Hello Everyone:

Lately I have been giging very often (between 20-34 times at month for the last 5 months) and in most jobs I use:
My EMX 512 SC with 2 EV ZX 190s, in some venues I put them into speaker stands, in the larger venues, I use all 4 EVs, 2 on the floor (for more bass) and 2 in the speaker stands.

I also have a small-medium size suitcase hard-shell for cables, and each pair of speakers also are housed during transportation in a larger suitcase.
I ad my pedal-board in a self-contained small flat case, my Keyboard stand, and the old mighty Rock & Roller R 10, all this I put it into my now 6 year old Honda Element (my bagel toaster), not to attractive, but holds this job very well.

I have put over 130K miles on this car the last 6 years, and still works very well, but I need to think about it's replacement in the hopefully far future, since Honda no longer makes the Element, and also would like to take advantage of the very low APR that most manufacturers are offering. I will hold this car as long it does not begins to nickel and dime me to dead,at the same time, I want to put some $$ away for an added Down-payment.

I wonder who in this forum has a similar setup, and if so, what kind of transportation do you use????

Thank you in advance....

I have a Nissan Rogue SL I love. With the rear seats down I made a platform out of plywood to lay over the entire back so it is even and I can slid things in and out and not rip the fabric. G1000 keyboard in a hard case, Yamaha powered mixer in a hard case, two 12" speakers in bags, a small suitcase with wires, etc. Double Cd mixer and a CD case. (yea I know, I need a laptop) Speakers stands in a bag and a duffle bag with my seat and mic stand. Rack and roller mini (its the only one that will fit)
Check out a Rogue, 4 cyl. but drives very sporty with plenty of power for the AWD
My other choice was a Ford Edge but while it has more cargo room it has much worse gas mileage and actually LESS front seat room for the driver and passenger
Bill in NJ

You can't beat a Mini VAN for Room, Transporting and Versatility. Fold down rear seats, dual side doors, rear lift door, etc etc ..

Dodge Grand Caravan with stow & go works for me.

1997 GMC Jimmy. Does it all. Gigs, lawnmower, chainsaw, axe, 'Round-Up', picnic hamper, and so on. Not all at the same time of course . The latter items are for when we go out to our lake acreage. Anyway, I've had this thing since 2001 and it's mister reliable.

250,000 on it and I'll probably run it into the ground. When I do replace it, I'd look at a four-banger and something that's less of a 'truck'.

I keep a 2008 Scion in the warehouse loaded and ready to go with the basics. This includes a 300 watt Carvin Pa head, two 12" Carvin cabinets, a Hot Spot, A Roland CM-30, a back-up Yamaha PA, a Fender Super champ guitar amp, guitar and piano stands and bench, a case with a couple of light stands and light bars, two bags with a collection of the needed cables, mics, a Gibson 335 and a Nord Stage piano.

I still have room for extras for small jobs. That might include a 2nd keyboard, a Motion Sound top rotor box, additional stringed instruments, more cabinets, etc. On larger jobs, we use another Scion or a Toyota truck with a cover. One of my boys drives that, if necessary. For the really big jobs (I'm talking 4 18" subs, up to 8 15" cabinets, 4 Crowns, up to 6 monitors, more mics, stands, lights, etc.), we use a 6 wheel box truck we normally carry video equipment in.

Guitar magazine did a review of the 2006 Scion and called it the perfect "gig rig". Don Mason uses one of those.

This way, I can just get in and go, without loading up.


Russ

GMC Sonoma 2002 with cap ... looks like this one except my cap has side windows ...

http://img.ca.cars.cozot.com/pics/ca/2012/01/16/2002-GMC-Sonoma-Extended-Cab-2002-20120116182943.jpg

Chrysler Town and Country mini van with stow and go for larger jobs, Chevy HHR with seats folded down for smaller jobs.

I'm using a 2002 Honda Accord SE 4-door sedan...rear seat folds flat, and I can get the Tyros4, stand, bench, speaker stands, and two powered speakers in the car and still have room in front for a passenger.

The Accord SE has front and rear sway bars for great handling even when loaded, and a VTEC 4-cylinder that has lots of power...yet still gives decent mileage...plus, it's paid for.

I haven't needed the use of a van/SUV in many years...my last vehicle was a 1994 Accord with similar specs.

Ian

I use a Dodge Caravan