · February 7th, 2007, 02:00 PM

I used to have a minivan with all the seats out for hauling gear, but these days I prefer a pickup with a camper top on the bed so that the cargo area is segregated from the cab. I don't have to worry about tearing up the interior, don't smell smoke off the gear (although that's pretty much a thing of the past in these parts) and it's easier to tie down stuff so that it doesn't shift, particularly during hard stops. Plus, a pickup is useful for all those pickup hauling duties.

However, if I'm just doing a sideman gig, everything fits in the back of a Civic hatchback easily.

CharlieO · February 7th, 2007, 02:20 PM

I'd vote for a Jeep Liberty. It's a reasonable size, I think, and I really liked driving the one that I rented in Minnesota last year. If you're on a budget, there should be plenty of used ones around.

http://www-5.jeep.com/en/liberty/index.html

bo · February 7th, 2007, 04:14 PM

For road trips we divide the stuff up between the singers jeep somethingorother and the drummers minivan. Otherwise my '92 Accord still does just fine for me, my stuff and a passenger or two.

maestrovert · February 7th, 2007, 05:03 PM

i'm diggin' my P.T.

Disastercaster · February 7th, 2007, 06:35 PM

My Mum has a Toyota Amazon for hauling horseboxes around but back in the day (last year..) we once fit the whole band (4 people), all the gear (PA System, 2 Amps, 3 Guitars, Drums, box 'o cables and an electric piano) and my Dad to drive it. It was the best game of Tetris we ever played.

Rick S · February 7th, 2007, 06:59 PM

I think it depends on just what you need to haul. If you need to pack up the whole band and head out of town, you really need a van AND a trailer. For just a guitar rig there are a lot of good options.

I have a Saturn LW300 wagon that is real handy for hauling up to two guitar rigs in air conditioned comfort. I also have a Ram Quad Cab and I can put my rig in the back seat area quite comfortably.

I think the Durango would be great for two band members, or one and small PA.

Tim Armstrong · February 7th, 2007, 07:04 PM

I have a funky old 1977 Toyota pickup truck with a cap that holds all of my gear AND all of my brother's gear plus the PA system with room to spare. Runs great, gets 20-25 mpg.

I call it Godzilla because it's prehistoric, green and Japanese!

Cheers, Tim

Frankie · February 7th, 2007, 07:20 PM

I use a 6 X 12 enclosed trailer.. Smartest thing I've bought in awhile.

eryque · February 7th, 2007, 07:44 PM

Subaru Outback. AWD, decent gas mileage, and plenty of cargo room. I think wagons offer a far batter value for carrying stuff than SUVs. They also handle better and are much safer.

Utility trailers are a great bang for the buck too. You don't need as much car as you think to haul them and they're relatively cheap.

Sqwerl · February 7th, 2007, 07:56 PM

I have had a 6 x 8 trailer for about 10 years now...best thing ever. Unload yer stuff, play yer gig, load yer stuff, go home. As long as you dont leave it closed up to long ( over a month ) all is well. Keep intruments in the house always. Only thing is it always smells like cigarettes in there, much like you do after a gig.

Stuco · February 7th, 2007, 08:03 PM

+1 on an old import pickup. These things (toyota, nissan hardbody, isuzu, chevy luv, vw rabbit truck) can go forever if you do regular maintainence and they get great gas mileage. Pickup a high rise camper top and a rubber floor mat and you are good to go. You could probably get all of this for under $2000 easy.

studio1087 · February 7th, 2007, 08:14 PM

We pull a 4500 pound horse trailor with a Honda Pilot. We have 68,000 miles on the Pilot and so far, we've replaced one set of tires. Other than tires the Pilot has been bulletproof.

I would find a used Jeep Cherokee Sport (an SUV that is not a total gas hog) and buy a small box trailor. You could rent a small trailor for $19.95 per night from Ryder.

Used box trailors are very affordable. I wouldn't buy a 12 mile per gallon beast unless if I were towing things for a living. Too much vehicle is crazy.

Paul in Colorado · February 8th, 2007, 01:47 AM

I have a '90 Dodge Caravan. It just got the head gasket replaced after 154,000 miles and is running like a top. Take out the back seat and I can get the PA and my gear in it. I have a 4 banger and a five speed so mileage is excellent. And it'll get over the mountain passes on I-70 West of Denver. Much better then the '66 VW bus I once had (or the '65 Chevy Van).

Dave Hopping · February 8th, 2007, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuco

+1 on an old import pickup. These things (toyota, nissan hardbody, isuzu, chevy luv, vw rabbit truck) can go forever if you do regular maintainence and they get great gas mileage. Pickup a high rise camper top and a rubber floor mat and you are good to go. You could probably get all of this for under $2000 easy.

I drove an '81 Rabbit pickup 292000 miles between '81 and '03.If they still made them I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

February 7th, 2007, 10:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
teleman53 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 321	To haul your gear What do you guys think of a Dodge Durango? Its not the biggest but it would also be for everyday driving. Do you guys know of any other vehicles that are big enough to haul gear in but small enough to drive for everyday? Oh, and to get in these wee little parking spaces at college.

February 7th, 2007, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
ToeCutter66 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sterling Virginia Posts: 114	I have an 89 Volvo 240 wagon. We call it the "bandwagon". The down side it that since it is getting older it does require some mechanical interaction. But they are about the easiet cars to work on. 4 cylinder cast iron block w/aluminum head and over head camshaft, 5 speed manual transmission, Dana 30 rear end, macphersion struts in the front (tight turning radius). 25mpg. __________________ Thanks, Kevin 06 American Telecaster, Texas Specials, 4-Way Switch Mod.

February 7th, 2007, 11:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
zombywoof Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Back in the Heartland Posts: 2,924 17 Photos	I have a Dodge Mangum (with the Hemi). Really does hold a ton of crap. Gas mileage is pretty good in the highway considering the weight of the car and size of the engine (24 or 25 mpg). Will kill ya just running around town though. Me, I still prefer an old VW Bus - remove the middle seat and they cannot be beat. __________________ "I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." John Lee Hooker

February 7th, 2007, 11:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
OrovilleTim Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Lake Oroville, CA Age: 37 Posts: 554 19 Photos	My truck is only a 6 cylinder and it only gets about 15MPG. Dodge Cummins 2500 Laramie with quad cab. The truck weighs close to 4 tons, and each cylinder is about a liter. Threw a Leer cap on it, and I can take a whole band in the front, and whatever gear (including spares) in the back. Now to just find a whole band The wife's Honda Odyssey is more realistic though. Love the way the seat flips down into the floor, and the interior is carpeted. That still leaves 4 seats up front, and a lot of storage space in the back. Even with the truck, we use the Ody for tailgating and such. There is always the possibility of a small utility trailer though. A heck of a lot cheaper than a new vehicle. If you're towing very light weight stuff, you can get by with adding a hitch to just about anything. To be even cheaper, rent the smallest u-haul only when needed, but if you're in a small town, these can be "subject to availability." __________________ Fender Special Edition Koa Tele / Fender Deluxe Series Powerhouse Strat Fender 65 Twin Reverb / Fender Blues Junior / Marshall DSL 50 & 1960AV Acoustic: Taylor K14CE / Fender Acoustasonic DSP Junior

February 7th, 2007, 11:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Stubbs Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 211	Mini van First off, I have given up trying to be cool with my car. As a balding 37 year-old father of three, I own a mini van. It is such a practical vehicle. The milage is alot better than a SUV. With my cover band I can haul all members and equipment with the back seat out. The equipment list includes 4 guys, three guitars, one guitar amp, one bass combo, 2 PA speakers, one powered PA head, one monitor, speaker stands, 3 mic stands, a case for mics, cords, power supplys, and drummer just has a kick, snare, hihat, and one other cymbal. It all fits, and it drives like a car. If you didn't have to haul more than 2 people you can always take out the middle seats and haul even more.

February 7th, 2007, 10:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	They're nice trucks but gas hogs.......unless you get the 6 cylinder.

February 7th, 2007, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Durtdog Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,679	I guess one benefit of playing in a "mature" band is that everyone has a minivan in the family. We have more vans than equipment. Oh, and now we have a couple of high school football players to handle the gear. I'm thinking of getting a full stack.

February 7th, 2007, 11:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
teleman53 Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 321	Well i'd like to have a 4 wheel drive because of winter where i live. I don't like small vehicles cause if you get in a wreck... or if you hit a deer for instance i hit a deer last year in my truck it just pushed the deer down and kept goin, todays cars would scoop the deer up and throw it on your windshield and then....

February 7th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
david henman Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: TORONTO Age: 60 Posts: 771	...i pack an entire sound system (two jbl FOH speakers, one monitor, one yamaha powered mixer), a combo amp, four guitars, two milk cartons full of cables, a dozen assorted stands, gargantuan pedalboard and various other sundry items in my 2001 toyota echo sedan, and STILL have room for my girlfriend and, when we travel, both of our suitcases and a full size acoustic guitar!!! that said, i need to upgrade to something like a honda element, toyota scion, saturn vue or...? -dh

February 7th, 2007, 11:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	...My stuff fit in my Colt jes fine!! (deranged internet-based alter ego, with my own lexicon and all.) Please visit my page

February 7th, 2007, 01:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Dave Hopping Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Aurora,Colorado Posts: 684	'73 Cadillac S&S Victoria endloading hearse.Before I quit providing PA for my bands it would carry:2 PV SP-2s,2PV subs,3 power amps(in 2 racks) the unpowered 16 channel board,2 light boxes,3 suitcases containing cables (and 4 Hotspot monitors),6 mike stands,a 4-wheeler and a couple of milk crates PLUS my steel rig- a Mullen U-12,PV Session 500,4 space FX rack,steel seat AND my guitar rig (guitar or two,suitcase for cables/stand/pedalboard and the amp du jour).9 1/2 feet from the divider to the rear door. Good in the snow,awesome at outdoor car show gigs,bad at the gas station.

February 7th, 2007, 01:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
51mike Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Webster, NY Age: 58 Posts: 631 11 Photos	I've been using a Honda CRV for the past 5 years. I'm looking to get something just a little bigger though becuase after getting all the stuff in the back and passinger seat, it's hard to see out of the sides or back at all. I need to lower the load.

February 7th, 2007, 02:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
tiktok Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 4,197	I used to have a minivan with all the seats out for hauling gear, but these days I prefer a pickup with a camper top on the bed so that the cargo area is segregated from the cab. I don't have to worry about tearing up the interior, don't smell smoke off the gear (although that's pretty much a thing of the past in these parts) and it's easier to tie down stuff so that it doesn't shift, particularly during hard stops. Plus, a pickup is useful for all those pickup hauling duties. However, if I'm just doing a sideman gig, everything fits in the back of a Civic hatchback easily. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/travishartnett http://www.myspace.com/sugarcanemutiny Pearce Amps Info Page

February 7th, 2007, 02:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
CharlieO Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Age: 56 Posts: 1,416 10 Photos	I'd vote for a Jeep Liberty. It's a reasonable size, I think, and I really liked driving the one that I rented in Minnesota last year. If you're on a budget, there should be plenty of used ones around. http://www-5.jeep.com/en/liberty/index.html

February 7th, 2007, 04:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
bo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,797	For road trips we divide the stuff up between the singers jeep somethingorother and the drummers minivan. Otherwise my '92 Accord still does just fine for me, my stuff and a passenger or two.

February 7th, 2007, 05:03 PM	#17 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,746	i'm diggin' my P.T. __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

February 7th, 2007, 06:35 PM	#18 (permalink)
Disastercaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Age: 20 Posts: 781	My Mum has a Toyota Amazon for hauling horseboxes around but back in the day (last year..) we once fit the whole band (4 people), all the gear (PA System, 2 Amps, 3 Guitars, Drums, box 'o cables and an electric piano) and my Dad to drive it. It was the best game of Tetris we ever played. __________________ Mighty Atomics, Garage Rock N Roll!!!

February 7th, 2007, 06:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
Rick S Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 494	I think it depends on just what you need to haul. If you need to pack up the whole band and head out of town, you really need a van AND a trailer. For just a guitar rig there are a lot of good options. I have a Saturn LW300 wagon that is real handy for hauling up to two guitar rigs in air conditioned comfort. I also have a Ram Quad Cab and I can put my rig in the back seat area quite comfortably. I think the Durango would be great for two band members, or one and small PA.

February 7th, 2007, 07:04 PM	#20 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 10,295	I have a funky old 1977 Toyota pickup truck with a cap that holds all of my gear AND all of my brother's gear plus the PA system with room to spare. Runs great, gets 20-25 mpg. I call it Godzilla because it's prehistoric, green and Japanese! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

February 7th, 2007, 07:20 PM	#21 (permalink)
Frankie Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Findlay, Ohio Age: 50 Posts: 543	Trailer I use a 6 X 12 enclosed trailer.. Smartest thing I've bought in awhile. __________________ Frankie Findlay, Ohio Glendale Pine Tele spanking a Blues Jr. Snatch it back and hold it..

February 7th, 2007, 07:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,245 44 Photos	Subaru Outback. AWD, decent gas mileage, and plenty of cargo room. I think wagons offer a far batter value for carrying stuff than SUVs. They also handle better and are much safer. Utility trailers are a great bang for the buck too. You don't need as much car as you think to haul them and they're relatively cheap. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

February 7th, 2007, 07:56 PM	#23 (permalink)
Sqwerl TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Charleston SC USA Posts: 99	enclosed trailer I have had a 6 x 8 trailer for about 10 years now...best thing ever. Unload yer stuff, play yer gig, load yer stuff, go home. As long as you dont leave it closed up to long ( over a month ) all is well. Keep intruments in the house always. Only thing is it always smells like cigarettes in there, much like you do after a gig. __________________ "Twang is in the ear of the beholder"

February 7th, 2007, 08:03 PM	#24 (permalink)
Stuco Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: GA Posts: 3,247	+1 on an old import pickup. These things (toyota, nissan hardbody, isuzu, chevy luv, vw rabbit truck) can go forever if you do regular maintainence and they get great gas mileage. Pickup a high rise camper top and a rubber floor mat and you are good to go. You could probably get all of this for under $2000 easy.

February 7th, 2007, 08:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 4,232 36 Photos	We pull a 4500 pound horse trailor with a Honda Pilot. We have 68,000 miles on the Pilot and so far, we've replaced one set of tires. Other than tires the Pilot has been bulletproof. I would find a used Jeep Cherokee Sport (an SUV that is not a total gas hog) and buy a small box trailor. You could rent a small trailor for $19.95 per night from Ryder. Used box trailors are very affordable. I wouldn't buy a 12 mile per gallon beast unless if I were towing things for a living. Too much vehicle is crazy. __________________ JLG Carry On

February 8th, 2007, 01:47 AM	#26 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 4,453 3 Photos	I have a '90 Dodge Caravan. It just got the head gasket replaced after 154,000 miles and is running like a top. Take out the back seat and I can get the PA and my gear in it. I have a 4 banger and a five speed so mileage is excellent. And it'll get over the mountain passes on I-70 West of Denver. Much better then the '66 VW bus I once had (or the '65 Chevy Van).