Karaoke Forums

My Mini Van just decided to Die on me and know I either have to get it fixed (which will be about $2000 and has 200,000 miles on it) or purchase another vehicle. After talking to my account he felt it would be better to purchase new vehicle. So, now I need to find a Van I like and hopefully purchase in the next two days. Have been looking at a cargo van that would hold all my equipment. What do you use to transport equipment? Was looking at a trailer but at this point it would be cheaper to purchase something like a Chevy Express Cargo Van that everything could be loaded into. Thanks

First your accountant is probably right. The purchase price of a new van (or the payments if you finance it) are tax deductible whereas if you claim mileage on your current van, any repair costs are not deductible.

I use our Toyota Sienna to lug all my equipment. It does the job fine. I know others that have chevy cargo vans, you can usually find used ones for little more that what you've said it would take to fix your current van.

Trailers are nice but can also be a pain in the butt. You need more room to park at the gigs and I don't know about you but many of my gigs don't have a good place for me to park a vehicle and trailer. Plus you'd still have to get your van fixed or get another vehicle to pull it. Plus you have to pay additional registration, insurance and maintenance costs for a trailer on top of what you pay for your vehicle.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I have a Ford Windstar SE (extended length) and evrything goes in easy. An extended length mini van will also give better gas mileage than a cargo van.

Or you could lease and deduct everything as an operating expense...IF the mileage wont kill you at the end.

I went the cargo van route, buying a used Chevy Express for about $2800. I added a battery and some new tires. I like it a lot. I can hang hooks and shelves on the side to hold things.

The best thing about having a separate vehicle is that I don't have to load and unload every time. I just leave the equipment in the van.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I just HAD to throw my 2 cents in here....

I only book gigs at venues that have a house PA suitable for running a live band.
I leave a set of books at each location in a milk crate, and leave "dongles" (cabling) in place where I can quickly attach my setup before my show.
The rest of my stuff I transport to and from the gig in one of these crates with wheels:
http://www.staples.com/Staples-Expandin ... plesSearch
I get that to and from my gigs on the Valley Metro buses and light rail!
It seems pretty insane to most, but unlike many of my singers and other area KJs, I've never gotten a DUI! I also never have to worry about parking, which is actually expensive and/or hard to find in Old Town Scottsdale and Downtown Tempe.

It does help that I live and work in an area that is saturated with good public transportation, and 18 years of cab-driving has left me with the contacts needed to get a bargain taxi in a hurry if needed.

This is the main reason why it is so crucial for me to be able to format-shift and run from a harddrive; I have no way to transport my discs!

(and also why I laugh at posters who say to have my physical discs available for inspection in my car... WHAT CAR?!?!?)

That must make your job a lot easier! I haul a 6x12 trailer and it takes me about 20 minutes just to unload it. That's before I even hook anything up!

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Another advantage with the mini van is that doors on both sides open as well as the back hatch.

We use a Chev Cargo van and bought a ramp so everything is remped in and out. What I love to have is one of those Dodge/Mercedes Spirits so no bending but they're too expensive at this time. But again a ramp will be an excellent investment.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

I didn't mention, but I too have a ramp. With my rolling rack, setup is pretty easy.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Found a 2008 Chevy Cargo Van with less than 30000 miles for $12000. Its perfect for the equipment I need to transport and I can detail it with company logo. It was a pain when doing medium to large gigs getting all the equipment in my mini van. For our larger shows we would take two mini vans. But the biggest relief is not worry if the vehicle will make it home this time.

I also use a full size work van. I keep tools and back up gear on board so I can handle any problem that may arise. I used a trailer before and now its just for back up in case the van goes down.

Mojo

I have a Toyota Highlander. It works just fine for all my weekday bar gigs. I have a Hallmark trailer I use for all larger events.

After nearly three years, I finally got my 1991 Honda CRX Si back on the road!!!

Since I've made such effort to make sure my gigs are set up so that I don't need anything beyond a public bus to get there, my car's small size is no problem. It should open a lot of doors for me though!

a 5X8 covered Haulmark Cargo Trailer with a ramp. My helper can actually stand up in it. It has lights in it as well. I wheel the stuff out, she stacks..done.

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Sweet Little Me In Karaokeland........

I use a 5x8 covered Trailer, too. Has a ramp door, too. I never had a problem at any venue to park and unload. Maybe I'm just lucky?

I haul mine with a Hyundai Accent. I know it's a small car but everything fits in it.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Right now I use my Dodge Grand Caravan. I took out all 4 back seats and everything fits fine, even though I have to load it in a specific manner. However, the van is taking a huge beating from my big rack having to slide in and out over the bumper. Soon, I will be buying a 6x10 trailer (tax time, whoohoo) with a ramp and inside lighting. I'm a tall person, so I need one that has a door that is at least 6'-3" high. Don't wanna smack my head loading and unloading. I can see the issues with parking might come into play. Just gonna have to deal with them at that time. I already own a Toyota Tundra that will be able to pull it with ease, and it gets decent fuel mileage already. So hopefully I will be golden then.

Based on my experience with band trailers and such, yes you have been lucky. I've worked many venues where vehicles with trailers have cannot park in the lot and either end parking on the street or in another business' lot down the road.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Honda CRV 08

FOH - EV SX300s x 2
Sub - JBL JRX118SP x 1
Guitars x 2
Laptop x 2
Cables, Stands, Accessories, etc.

Front passenger seat empty so I can stretch my legs and scratch

Cheers all!

Vic in Sydney