What Started as shopping for a Sub...

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DJ Joe

New DJ
Apr 30, 2007
201
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49
Pittsburgh, PA
www.smokinentertainment.com
has now turned into a vehicle/trailer debate.

First, the backstory: I've been using a custom built 12" Cerwin Vega sub to fill in my Yamaha SMIV's. In some of my larger venues, I just don't get enough bass out of it, so I began a search for an 18" passive sub (since I already have the Crown amp). Some of those subs (EV, JBL, Yamaha) all weigh in at a hefty 100+ lbs. and take up valuable space in my truck. Which led me to try several new packing configurations in my short bed Ranger (with hard cap).

What I've discovered is that when I do a full ceremony + reception + lights = no room in the truck.

So, what was supposed to be a fun new toy has blown up to a major question: do I buy a bigger vehicle (and at $4+ a gallon....) or buy a trailer?

What do you use to haul everything around?

I like the advantage of a trailer - flip the door down, roll everything in and out - but the question of where to park the darn thing at my house and the cost of putting a hitch on the Ranger (never mine what my wife will say).

Or do I break down and buy a used mini-van (I swore I never would - ah, youth).

And no, I don't want to upgrade my entire system (sorry, Bose guys) since I have two amps and two sets of the SMIV's.

Thanks!

-DJ Joe
 
My wife and I have a Chevy Suburban. We pack it from the driver's seat to the back door. We thought of getting a trailer but some venues just aren't user friendly when it comes to parking, off loading etc.
 
I can't say for sure all of your stuff will fit in a minivan because I don't know all what you have, but that's what I use. A long wheelbase minivan has quite a bit of cargo space if you take all the rear seats out. My ancient '96 Olds Silhouette gets around 19 mpg in the city. I'm looking to getting a newer one. If you don't want a big, heavy, bulky passive sub, check out the EV SB122. You need to hear it to properly evaluate it. One or two might do the trick for you if you have a crossover.
 
I use a Honda Element,

I use a Honda Passport,

I use a Chevy Blazer,

I use a GMC Savanna,

I use a Caddilac Escalade,

It all depends on the size of the system that is needed for each gig, but if you are limiting yourself to one vehicle get one that will easily take all of your gear. Although a trailer will be the cheapest way to go it will also involve a little more driving ability and parking area.
 
Don't think pulling a trailer won't eat up gas. I can get in with my trailer to most venues but there are some that I can't with a trailer.
 
My vote is for one mini van and one Yorkville LS 808 sub. Just one of those bad boys is all you need to rock the house.
 
EWWWW.. the Yorkville are loud,and cheap, and horrible sounding... If all you care about is loud, go for it... If you care about cleanliness of sound, look elsewhere..

I have 2 friends who just think they're the greatest thing since sliced bread... Both of their systems sound like dog poop!

At our DJ association meeting recently, not one of us in the group could get them to sound great...

Very unimpressed.... when the Yorkville dealer recommends a different speaker, I tend to listen....

Stay away!
 
So, what I've gotten out of this is:

You need a bigger vehicle to tow a trailer anyway
Gas will always be expensive
I like my toys

So, I've decided that a mini van is the next step. In the interim, I've decided to go with the Yamaha SV18 Sub since it will match nicely with my mains. It will ride shotgun in the Ranger.

But after reading some of the lighting posts - I want to add there as well.

Maybe I need a full sized van. I can hear my wife crying now.... :)
 
DJ Joe said:
So, what I've gotten out of this is:

You need a bigger vehicle to tow a trailer anyway
Gas will always be expensive
I like my toys

So, I've decided that a mini van is the next step. In the interim, I've decided to go with the Yamaha SV18 Sub since it will match nicely with my mains. It will ride shotgun in the Ranger.

But after reading some of the lighting posts - I want to add there as well.

Maybe I need a full sized van. I can hear my wife crying now.... :)
Click to expand...

Get yourself a Custom Van which can double as a vehicle to go on trips with your family. Remember, its a business expense. This is what I use. It has a hitch on it which I have used when doing large gigs in the past. ****ty on MPG but its paid off years ago.
 
Greets, Joe.

We use a Chevy Astro cargo van to haul the load. These folks have seen pics of our setup. 2 18" subs, pair of dual 10" 2-way tops, three SKB rack cases (and a pair of dual 15" cabs if we need them). Then there's the handtruck, stands and other assorted sundries.

Yup, the whole rig fits neatly in the Astro with room to spare if we decide to add some lighting. It's all in how ya pack it. The Astro has a 4.3 V6 that ain't bad on gas, even when fully loaded. And it's got the ass to pull it easily. :)

Back in the day I had a short bed S-10 pickup to carry the gear. Had a camper shell for it but rarely used it because I couldn't get squat in there with the shell on. I just piled the stuff on the bed and strapped a tarp over it.

I don't like trailers. They take up too much room and most loading zones don't allow sufficient space for them anyhow. They're an added expense ~ just more stuff to maintain and get inspected. They can be a real bear to maneuver when you're backing up in a crowded venue lot. If it's a gravel lot, your rear wheels may spin when you step on the gas. Yessir, I've pulled trailers a time or three. Wolfie don't care for 'em.

Just a thought here... get business equipment that you need for your shows. Never, ever buy equipment "just because" it will fit in your ride. I know some guys who did that and they weren't satisfied. If you need a bigger ride to haul it, get one. Don't cheap down on your business equipment.

Thoughts?
 
This Carvin sub takes up less than 2 x 2 x2 feet and only weighs 69 pounds, it may do the trick for you and allow you to keep the Ranger as is. No trailers for me either bro, not with these hotel load-ins...

https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=LSX1801

Only $379 plus $29 for shipping and best of all, Made in the USA! :sqbiggrin:

The next step up, their top-of-the-line actually, only weighs in at 61 pounds thanks to the neodymium woofer.
 
Thanks, Steve.

I believe the LS line is loaded with Eminence drivers. If it's the same driver that was used in the older Red Line (4 ohm) series, it'll give your show some nice bass warmth. You can get a protective cover for it too. :)
 
Steve Lynch said:
EWWWW.. the Yorkville are loud,and cheap, and horrible sounding... If all you care about is loud, go for it... If you care about cleanliness of sound, look elsewhere..

Very unimpressed.... when the Yorkville dealer recommends a different speaker, I tend to listen....

Stay away!
Click to expand...

Steve,

Have you heard a Yorkville U15p????

Or the ucs1 subs???

They sound awesome!!! I think you should listen to a Yorkie Unity system, before saying Yorkville sounds like poop. Just my two cents!

I'll be the first one to tell you that you need a good crossover for the LS 800 series subs. They need a very steep roll off @ 100hz. If not they can sound muddy. I get very good sound from my LS 808 subs. I use a driverack 260 to tune them, a bridged Peavey CS 3000 to power them and I get killer bass.
 
If it was me and all of my stuff didn't fit into a minivan I'd get a regular full sized van before I got a trailer. Trailers need a place to park them when not in use and they are hard to back up. My experience in the past with trailers was that the vehicle pulling it got VERY bad gas mileage. For me a trailer would be a last resort after my full sized van was full. I might even consider a panel truck or box truck if it didn't all fit in a full sized van. You can get a lot of advertising on the side of a panel truck or a box truck too. With those two it becomes more difficult to find a place to park them depending on where you live, but I imagine if you're doing shows big enough that you need a panel truck or a box truck, then you can probably afford an office or some place to park it if you don't have space at your house.
 
My vote is a Cargo Van either New or Used.

Once you have your Cargo Van configured the way you like it you will never go back to something else.

Used Cargo Vans can be bought for almost the same price as a new trailer. Don't forget you will have the added insurance that comes with a second vehicle. When buying used trailers they tend to hold their value pretty good.

Just some thoughts from someone that has 3 cargo Vans and had 2 trailers now I'm down to just 1 trailer.
 
Mike

Love those Chevy Cargo Vans and yours is a monster. Your avatar has Bose and you have a Cargo Van that large there must be plenty of room in that van.

DJ Joe

If you decide on a Cargo Van make sure you study the differences in the Vans, Cargo Beds on Ford Cargo Vans are higher then Chevy Cargo Vans so you have to lift and step into the van a little higher. Ford Rear doors don't open 180 degrees like a Chevy Cargo Van which is a problem if someone parks close behind you. You will notice Mike got a cargo van with side doors where I prefer sliding doors.

Just some things to think about.
 
I'll never go back from a box truck with a lift gate... (or my roll in trailer)

I ditched my van, because I don't want to ever lift things again.. I like everything racked up in rolling racks, and can't stand the multiple trips for the little stuff, or loading up a cart with bits and pieces... 2 racks and a Cart pre-packed with all my speakers, and I'm done.

I still have my back, and I intend to keep it that way.:sqwink:
 
The box or "bread truck" with a lift gate is really your best option if you require that much space. Here in DE you need a CDL endorsement to drive one. That means a DOT physical and all the paperwork.
 
I was just reading on the DOT website... I don't think that's true..

You can rent a Ryder truck without a CDL, can't you? I see rental places on google..

Most smaller box trucks are classified as a van, and do not fall into the truck category.

My title says ford econoline van. No CDL necessary.
 
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