Moving gear in your van

Silas Pradetto

Silas Pradetto

Graduate Student
Jan 11, 2011
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Land of Steady Habits
www.concertsunlimited.com
I've decided that cargo vans are nice because they're small and can go anywhere, but because of the low ceiling height and relatively high loading height they are a nightmare to pack. They also don't ever have square walls, there are wheel wells and everything else in the way. That said, what is the best way to pack gear in a van? I need something small enough that I can lift it (so a ramp or second person aren't necessary) but yet is durable enough to stand up to some serious use. I don't really want a whole bunch of small wood trunks, they're too bulky and heavy.

I have several of these plastic bins and they seem to work great. I have a hand truck that folds down into a cart and makes it easy to move the couple I have; more shouldn't be a problem at all.

What does everyone think? Is it too 'unprofessional' to use black plastic shipping containers for cables and gear?
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Hi Silas,
Those work great for the smaller "van pack" stuff you are speaking of. I still use a few when I don't need to take the trailer or box truck. They seem to hold up pretty well but can get heavy fast as you know because of the depth. I would say the looking professional part is what you do with them after you set up. They stack nicely out of the way or sometimes can be slid under the stage.
-Eric
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Those work great. I also find that things that are tall enough to stand up and lean into the van are great, so long as you can pack them such that they don't need to be upright all the time. I often use my EWI mic stand case that way (packed either with mic stands or equipment):
http://audiopile.net/products/Cases/M_Series_Mic_Cases/MIC_STAND_CASE_SELECT.shtml

Tool cases like this work well too, since the drawers are each small enough that they can hold the right amount of stuff such as not to be jumbled like crazy when its pushed over on its side.
http://audiopile.net/products/Cases/DR002H_Toolcase/DR002H_cutsheet.shtml
 
Costco usually has a "made in USA container" that looks like those but clear for about $7 each that I use- they start to break down after a couple years but are pretty solid for the price.
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

I have been debating back and forth about getting a cargo van myself...for about the past year now.
Knowing it was becoming time for me to replace my 19-year old F150 that I have been using to haul gear around in.
And again I have talked myself out of it (we have many conversations).
My main issues with cargo vans are...
Too many windows...unless you can find one with no side windows and/or rear windows.
Too many points of entry for thieves to access your gear.
You lose valuable floor space by the side access door due to the step.
As mentioned, the shape of the side walls also screws you on actuall cargo space.

I recently measured out my friends brand new E250 cargo van against my F150 w/8'bed and high utility cargo cap.....and I easily had more available packing room in my F150.
(compared to the van with a cargo divider installed behind the front seats)
I also like the fact that there is only one point of entry into the cargo area, and you can back it up against a building leaving no access....short of stealing the whole vehicle.

So I just purchased a 2011 pickup truck and will be installing a 36" high Utility Cargo cap......very similar to my 93 that I already own, but the cap will actually be 7" taller given me even more room.
You still have to deal with the wheel well issues like in a van, but you have straighter walls and gear slides much easier on bed liners then on mats in vans.

My 93...if anyone wants a great running truck cheap let me know, it has issues but runs great and has never left me stranded in 19-years:
P1300467.jpg
 
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Re: Moving gear in your van

Get some flat low profile totes, they can work well in using what would lost space between the top of equipment and roof. Mic stand bags work well to fit that space over the wheel well and along the sides.
My stretched cargo van can hold a stupid amount of equipment with a little precise packing and I can play good game of tetris as well!
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Mike Caldwell said:
Get some flat low profile totes, they can work well in using what would lost space between the top of equipment and roof. Mic stand bags work well to fit that space over the wheel well and along the sides.
My stretched cargo van can hold a stupid amount of equipment with a little precise packing and I can play good game of tetris as well!
Click to expand...

i used to say that the most valuable skill i learned in 'the biz' was 'three dimensional truck tetris'. i wasn't kidding.
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Matt Vivlamore said:
Hey Vinny… I Love my ’06 Chevy 3500 Express Extended with the Duramax Diesel.
Click to expand...

Yes, if I went with a van the GM is certainly bigger (storage wise) then the Ford. The extended body however would not work for my needs because some of the parking spaces I need it to fit into....it just won't!
Nice van though, the pickup truck with 8' bed just works out better for me.
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Vinny D'Agostino said:
Yes, if I went with a van the GM is certainly bigger (storage wise) then the Ford. The extended body however would not work for my needs because some of the parking spaces I need it to fit into....it just won't!
Nice van though, the pickup truck with 8' bed just works out better for me.
Click to expand...

A standard van holds more than an 8' pickup bed, is 7" shorter in overall length, is more secure than a camper shell, and sits closer to the ground for easier loading. Side door access as well.

I just don't understand using pickups for sound unless you're pulling a monster trailer or just like the look of a pickup.
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

Steve Hurt said:
A standard van holds more than an 8' pickup bed, is 7" shorter in overall length, is more secure than a camper shell, and sits closer to the ground for easier loading. Side door access as well.

I just don't understand using pickups for sound unless you're pulling a monster trailer or just like the look of a pickup.
Click to expand...

My van is standard length and has 9 feet behind the divider wall. I have 3300 pounds of payload capacity, more than just about any pickup, including 1-ton trucks. And I can tow 10,000 pounds fully loaded. And I get about 18mpg loaded. :)
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

If you have your own van, you can make some modifications to make loading in easier. i.e., that step can be filled in so you can load right up to the door. Just don't open the side door with something pressed up against it!! Actually, with some cargo vans, the side door is welded shut, so you've reduced your potential entry points. Put a cage on the front, and a padlock on the back, and you've got a pretty secure solution.

For load ins, I absolutely hate plastic totes. Yes, they are cheap, but why not get some small road cases that will last you forever? The weight difference will be minimal, and road cases can stack better without randomly collapsing on you.

If you do get a van, definitely make sure you get a ramp. Lifting is bad, and the cost of a ramp is way cheaper than a visit to the chiropractor.
 
Re: Moving gear in your van

There are truck people and there are van people. I'm a van person - started with a 1962 GMC > 1989 Ford E350 long > 1992 Ford E250 long > 2003 Ford E350 long. I put a bench seat for band members and install a side window then partition it off in back of the bench seat. The van will hold 4 band members a club PA, backline, and overnight gear. For bigger stuff I have the trailer. My dream is to own one of these...

250px-Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter.JPG
 
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