Driving with a tube amp in the trunk

[Magnawolf]

Is it safe? Do you think the tubes or anything else should break? I'm talking no ATA case or anything like that.

 

[hotrodder]

I do it all the time, done it for 40 years - no problems...

 

[BobbyZ]

When I was a kid we hauled our stuff in a 1964 IH Travelall.
It was a 3/4 ton 4x4 I can't thing of many things that would ride rougher than that.

 

[muchxs]

Is it safe? Do you think the tubes or anything else should break? I'm talking no ATA case or anything like that.

I used to drive through the Holland Tunnel with welding cylinders in the trunk.

If FedEx couldn't break the amp they shipped up and down the east coast like seven times last week you're probably not going to hurt your amp.

When I was a kid we hauled our stuff in a 1964 IH Travelall.
It was a 3/4 ton 4x4 I can't thing of many things that would ride rougher than that.

OMG! An InterCrashable Rattle-All! The 3/4 ton version no less.

I'd be more worried about my kidneys than my amp.


Seriously, back in the day every band had a van. Amps rode in the van. No one heard of road cases back then.

That's why vintage amps that have been on the road look like they've been on the road.

Just wrap it in a blanket. It ain't a road case but your trunk ain't an amp rattlin' around loose in the back of avan.

 

[jeb stuart]

(link removed)

this may help

 

[Magnawolf]

(link removed)

this may help

Ha, I was just going to ask if it's better to have it face down. Thanks man.

 

[FenderGuy53]

Probably be better off in the back seat. At least it would have some cushioning up front. Things get jostled around pretty good in the trunk.

I'll take an amp in my vehicle, but it sits up front, with me. And it's only in the truck long enough to get to the gig and back home again.

I don't think I'd make a habit out of riding around with a tube amp in my trunk. Just my own personal opinion. YMMV.

 

[muchxs]

Probably be better off in the back seat. At least it would have some cushioning up front. Things get jostled around pretty good in the trunk.

Back seat: Make sure it wears a seat belt. I'm not kidding! Just think about gettin' whacked with a guitar amp if you hit something.

Run the shoulder belt through the amp handle. Fender style plastic strap handles are metal inside, they're crashworthy.

If you can't secure it properly it needs to ride in the trunk.

This from a guy who used to carry welding cylinders through the tunnels.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

I've done it for years without much problem beyond the (now) regret for the scratches and wear on the tolex of what used to be new blackface amps when I bought them.

One (EASY) thing I've done for some years now is toss a piece of that 3" wedge acoustical foam (like Auralex) back there. It protects from the bumps a little and stops the trunk rash. Easy compromise, IMO.

CBG

 

[uriah1]

That is where the term
"shake rattle and roll" came from...
lol

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

Oh, yeah and MuchXS is TOTALLY right about the seat belt thing. That's why my amps started riding in the trunk in the first place.

I got whopped in the head by a bassman 2x15 cabinet riding sideways in the back seat of a 64 Cadillac. It came flopping over onto the back of my head with a rather earth shattering kaboom. This was due to a sudden unanticipated stop...just like muchxs is pointing out.

Now I do guitars in the back seat and amps in the trunk.

Cheers,

CBG

 

[muchxs]

Oh, yeah and MuchXS is TOTALLY right about the seat belt thing. That's why my amps started riding in the trunk in the first place.

I got whopped in the head by a bassman 2x15 cabinet riding sideways in the back seat of a 64 Cadillac. It came flopping over onto the back of my head with a rather earth shattering kaboom. This was due to a sudden unanticipated stop...just like muchxs is pointing out.

Makes me wonder who or what was in the trunk. Jimmy Hoffa, perhaps?

My entire Toyota fits in the trunk of a '64 Cadillac.

 

[printer2]

Makes me wonder who or what was in the trunk. Jimmy Hoffa, perhaps?

My entire Toyota fits in the trunk of a '64 Cadillac.

The rest of the band?



Way too many years ago so I can not remember which car or what equipment but I do remember having a cab in the back seat and it hitting me in the back of the head when I had to brake hard for some jerk. Buddies loaded up their equipment in the 80's in a van my brother bought for the purpose, had a unicorn painted on the side, hey got it cheap. Stiff suspension on the thing and they did much of their gigs over three provinces. No problem with the amps from the ride.

 

[musicmatty]

Good question...For me, I've installed 'hitching rings' on both sides of all my amps so I can use tie down straps for holding in place securely with a thick blanket for padding underneath for shock absorbing. I have an Suv with tie down rings mounted in to the flooring of the very back of the truck...very helpful with transporting amps. I would suggest the back seat as well with some method of tie down for any decent size amp.

 

[Ricky D.]

'63 Chevy Belair. Tremolux head and cab, Gretsch Tennesean in a hard case, and a Farfisa combo Deluxe organ in the trunk. Vox Essex on the back seat. Wayne the keyboard player, a six-pack of National Boh, and a bucket of KFC up front.

We found this configuration would travel distance in comfort and (what we considered to be) safety. I miss the 60's. Can't believe now we did that then.

After many years in the moving business, I can tell you that hard surfaces in contact will scuff and scratch. Breakage come from shifting cargo. Block it or tie it down to keep it from banging around, and you should be fine.

Safety-wise, that was good advice about securing things in the back seat. Emergencies happen, and stuff flying out of the back seat can mess you up.

 

[muchxs]

"Back in the day" a buddy of mine bought a brand new Twin with JBLs up at Catello's way off in the boonies. Amp tipped over in the van on the way back, tore the baffle loose with one hit.

brand new Twin

Many old Fender have a bent chassis around the PT. You don't get that from sittin' in a closet.

 

[alnicopu]

I went to see a friend of my play. Blues guy from way back. His claim to fame is the lead guitar on Bob Seagers "Old Time Rock and Roll". Forrest McDonald. He had this Johnson amp he had just got back from the shop. Well, he plugged in, and nothing. He got pissed, pushed the amp out into the hallway, went back to his house and go one of his old tube combos. Turns out he put it in the back of his truck (covered with a topper) laying down on its back, and one of the tubes fell out and several others were loose in their sockets. I had it fixxed before he got back. He was playing with E.G. Kight that night as her "featured guitarist". She and the band had to play a few while he was gone.

Like Muchxs said, put it in the seat with a seatbelt through it in the playing position. I put mine in the back seat, then recline the passenger seat back to hold it into place. Instant padding and no movement.

 

[WireLine]

It really takes about 45 seconds to wrap even a Twin up in a heavy blanket. If you want you could even tuck the extra into the back to pad the tubes (gently) (wait til they have cooled!!!)

Other than shlepping an amp up and over the lip of a trunk, I'd be more concerned with the orientation of the speakers and the screwbolts to be honest. If you are really concerned, you could build a padded box to store the tubes separately for transport I suppose.

 

[Dave_O]

My entire Toyota fits in the trunk of a '64 Cadillac.

Win

 

[Scotty 2]

I got the casters (wheels) on my DRRI alright,but can't figger out how to attach
the trailor hitch to it???