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Where is the best place to look for a van. My current band is getting to the point where we are going to need a van asap. Were playing tomorrow in Brooklyn and are struggling on how we are going to get our gear out there from Jersey. I know craigslist is an obvious place but I wasnt sure if there are some more that I should take into consideration.

Police auction. Get all them raper vans. Just don't bring any blacklights in there.

But do paint a wizard on the side.

snipelfritz wrote:Police auction. Get all them raper vans. Just don't bring any blacklights in there.

But do paint a wizard on the side.

Not too far from my house there is a rapist van parked in an empty lot with a wizard on the side.
It's like...Plumbing Wizard or Wizard Washers or something.

Shit i didn't even think of the police auction. I have one not to far from me and just checked the website and there arent many vans but going to check it out in person would probably be more helpful. Wizards sound essential for it.

I have been in touring bands for years, we have almost always gotten vans either via craigslist/want ads or via a freind. The best vans have been from a freind (you know like Johnny from X bands dad is selling a van) a word of advice get triple A, we have never had to use it, but it takes some mental stress out of the sitch when you are 500 miles from home.

consider a used Suburban-sized vehicle as well...i have an '86 3/4 ton Suburban that'd fit a whole bands' worth of gear no problemo.

Really pisses me off what rapists have done to the image of vans... I like vans! Dodge Rams the most.

Churches

Yes,...but they don't hide behind sheet metal.

my old band needed a van so we leafed through a few papers for used ones for sale. We ended up with a semi-okay Ford Transit we fixed a bit and it served its purpose for three or four years.

Ask your local auto mechanics. They will find you a better deal and you'll usually end up with a van that will rack up far more miles w/o major repairs.

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.

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!"

dubkitty wrote: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

Bassus Sanguinis wrote:
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?