Box Traier or Van???

[GM-Entertainments]

Hi all,

Im using my Renault Laguna at the moment, quite a bit of room in the back but im after something else...not sure if i should get a small van or just a box trailer, what do you think? If any of you do use box trailers can you suggest any goos ones...

Regards
Garry

[rob1963]

Hi all,

Im using my Renault Laguna at the moment, quite a bit of room in the back but im after something else...not sure if i should get a small van or just a box trailer, what do you think? If any of you do use box trailers can you suggest any goos ones...

Regards
Garry

My advice would be to go for a small van. I currently use a Ford Courier (Fiesta) van, and I've also had Escort vans in the past.

They are easy to use, cheap to run, and, in my opinion, less hassle than a trailer.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

and, in my opinion, less hassle than a trailer.

Because.....?

[Sam]

I would say a box trailer.
Might be useful if you have a garrage..
You can unhook it and park it up.. fully loaded for the next gig.

Only downside really is parking and reversing :)

[Excalibur]

My advice would be to go for a small van. I currently use a Ford Courier (Fiesta) van, and I've also had Escort vans in the past.

They are easy to use, cheap to run, and, in my opinion, less hassle than a trailer.

In view of Rob's advice I have weighed up the pro's and cons of all options, and after much thought I have to say..........................................

go for a huge van!;) :D :D :D :D :D

OK serious head on, trailers have much to commend them, and are cheaper in running costs, but really excel if you can put them in a secure garage on returning home, thus cutting out unloading. Vans have the edge for manouvreability in small areas, but are likely to require more unloading and loading.

[rob1963]

My advice would be to go for a small van. I currently use a Ford Courier (Fiesta) van, and I've also had Escort vans in the past.

They are easy to use, cheap to run, and, in my opinion, less hassle than a trailer.


Because.....?

Partly because I've read nightmare stories on this very forum of trailers becoming unhitched & rolling down a hill, or of the trailer door opening & gear falling out onto the road.

Also, because my van has a lot of spare room, I can put the gear in any way I like, and I also don't have to worry about buying additional gear.

The same is not true of a trailer, unless it's absolutely massive...which defeats the object of having a trailer in the first place.

Also, don't you have to mess about running leads for the lights from your car to the trailer, and how long does it take to unhitch a trailer from a car?

I also assume it would generally be easier for a thief to unhitch a trailer & tow it away (even by hand) complete with contents, rather than breaking into a van, starting it & driving it away.

[Excalibur]

Partly because I've read nightmare stories on this very forum of trailers becoming unhitched & rolling down a hill, or of the trailer door opening & gear falling out onto the road.

Also, because my van has a lot of spare room, I can put the gear in any way I like, and I also don't have to worry about buying additional gear.

The same is not true of a trailer, unless it's absolutely massive...which defeats the object of having a trailer in the first place.

Also, don't you have to mess about running leads for the lights from your car to the trailer, and how long does it take to unhitch a trailer from a car?

I also assume it would generally be easier for a thief to unhitch a trailer & tow it away (even by hand) complete with contents, rather than breaking into a van, starting it & driving it away.

First up, this isn't have a pointless dig at Rob ( that's on another thread ;) )
A good trailer will have a parking brake, so no rolling away. Padlocks tend to keep doors closed.

You can't have any spare room in a Courier, I could fit a Courier in my trailer, and that's full of gear now!

Again, a decent trailer will have internal lighting, so no leads required.

Theft, well I'm not sure there's any appreciable difference, though that's open to informed debate.

If you buy a quality trailer, I feel it will be perfectly fit for your needs.

Links:

http://www.lyntontrailers.co.uk/lyntontrailershome.html

http://www.blueline-trailers.co.uk/

I think there was also a thread on here about a company who made purpose built Disco trailers?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

And once again, an unqualified answer by someone who's never used a trailor!!

My trailor is small Rob, but I can assure you it has as much space as your van. As long as you know how to pack a vehicle, whether it be a van or trailor, you should have no problems. And if I do need to buy more gear, then I leave the stuff I don't need in the garage.

As has been mentioned, a trailor can go straight into the garage and there's no extra tax or MOT. Reversing and driving? Easy. A small amount of practise needed, that's all.

If people want to steal something, they will, no matter whether it's a van or trailor. They need saw through a lock first though if stealing a trailor.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If you buy a quality trailer, I feel it will be perfectly fit for your needs.


http://www.lyntontrailers.co.uk/lyntontrailershome.html



http://www.lyntontrailers.co.uk/Trailersloadtrekker.html

That's mine.

Having said what I've just said about them, I am sourcing a van very soon, but only because the business will be going in different directions.

[Excalibur]

http://www.lyntontrailers.co.uk/Trailersloadtrekker.html

That's mine.

Having said what I've just said about them, I am sourcing a van very soon, but only because the business will be going in different directions.

Darren, that's not a trailer, it's a suitcase with wheels!:p ;) :D

Edit: Please let's not have this thread degenerate into a " Mine's bigger than yours" ( Even though I've alreadt sent it in that direction) :D :D

[rob1963]

You can't have any spare room in a Courier, I could fit a Courier in my trailer, and that's full of gear now!

Again, a decent trailer will have internal lighting, so no leads required.



Firstly I have plenty of spare room in my Courier. My gear probably takes up less than two thirds of the available space.

Secondly, you mention internal lighting on a trailer, but what about EXTERNAL lighting?

[Sam]

Darren, that's not a trailer, it's a suitcase with wheels!:p ;) :D

Edit: Please let's not have this thread degenerate into a " Mine's bigger than yours" ( Even though I've alreadt sent it in that direction) :D :D

But mine is bigger than yours.....


With regards to driving and reversing trailers.. the slave / roadie / dad :p often drives around with one on if it is a 'extra special' gig... eg. all the gear out! and we have no problems with it...

Obviously you need to be careful if your towing anything... but things like reversing is just a question of practice. and as for parking... we have not had any trouble yet. :)

Saves having to have an extra vehicle too!!

EDIT:
On the topic of lighting a trailer... you can do what we did at the theatre last night...
The trucks internal lights had gone... so we set up two par cans in the ramp way down from stage to the lorry... worked a treat :p

[rob1963]

Obviously you need to be careful if your towing anything...

That's another good point...towing something is probably not as safe as driving a self-contained vehicle, such as a van.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Darren, that's not a trailer, it's a suitcase with wheels!:p ;) :D

Edit: Please let's not have this thread degenerate into a " Mine's bigger than yours" ( Even though I've alreadt sent it in that direction) :D :D

Just before Christmas (when I was using a small show) I had a 2K sound system, 4 moving heads, 4 scanners, an EFX500 and 2 par cans, as well as an S&H booth and various other bits and pieces in it....


Firstly I have plenty of spare room in my Courier. My gear probably takes up less than two thirds of the available space.

Secondly, you mention internal lighting on a trailer, but what about EXTERNAL lighting?

Eh? :confused:

My trailor has lights like any other vehicle.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That's another good point...towing something is probably not as safe as driving a self-contained vehicle, such as a van.

You don't half talk rubbish sometimes Rob.

If an accident is going to happen, it will happen. It makes no difference what you are driving.

I drove vans for years and had a lot more incidents in the van than towing my trailor.

Trailors are attached by a towing hitch and also a safety cable and should be locked to your vehicle. Unless there is a 80mph wind, then both a van and trailor are fairly safe.

[rob1963]

Eh? :confused:

My trailor has lights like any other vehicle.

Yes, but how are those lights powered?

Don't you have to have some form of power lead between the trailer & your car?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yes, but how are those lights powered?

Don't you have to have some form of power lead between the trailer & your car?

Yeah and?

[rob1963]

That's another good point...towing something is probably not as safe as driving a self-contained vehicle, such as a van.


You don't half talk rubbish sometimes Rob.

I was merely agreeing with the point made by Sam.

Common sense would suggest that any self-contained vehicle on it's own would be generally safer than a vehicle with something else (such as a caravan or trailer) attached to the back of it.

[Excalibur]

Firstly I have plenty of spare room in my Courier. My gear probably takes up less than two thirds of the available space.

Secondly, you mention internal lighting on a trailer, but what about EXTERNAL lighting?

If you are buying a proper one, it will already have full road legal lights fitted.


But mine is bigger than yours.....

:p

Bet it isn't. ( oops, said I wasn't going to do that :o )



That's another good point...towing something is probably not as safe as driving a self-contained vehicle, such as a van.

All depends on the loading, trailer, tow vehicle, and above all the driver!


Just before Christmas (when I was using a small show) I had a 2K sound system, 4 moving heads, 4 scanners, an EFX500 and 2 par cans, as well as an S&H booth and various other bits and pieces in it....




Small show?? Personally, I wouldn't call that small. :eek: ( Unless your large rig is the one Genesis take on tour :D :D )

[rob1963]

Yeah and?

Yeah and it's another small thing to add to the hassle of a trailer!

Having a van, it's not something I have to bother with.

[Excalibur]

Yes, but how are those lights powered?

Don't you have to have some form of power lead between the trailer & your car?

The power lead is attached to the trailer, and joined to the car with a 12N plug and socket, and a 12S if you want extras. It's pretty standard.;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

So, there is your answer.

It really depends on what you need your vehicle for.

Both van and trailor have advantages.

[Excalibur]

Despite some of the views on this thread, may I say that neither van nor trailer are the only possible solution to the problem, ie both have good and bad points. A good trailer poses no serious logistical problems, and has much to recommend it. Possibly the biggest drawback, if you do long distance work is the 50mph limit imposed. Vans have their own problems too, and on the one occasion so far when my van broke down, I took the gear behind the car, in my trailer. Not ideal, but a viable emergency option. Horses for courses, you just have to decide what you want. In my opinion, Darren's views come from someone who has experience in this field, and are quite logical.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Possibly the biggest drawback, if you do long distance work is the 50mph limit imposed.

60 on a motorway or dual carriageway.:)

[Tom]

Hi all,

Im using my Renault Laguna at the moment, quite a bit of room in the back but im after something else...not sure if i should get a small van or just a box trailer, what do you think? If any of you do use box trailers can you suggest any goos ones...

Regards
Garry

If you have never driven with a trailer then go for a van. it saves your gear getting nocked about if not held in place. plus also think of the security then siting at lights ect.


I would say a box trailer.
Might be useful if you have a garrage..
You can unhook it and park it up.. fully loaded for the next gig.

Only downside really is parking and reversing :)

If you need a hand then i could teach you. ;) (when you pass your test that is.

After having to drive a LWB transit and a trailer in central london from passing my test you have to learn on the job. And this also includes reversing.

think left is right and right is left. or if it helps just steer into the way the trailor is going and this way you can line yourself up again.

Ill give you a few pointers. ;) :D :D :D

[Excalibur]

60 on a motorway or dual carriageway.:)

If that's right, you live and learn!



If you have never driven with a trailer then go for a van. it saves your gear getting nocked about if not held in place. plus also think of the security then siting at lights ect.



If you need a hand then i could teach you. ;) (when you pass your test that is.

After having to drive a LWB transit and a trailer in central london from passing my test you have to learn on the job. And this also includes reversing.

think left is right and right is left. or if it helps just steer into the way the trailor is going and this way you can line yourself up again.

Ill give you a few pointers. ;) :D :D :D

OK Smartbottom, I could be wrong, but as you are a young person, I wonder if you are allowed to drive a combination that size? Don't you have to pass a supplementary test nowadays for a trailer bigger than a shopping trolley?:confused: :confused:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/driving/driving.htm

[PropellerHeadCase]

If an accident is going to happen, it will happen. It makes no difference what you are driving.

Can't say as I've ever seen a van jack-knife ;)


Do you guys have those trailers with the little auxiliary motors that you can use for moving the laden trailer around after detaching it from the vehicle? That seems like a viable option which may make a trailer an even better option.

[kilmeedyman]

Oh yeah, trailers have every labour-saving advantage.
In fact, some I know reckon they have actually put weight on since getting a trailer, whereas since I got a people carrier I have taken weight off.
So there are fuel-economy considerations too.

Ok, its 7am, 11 hours into a 12 hour shift, we have had 2 deaths, 1 emergency resus, 1 diabetic who tried to commit suicide by taking 500 units of insulin....... oh and a dozen 20 to 50 year olds who seem to think a slight temperature or diarrhoea and vomiting require urgent medical attention at 3am :doh:
So I'm a little tired and perhaps a little grumpy, so I'm cheering myself up....

but the slimming advantages of a people carrier vs a trailer still stands. :D

[Corabar Steve]

At the end of the day doesn't it all depend on your individual needs & how big your rig/s is/are?

[rob1963]

At the end of the day doesn't it all depend on your individual needs & how big your rig/s is/are?

I don't have a very big one.

[PropellerHeadCase]

And no personality, too, Rob?

[rob1963]

And no personality, too, Rob?

Absolutely, Al.

Not only that, but I don't know any long words, either!

:cry:

[PropellerHeadCase]

Except 'Absolutely' and 'Entertainment' :D

[rob1963]

Except 'Absolutely' and 'Entertainment' :D

:Laugh:

[Excalibur]

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/driving/driving.htm

Respect.:bowdown:



Can't say as I've ever seen a van jack-knife ;)


Do you guys have those trailers with the little auxiliary motors that you can use for moving the laden trailer around after detaching it from the vehicle? That seems like a viable option which may make a trailer an even better option.

My trailer has an auxiliary motor. It's a 2.5litre direct injection transit diesel. Like a mate of mine says, if you have to disconnect the trailer to position it, it's time to give it up as a bad job. ;)


At the end of the day doesn't it all depend on your individual needs & how big your rig/s is/are?

A sensible answer, with which at least two of us agree.


I don't have a very big one.

But how big is your rig? :p :D



And no personality, too, Rob?

Don't you dare insult Rob!:boxer2:







That's my job!:D :D :D :D :D :D

[rob1963]

Don't you dare insult Rob!:boxer2:

That's my job!:D :D :D :D :D :D

And a fine job you do!

:D :D :D

[Kernow]

A trailer with a jockey wheel can easily be unhitched and ,where access is possible, pushed right up to the door of the venue and even through the pedestrian precinct. After all you can ignore the 'No Motor Vehicles' signs ;)

[Excalibur]

A trailer with a jockey wheel can easily be unhitched and ,where access is possible, pushed right up to the door of the venue and even through the pedestrian precinct. After all you can ignore the 'No Motor Vehicles' signs ;)

If you can push my trailer, you should be on " World's Strongest Man " ;) :D

[PropellerHeadCase]

My trailer has an auxiliary motor. It's a 2.5litre direct injection transit diesel. Like a mate of mine says, if you have to disconnect the trailer to position it, it's time to give it up as a bad job. ;)

'Twas more to do with locations where access is wide enough to admit a trailer but not said 2.5L Diesel.

Oh, and macho posturing aside, there are some so-called "car parks" whose configurations simply don't allow even highly skilled trailer manoeuvring.

[CRAZY K]

If you can push my trailer, you should be on " World's Strongest Man " ;) :D

Well if you took Robs van out of it :D :D :D

My main problem is speed--I travel long distances on Motorways and doing 60mph and no use of fast lane getting clogged up with all those foreign lorries--:eek:

I would never get home at night.

If you only do local jobs --fine.

Anyway I solved the problem--bought the biggest roof box going-brilliant:D

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

'Twas more to do with locations where access is wide enough to admit a trailer but not said 2.5L Diesel.

Oh, and macho posturing aside, there are some so-called "car parks" whose configurations simply don't allow even highly skilled trailer manoeuvring.

Agreed, but since the difference in width between my van and my trailer is less than three inches, if one fits, then the other does also usually.


I'll let you know when I'm going for the macho posturing, Alan.:D I have ended up in car parks where I realised it had not been a wise move!;) :eek: There are places where the van is simply the only option for me.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I was referring more to your mate's comment, Peter.

[Excalibur]

I was referring more to your mate's comment, Peter.

What do you mean? I have no mates!:( :( :(

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What do you mean? I have no mates!:( :( :(

I'll be your friend. :Kiss 3: :sofa:

[bank]

I would say, that probably a trailer would be your best bet, although make sure everything is secure, you don't want anything dropping out ;) Also, think about it, its cheaper to get hold of, you don't need another vehicle, no extra insurance, tax, mot etc.

[Corabar Steve]

As long as there's a tow bar on your car :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

As long as there's a tow bar on your car :sj:

Or bike. ;)

[Corabar Steve]

Is that video still on here?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Is that video still on here?

Probably not.

[Jiggles]

Just make sure you do not over load the trailer or this could happen :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOegMivKXUA Well it a caravan but you get the idea :D

[rob1963]

Just make sure you do not over load the trailer or this could happen :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOegMivKXUA Well it a caravan but you get the idea :D

I NEVER overload my van.....


















.....not until I get in the driver's seat!

:cry:

[Corabar Steve]

A box of eggs would overload your van!

[Jaggiebunnett]

I would say a box trailer.
Might be useful if you have a garrage..
You can unhook it and park it up.. fully loaded for the next gig.

Only downside really is parking and reversing :)

You will need shocks on your trailer too as they tend to bounce around a bit without them and rattle your gear. Also use radial tyres inflated to say 25psi to soften the bumps too.:)

[dave stanson]

hi garry
definately go for a van. trailers are so easy for thieves to break into or hook upto.also ( only my honest opinion ) always unload your gear into the good old house, normal room temp always best for your gear. hope this helps

[Andy Westcott]

Using a box trailer is by far the cheapest option, with the only real expense being the purchase of the trailer, and the additional class1 business insurance premium which you would be paying anyhow I s'poze...

I use a trailer and do find it a little tricky in some places, especially if it has to be parked in marked spaces. And all that hitching and unhitching in the dark, hindered by the liberal coating of urine or vomit which is occasionally to be discovered on the linkage.

I would much prefer a van, but it takes such a whack of your earnings just to have one on the road. :(