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<blockquote data-quote="Stuart HÃ¸gg" data-source="post: 19158" data-attributes="member: 148">Re: American Stage-MobileI have done shows on fabric-sided trailer stages and also own and operate a solid stage. The big disadvantage of fabric sides is that they generally feel less solid and flap around in the wind. It is possible to get mesh fabric, which in theory keeps rain out and lets wind through. This reduces the wind resistance but it means that there is very little shelter on stage, so you definitely want windscreens on all the mics, plus is can be pretty uncomfortable for the performers too. The big advantage with mesh sides is that you can have a roof which winches up. This gives you more operational height whilst keeping the size down when towing. It also means (with some models) that you can hang lighting and drapes etc. at ground level and then winch it up into place. A solid stage is generally nicer to work on, but with limited headroom. One important thing to check out is whether any stage will meet the requirements of whichever local authorities have jurisdiction over you. Our stage had to be tested to 5kN per square metre, i.e. 500kg of static weight. According to the council inspector who oversaw the testing, another local company had purchased a fabric-sided trailer pretty similar to the model that Dick links to. It fell pretty far short of the required capacity, and required some quite expensive strengthening work before it was passed for use.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Stuart HÃ¸gg, post: 19158, member: 148"] Re: American Stage-Mobile I have done shows on fabric-sided trailer stages and also own and operate a solid stage. The big disadvantage of fabric sides is that they generally feel less solid and flap around in the wind. It is possible to get mesh fabric, which in theory keeps rain out and lets wind through. This reduces the wind resistance but it means that there is very little shelter on stage, so you definitely want windscreens on all the mics, plus is can be pretty uncomfortable for the performers too. The big advantage with mesh sides is that you can have a roof which winches up. This gives you more operational height whilst keeping the size down when towing. It also means (with some models) that you can hang lighting and drapes etc. at ground level and then winch it up into place. A solid stage is generally nicer to work on, but with limited headroom. One important thing to check out is whether any stage will meet the requirements of whichever local authorities have jurisdiction over you. Our stage had to be tested to 5kN per square metre, i.e. 500kg of static weight. According to the council inspector who oversaw the testing, another local company had purchased a fabric-sided trailer pretty similar to the model that Dick links to. It fell pretty far short of the required capacity, and required some quite expensive strengthening work before it was passed for use. [/QUOTE]

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