Compact wagons and rolling racks

[David Rick]

I've got remote gig next week with a tight load-in window. I'm starting to think that my current rig wastes a lot of time, what with cabling and uncabling four four-space racks. OTOH, those four SKB racks work well in my Subaru Outback wagon, which looks a lot like one of those 3D wood puzzles when packed. I don't really want a bigger vehicle (just saw the Al Gore movie...), so I'm wondering if a 16-space rolling rack would work in the Subaru.

Anybody tried this? Does it fit? As a sole practicioner, how the heck would I get it in and out?

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

[mrufino1]

I have a 98 legacy L wagon (I believe it is a hair smaller inside than the outback) and regularly fit a 12 space rolling rack in with space to spare, so it should work, but you may want to measure to make sure. But 12 space definitely fits.

[bishopthomas]

I have a 14 space rack that fits in the back of the CRV with room to spare. It's kind of a tall car and not the easiest to load by myself, and my rack isn't even full. I wanted to go with a 12 space shockmount case, but the case alone weighed about 80 lbs. I do like having everything in one case, but it does make for a good workout. Personally, I'd rather lift one case one time than have to make multiple trips to the car. To get the rack in you may try the "push and slide" technique. Maybe use a packing blanket so you don't scratch your car, but just tilt the rack and push it up the bumper. Definitely get out the tape measure before you commit.

[Remoteness]

The best solution is to put together an exact cardboard version of your rack and see how it fits. If you don't have any extra cardboard lying around you can always go to the nearest supermarket, etc. and grab a bunch of boxes for your dry run experiment.

I've done similar tests with excellent results...

In my experience, doing your own experiemnent always proves to be a better example then someone's suggestion.

[bishopthomas]

Yeah, but how do you mount rack rails in a cardboard box?

[foldback]

I like racks that I can move all by myself because I don't always have an assistant and sometimes there are stairs involved in the load in. I'm constantly up against the inverse age/weight law, the older you get, the lighter the racks need to be.

I like the 8-space classic SKB cases for their combination of light weight and rack space although it is still possible to load them up too heavy. YMMV

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

Yeah, but how do you mount rack rails in a cardboard box?

You must use cardboard rack rails and cardboard outboard gear.
Sometimes it's just best to draw pictures of the rack rails and gear with a Sharpie...

It's a lot less messy that way.

Here's a picture of my new (huge) portable patch bay rack I'm designing for super large productions...


.

[Remoteness]

Here's a straight on view...

.

[Barnabas]

What size cardboard wheels will you put on that cardboard rack?

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Barnabas

What size cardboard wheels will you put on that cardboard rack?

Actually that's the cardboard patch bay rack you see.
The "wheels" shall be mounted to a outsider shell cardboard ATA heavy duty roadcase.
In any event the cardboard wheels are proportional to the size of the "roadcase" my GS friend -- Alway proportional.

[Jim vanBergen]

I have a '98 and an '02. I can fit a 16 RU rack OR a 24RU shock rack no problem. I can't do more than that rackwise, but I CAN fill the open holes with other soft bags, 4 RU SKB-type racks, etc.

To get the racks in & out of the Subaru by myself, I position some carpet remnants (sliders) on the floor of the trunk/hatch. I push the rack up against the back, lean the top in, then get low and lift the bottom of the rack up and out so the front slides in easil. Piece of cake, really... regardless of whether you have a carpeted payload area or the rubber matting, as long as you use carptet as a buffer. I also ALWAYS have more padding to make sure the wheels don't smash the hatch window, which is a serious possibility.

Are you in NYC? I can show you how I do this, otherwise, I suggest you borrow a similar sized rack (EMPTY) and try it that way first. Hope this helps!

Jim

[SixAndChange]

You guys should try being a poor college student rolling your equipment (life) around Brooklyn on the subway trains to and from recording events. FOR FREE.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by SixAndChange

You guys should try being a poor college student rolling your equipment (life) around Brooklyn on the subway trains to and from recording events. FOR FREE.

Look at the big picture my new GS friend.

You're not the only one around here that's been through (or going through) that scene.
I'm sure a fair amount of us have been "poor" college students. Even high school drop outs or maybe even rich folks that hung in there with the down and out, but up and coming engineers and musicians. Lugging equipment around cities (like Brooklyn) via subway trains and such for little to no bread just to make a name for themselves is a bona fide reality for many...

And, it's all relative. Work (train) hard, win easy.

It's what you have to do to make a name for yourself.

IMHO, focus, maturity, hard work is what it takes to be a good recording engineer.
The money thing comes later. It’s your reward after all the blood, sweat and tears.

[bishopthomas]

When I put my rig together I had trains and subways in mind. Everything must go in one trip and either have wheels or ride easily. I feel your pain. I'm not a college student, but I'm poor after spending all my money on gear. At least you'll have a piece of paper with a university stamp on it in a couple (4?) years.

[Jim vanBergen]

Originally Posted by SixAndChange

You guys should try being a poor college student rolling your equipment (life) around Brooklyn on the subway trains to and from recording events. FOR FREE.

Hey Six, you aren't the only one who started like this. My first racks (bought used, or course, like all the gear) had no wheels and travelled via subway. I hear your pain. Wait until you're like me, in your 40s, ,and your body won't let you move the gear like that.

And...I still do gigs for free. I do some for serious $$, but I always have to do gigs for free. That's life, and karma.

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Jim vanBergen

...And...I still do gigs for free. I do some for serious $$, but I always have to do gigs for free. That's life, and karma.

Yep, "Free" is a relative word for sure.

It's all about Karma baby!

[riteup3]

How do you get the loaded rack into the trunk? Rails?
No I am not talking about the cardboard rack

Ron


edit: oops i missed jim's reply. maybe someone else with a diff. solution?

[mrufino1]

Put it on the bumper, flip it up, then push. Easier with two people for sure but (painfully) do-able with one. Also, going up steps I flip my rack end over end. Going down steps is harder but I usually get below it and slide it down on its face. My "portable" studio got much less portable with the rackmount computer instead of a laptop.

[Confusionator]

My only advice: be sure to add up all the weight, too. I built a rack so heavy once that it couldn't even be tipped up into my wagon. Lesson learned....

[Gerax]

Mmmhh nice topic...

I load my 12 rack + other four 4RU racks in my mini SUV, no problem for the space as the backseats can be rolled over, but...I just recoevered from a "major" back ache taht lasted almost 2 months...one of my last gigs was fatal...I loaded the 12 RU alone, and since it's not as tall to be flipped over the bumper I just had to lift it and put it in the trunk...on December 12 with -2C° outside at midnight after a full 14hrs recording day, so I did the wrong move...and I'm in my 30s...which kind of places me in the middle of the weight/age proportion ...anyway, be carefull when loading your gear in the car...it can cost you a few weeks of stop and painfull recovery...

L.G.