Trailers

[BrightLights]

Having just sold my van I'm thinking about getting a trailer to give me a bit more carrying capacity for the bigger gigs. Just looking for any tips from those that use them like which ones to look at, where to buy, are they a pain to park during a gig... anything else?

[Sam]

I use one sometimes.. depending on how much gear I want to take.. (and how well I packed the car!!)..
We use something similar to.. http://washford.scene7.com/is/image/Washford/400-571539?$prod$
Which has a cover than goes on top..
The main rule I have is nothing electrical goes in it.. due to all the bouncing etc.. and i always pad it out with various things like old rugs.. just so whatever is in there doesn't get scratched to bits.

Having said that if everything was flight cased (something i'm slowly getting around to doing) i expect it would be fine.

Dave.. a good front of mine.. who runs a sound company.. takes this bad boy of a sound desk (see below) around on his trailer.. fully flight cased.. as hasn't had any problems. although as you may be able to tell.. his trailer his ever so slightly bigger....
http://www.justcanals.co.uk/n618915111_1211652_7938.jpeg

Parking wise.. with ours it's pretty easy... especially as you can tip it on to its 'ass' and have it standing upright.. taking up hardly any space at all..

But where poss i only take a car :-)

[Penfold42]

Nice hat..........:p :p :p

[funkymike]

I fancied a trailer with a car rather than tax and insuring another van, but I cant reverse the dam things, feel a proper wally unhitching it and walking it round the right way in front of a load of pee taking drunks


mike

[BrightLights]

Parking wise.. with ours it's pretty easy... especially as you can tip it on to its 'ass' and have it standing upright.. taking up hardly any space at all..

Someone told me about those ones. Apparently some have little wheels (castors?) on the end so you can tip it up and maneuver it into a garage - sounds very useful. I like the idea of a proper hard cover on it too.

Thanks for the info.

Steve

[BrightLights]

I fancied a trailer with a car rather than tax and insuring another van, but I cant reverse the dam things, feel a proper wally unhitching it and walking it round the right way in front of a load of pee taking drunks

That's a good point - I think I'd have to do a bit of practicing in a quiet car park somewhere first!

[Sam]

Nice hat..........:p :p :p

that isn't me..:p that's George who sometimes helps Dave the Soundman out :)

I am normally directly above him.. on the followspot perch.


'basic' reversing is ok with trailers.. but in some situations you can't expect to get away without unhitching it.

[BrightLights]

I seem to end up parked in some fairly cramped car parks where unhitching it would be the only option anyway, unless you don't mind blocking people in!

[Penfold42]

but I cant reverse the dam things, feel a proper wally unhitching it and walking it round the right way in front of a load of pee taking drunks


That's a good point - I think I'd have to do a bit of practicing in a quiet car park somewhere first!


'basic' reversing is ok with trailers.. but in some situations you can't expect to get away without unhitching it.

Amateurs......try it with an artic...........and 32 ton.........................:D :D :D :D

[Sam]

Amateurs......try it with an artic...........and 32 ton.........................:D :D :D :D

i do often try and convince the touring guys who come to the theatre to let me drive one of their trucks... they have all said no so far.
BUT i always get to play with their hydrualic ramp on the back :p

[Thames Valley Discos]

Having just sold my van I'm thinking about getting a trailer to give me a bit more carrying capacity for the bigger gigs. Just looking for any tips from those that use them like which ones to look at, where to buy, are they a pain to park during a gig... anything else?
Get a 4 wheel box/van trailer, roller door. Can't go wrong. I for Williams is the dogs doos
http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/boxvan.htm

[BrightLights]

Get a 4 wheel box/van trailer, roller door. Can't go wrong. I for Williams is the dogs doos
http://www.iwt.co.uk/products/boxvan.htm

Storage could be an issue with something that big, although I might be able to make room. They do look good - like a van without the van!

[Larry B Entertainment]

That's a good point - I think I'd have to do a bit of practicing in a quiet car park somewhere first!

Its surprising how many people do struggle to reverse them. It takes a bit of getting used to that you turn the wheel one way and the trailer goes the other :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

http://www.lyntontrailers.co.uk/Trailersloadtrekker.html is what I have.

Easy to tow and reverse once you get the hang of it (I've been using trailers for 20 years now, so have got fairly efficient!) and great at the end of the night when you just reverse it into the garage.

Downsides? Parking, especially in London, moving in tight spaces and 60mph speed limit on motorways. Security - always lock your trailer onto your car and use an alarm if leaving it outside anywhere. Also, bending to get stuff inside can be a pain (literally)

If the gear is packed and loaded properly and cased, then you shouldn't get a problem.

Having said all that, I might be looking for a van soon, as I need to free up room for more 'stock' for projects next year.

Watch this space!

[Penfold42]

That's a hot box Daz........:)

[Corabar Steve]

It is a bit dinky. :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

It is a bit dinky. :sj:

It may be, but I can still get my show in it.

You still use a moped to get your show about Steve? :tongue2: :boxer2:

[Corabar Steve]

No, I can get it all in my "little" van :sj:

Well actually I can get 2 rigs in my van http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

I've never owned a moped. Never owned anything below 750cc, where did you get moped from?

I'm thinking about fitting a tow bar to my trike maybe.

[Dragonfly]

No, I can get it all in my "little" van :sj:

Well actually I can get 2 rigs in my van http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

is that 2 ultimax microminiteenytinythumbelinamax rigs??? and does it include physical insertion of metal poles? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm thinking about fitting a tow bar to my trike maybe.

You got a licence yet then? :sj:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well actually I can get 2 rigs in my van http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)



Yeah, I've seen the size of your shows...:p

[Corabar Steve]

is that 2 ultimax microminiteenytinythumbelinamax rigs??? and does it include physical insertion of metal poles? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1:Usually the gurt biggun (6ft) but depends on the gig, we've only got one of the weenymax


You got a licence yet then? :sj:
For what?

Yeah, I've seen the size of your shows...:p
Depends on the gig.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

For your trike...

Oh no, that 's right you can drive them with a car licence.

So you're not really a biker then...:sj:

[Corabar Steve]

Neither are those who ride sports bikes, but it never stops them calling themselves "bikers"

I prefer the term triker anyway, not as much stigma attached to it.

[Penfold42]

My lads got a trike.........is that the same......:zip:

[Dragonfly]

My lads got a trike.........is that the same......:zip:

using text talk ...... and ridiculing admin ............sin bin sin bin.

actually a good thread this as im considering going back to using a trailer next year and could use a good source of 6ft x 4ft box trailer to consider on a tight budget,

[Corabar Steve]

Speak to Darren when he gets his van.

[Thames Valley Discos]

[url]

Having said all that, I might be looking for a van soon, as I need to free up room for more 'stock' for projects next year.

Watch this space!
You need what i have, a 50ft x 14 ft workshop, no storage problems here. Happy to rent a bit:D

[DJ James Lake]

The smaller the trailer the harder is is to reverse with. I would also stick well away from the trailer in post 2. Try loading it when its chucking it down with rain. You'd be better with a proper van type trailer, or hire one if outright cost is a problem. You can pick up a decent 4 wheel van trailer for about £1000 worth every penny.

[BrightLights]

I would also stick well away from the trailer in post 2. Try loading it when its chucking it down with rain.

Actually I'm only thinking of putting a couple of the more bulky items in there so I'd only need to access it once or twice during loading/unloading and I'm therefore not too concerned. I do take your point though.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Speak to Darren when he gets his van.

If I get a van - still thinking about it....

Anyway, Dave said he's on a budget. :D

[Corabar Steve]

That little thing can't cost that much. It's not as if it's an Ifor Williams like ours http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-16019.gif (http://planetsmilies.net) http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That little thing can't cost that much. It's not as if it's an Ifor Williams like ours http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-16019.gif (http://planetsmilies.net) http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

Yawn...

Yours hasn't even been used has it?

It looks nice though Steve. :sj:

[Corabar Steve]

It's used all the time, just not moved much (no need, big enough vehicles)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That's useful then, having a trailer that doesn't move. :sj:

[Corabar Steve]

Where did I say it didn't move? It will move, just not moved very often.http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Where did I say it didn't move? It will move, just not moved very often.http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)

I know it doesn't move 'cos you told me you haven't used it for a year or so last time I was at your house. :rolleyes:

[Corabar Steve]

Ah! but it has been moved within that time, ergo it moves http://planetsmilies.net/vicious-smiley-1763.gif (http://planetsmilies.net)