People in bands with vans

[Humandrivein]

Thanks everyone Im at work checking craiglist and stole my bosses newspapers. Hopefully well get something soon, trying to borrow gear from bands were playing with is becoming a pain.

[dubkitty]

two things to consider about "vans" versus other truck-type configurations:

1. vans, especially older ones, usually have the engine at least partially sitting in the drivers' compartment with a not-too-effective insulative cover over it. which is to say that unless your Rock Van has air-conditioning it's going to get hotter than hell in there in the summertime.

2. because of their brick-like configuration, vans tend to get lower gas mileage and handle poorly in bad weather conditions, particularly windy weather, than other types of vehicles.

just thoughts. as i said above i really like old Suburbans, but that may be influenced by the fact that i have one LOL. but that form of enclosed-back panel truck--particularly the business type without side windows--has a lot going for it as a band vehicle. it's also a bit less "HI THERE, I'M A BAND VAN, STEAL ME!"

[Bassus Sanguinis]

two things to consider about "vans" versus other truck-type configurations:

1. vans, especially older ones, usually have the engine at least partially sitting in the drivers' compartment with a not-too-effective insulative cover over it. which is to say that unless your Rock Van has air-conditioning it's going to get hotter than hell in there in the summertime.

2. because of their brick-like configuration, vans tend to get lower gas mileage and handle poorly in bad weather conditions, particularly windy weather, than other types of vehicles.

just thoughts. as i said above i really like old Suburbans, but that may be influenced by the fact that i have one LOL. but that form of enclosed-back panel truck--particularly the business type without side windows--has a lot going for it as a band vehicle. it's also a bit less "HI THERE, I'M A BAND VAN, STEAL ME!"

1. True, it can get hot, so always remember to mind the motor temperature - at least, nowadays it's not that bad to be stuck in middle of nowhere when You have cell phones. The situation was all different twenty years ago. But You still want to avoid both motor overheating and band members dehydrating for being daft enough to wear a hoodie during the drive.

2. True. So do some background calculations on the gass prices and consider getting one with a diesel motor. Way cheaper miles ahead and earns back the investment if You drive active enough for a few years.

Never ever have Your bands name painted in the van side doors. It would be cool, yeah, but it would get You gear stolen at some point for sure. Offer a local florist or baker or somebody to have his business logo painted in there instead, and charge a little to help with the annual maintenance.

Also always have curtains on windows. Always have them on so they are not by accident off, showing the gear in. Or even better if You can get light iron bars behind the curtains. Can be done easily and cheap with just about any car mechanics tools.

You can also consider always having a guy sleep in the van, armed with a mace and a fucking tire iron, and conviction to use it. But I don't know if it will lead to a bloody trouble in countries with little or none fire arm regulations. I've once

[warwick.hoy]

You can also consider always having a guy sleep in the van, armed with a mace and a fucking tire iron, and conviction to use it. But I don't know if it will lead to a bloody trouble in countries with little or none fire arm regulations. I've once

I have seen on more than one occasion,...at least one bandmate crash in the van for that reason.

I've also seen a band that had a custom cage; with an industrial cylinder lock that inserted into the door of the cage, welded into the back compartment of their van (which they bought off a church).

Good for two reasons. Keeps the gear secure and also keeps amps and cabs from flying around the passenger compartment in the event of a crash. Might not save the gear,...but could save your life.

One question about vans though. If an entity like a band buys a van,...how do you go about setting up who is responsible for registration, insurance, storage? Not so much who pays for it,...but who's name it goes under?

[rfurtkamp]

So do some background calculations on the gass prices and consider getting one with a diesel motor.

In the US, not nearly as many diesels out there, and finding fuel, especially at 3 am while looking for Bob's Country Bunker, can be a challenge- diesel isn't everywhere.

As far as who to put the registration, insurance, etc. in, figure out which of you has been busted less for stupid traffic stuff, is older, etc. and go from there. Also check for package deals on multiple vehicles from the band's individual insurance agents - someone might have an agent who cuts better bulk deals on a second or third vehicle.

You can incorporate/LLC it up if you want for the ownership but that's a whole nother can of worms.

Also, avoid vans with existing business info on them used if you can help it. "Joe's Plumbing" will be just as tempting for a methhead to break into to steal tools from as an open "Marshall Stack Emporium" sign-displaying van.

[dubkitty]

you may be able to find a van or other truck that's been used as a delivery or business vehicle that has a partition--either a metal frame with or without mesh panels or an actual wall--between the driver's seat/compartment and the load area. this will limit the ability to accomodate band members; on the other hand, it'll also keep your hardshell guitar cases from giving you the Ronnie Van Zandt if you're forced into a sudden stop. this can sometimes also offer some of the cage-in-van security w.h mentions above, if the partition is securable/lockable.

[dubkitty]

seriously, that's how Ronnie died. some of the equipment was stowed in storage compartments at the rear of the plane in a clever bit of design work. a piece of equipment, probably a guitar in a hard case or an amp, got loose and came through the cabin, hit Ronnie in the head, and he died of massive head injuries. probably never knew what hit him.

[Bassus Sanguinis]

Yeah. Lockable wheels on the cabs, and placing stuff so it stays in there on top don't help shit when Your gear starts moving in a tight curve or an emergency break, making any minor car accident possibly fatal. Be safe instead.

Pack neatly, with a thought, all Your gear. If possible, do it the same way every night. Funny how it helps.

If anybody travels in the same space as the gear, secure everything. I bet You do, right, since it's a van. Use proper 2-3inch cargo straps (aka load straps) with heavy gear, and attach to sturdy D-links bolted to the car structure when possible. If not, there's probably railings with loop holes for that. Place big units so they surround the others or have big plywood plates working as walls to keep in check the stuff that comes in many shapes and sizes. Run the cargo straps through the handle bars of cabs or , and make them sit tight in place. Even a toolbox and a spare tire should be closed in a convenient compartment or secured in place somehow, in case of emergency break and stuff.

Avoid putting all that loose small-ish stuff that comes last on top of all the big cabs and cases. Cables and stuff. The drum stool leg that fell off, the extra guitar stands.And that plastic bag with the stock boxes of batteries and the broken pedal that You almost forgot in the backstage after the show. They should ALL be in a proper case. AT LEAST try placing the cabs so that there's a convenient vertical gap in the middle that the cymbal stands and stuff fits neatly, rolled inside a carpet. But it's best to buy or build a gear box or two for that.

Practice, especially if You have a truck load of shit, if the car is new to You or the gear changes or the load is not full, or You'll be doing it in a hurry - practice the packing first. Or at least do the packing the night before: that way You have time to try fixing anything that needs to be fixed in the morning and if You're on tour, it's a good practice so You can do it the same way every night in a hurry.

And a golden hint: buy a broom cut/break the pole in half so it's handy size, and keep the cargo compartment tidy. The reason is psychological: smart people avoid starting shitty packing and messing it all up in a tidy car. It's proven to work.
(thanks goes to the Iron Maiden crew truckers for telling me this, and Rammstein crew pyro tech trucker for showing why. )


That's how I've been taught to load trucks, busses, and vans. Not that it all applies everytime, not that I'd have done terrific work always, not that I never broke the rules. But at least nothing ever got broken and nobody ever got injured because of my crappy load in. Not that I know.

[hbombgraphics]

I will totally sell you my van!

1995 Chevy G250 conversion Van!

You know you want it!

[dubkitty]

i'm just going to emphasize one more time, because it's such a common and easy vehicle-loading error: don't load guitars horizontally on top of other equipment at the apex of the load where they might move around. one guitar or bass in a hardshell case can weigh anywhere from twenty-five to forty pounds, more if you're using flight cases; the inertia involved if even one of those things becomes airborne as the result of a 40MPH collision would be enough for a case at the heavy end of that spectrum to go straight through your headrest and propel your head out the windshield and onto the hood of the car, where it might or might not be accompanied by the rest of your body. that's gonna impair your ability to make the gig.